Evening journal., 1918-05-08

. uedull
Referring 70 the same episode.
The new Empire, In waglng such
war, would have started on the road
on which the first and second French
Empires. in a continuous policy Of war
and prestige, went 10 meet destruction.
Europe would have seen I'm our action
an abuse Of the power we had acquired.
and eyeryone's hand would
have been raised against Germany or
would have been on the swofd-hit.
"Gcdanken und Erlnnerungen, vol. II,
pp i75, i76.
Referring to strained relations with
Russia.
II were TO come before you and say
We are seriously menaced by France
and by Russia: IL is TO he foreseen that
we shall be attacked: that is my con-
viciion as a dipl0matst, according TO
military information II Is better for our
defense TO employ the anticipatory
thrust OF the attack and open hostili-
ties at once: accordingly, ! ask the I'm
perlal Diet for credit Of a milliard
OF marks in order 10 start the war
against both our neighbors- well, gem
/ tlemen, ] do not know whether You
have sufficient confidence in me TO vote
such a grant. hope not. 1t
win be very hard TO make it clear TO
/ the provinces. to the federated states
and their people, that the war is in
eyitable. that it has 10 be- The ques-
tion viii be asked Are you quite sure
Of this? Who knows n
in the end we proceed TO attack, the
whole weight OF the imponderables,
which weigh much heavier than ma
teral weights, will be on the side OF
our enemies whom we have attacked
Holy Russia" viii be enraged by the
attack. France will bristle 10 the Py-
rennes with weapons The same thing
will happen everywhere A war into
which we are not carried by The will
Of the people will not have
behind It the same dash and, fire as a
war in which we are attacked This
advantage we must not permit to es-
cape us, even II at the moment we are
superior OF an unfayorable
moment, we shall be strong enough for
our defense. And we shall keep the
chance of peace, leaving it to Divine
Providence TO determine whether in the
meantime the necessity OF war may
not disappear.
Bismarck, Speech in the Reichstag,
February 6, 1898.
As regards the question whether u
is advisable, in view OF war which we
shall probably have to face sooner or
later to bring II on by anticipating the
enemy before he secures better arma-
ment, ] have always opposed
the theory that answers in the affirm
ative It is my conviction that even
victorious wars are defensible only
when they are forced upon us, and thai
no one can get any such look into thC
cards held by Providence as to reckon
out in advance the movement OF his
ltory.
"Gedanken,und Erinnerungen." vol, II
.. 81.
against Military Domination and Per
= sOnal AutOcracy.
The following utterances OF Bismarcl
p date from the reign OF William II.
lt Is natural that. in the general stat
OF the army, not only younger ofllcer
Of ambition but also strategists Of ex
perience should feel the desire to turi
to account and 10 make clear on tn
, pages OF history the efficiency OF th,
troops they lead and their own capac
ity for leadership. II would be regret
81 table II the warlike spirit did not thu
; permeate the army. The duty Of keep
ing the effects Of this spirit within TIT
! limits which the need Of the people fol
peace may justly demand. rests upoI