Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-26
GEOGRAPHY AS
A CAUSE OF WAR
Germany's Position Led to Pre-
paredness, Says DR.. j.
Russell Smith

NIETHY did Germany provide herself with
w a great military machine and how
did she develop it?" This question, asked
over and over again since the outbreak Of
the war, was answered by DR.. J. Russell
Smith, professor of industry, in a recent lee
ture on English Individualism and Ger
man Collectivsm" at the Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania.
"The geographical location of Germany
alone Is responsible for the development of
its wonderful military machine and pos
sbly even the war" said Doctor Smith.
For the same reason England was un-
prepared and delayed In its development
England is big island surrounded by the
sea- Germany is Inland surrounded, con-
fined and, the German thinks, squeezed in
by other countries. It has no chance to
expand, but that is not the main reason
for its miltarlsm. d.
For centuries Germany has been the
battle-ground for the ravages of tribes, clans
and countries. Throughout the ages it has
been sacked, pllaged and insulted. Eng
land, on the other hand, protected by the
seas, has escaped molestation, excepting for
the visits of occasional bands of pirates
who visited the isles and made way with
what stun they could.
Germany and England have the same
climate and the same resources but you
will find that the Englshman demands in
dividual rights, while the German submits
to organization. Why? Because England
has been free and open; Germany has been
subject to invasions.
When Berlin Was Sacked
1.-THE sacking of Berlin by the Russians
in 1870 was the greatest asset to the MILL
tary development of the Germans that his
tory has recorded. The looting of the
capital has been kept before the German
mind ever since. Never again should this
be repeated; hence we have a reason for
the building up of defensive strength
I'm 1904 after Napoleon had conquered
and subdued vast areas of Europe he was
ready to assail London. But little silvery
area lay between England and the main
land-the sea, He must use a feet to make
the conquest OF England.
"All was In readiness. Napoleon paced
up and down the shore like lion, waiting
for his fleet to come; impatient to get at
London. He waited and waited. But the
fleet never came. Nelson had in the mean
while encountered Napoleon's ships and
beaten them. England was saved. In the
Napoleonic wars Prussia was sacked
Inundated and insulted. while England had
not been molested. Germany had been
taught a great lesson. She had come to
realize the necessity OF self-defense. and
to this end she has utilized every resource
human and material. Scientific develop
ment is the key to an understanding Of
Germany.
To DEFEND ana make herself powerful
she needed trained men. In training her
| men she began with education and Ger
many leads the world in education. She
| rewards scientific attainment as the United
States and England do not. Her universi-
ties have developed and taught physics and
| chemistry, and these sciences are the
| making OF manufacture. She thus came
naturally by her position OF leadership in
| chemical manufacture.
"The cessation Of German trade caused
| by the war brought great disturbance 10
the American supplies OF dyestuffs. drugs,
Photographic supplies, potash and other
| chemicals. Thus Germanys meaRer sup
| ply of poor brown coal is made usable by
| being compressed into briquettes. The
| Diesel engine, which uses crude petroleum
| In place OF gasoline, Is a German univer-
sIty product. SO is the Zeiss glass thar
makes nearly all the high-class lenses In
| the world.
Agricultural Science
Thus we see how she went about her
education and the results she has. And
this was one great step in developing her
people for defense.
"Agriculture is equally scientific. on her
| area which Is smaller than that OF Texas
| germany has twenty-six more experiment
! atatlons than are 10 be found Ia the whole
UNITED states. The utillzatlou OF the beet
| and the potato Il q triumph of great ma.
, tlonal lrnportonce. her rough Land - mo4'