Evening journal., 1918-05-01
PUBLISHERS, PREFACE

PUBLISHERS PREFACE
With few exceptions, the extracts in
cluded in this collection are taken di-
rectly from the Germans Where stand
ard English TRANSACTIONS are cited, the
passages selected have been compared
with the original texts and, in some
instances, the wording has been chang
ed for the sake OF greater fidelity.
The arrangement is based. In the
main, on that Of a similar but much
smaller French compilation, "Juges par
eux-memes" paris. Berger-Levrault,
1916, xii, i02 pp.): and this has been
found useful also In drawing attention
TO some Of the less known German
books and pamphlets published before
the German World War. The scope Of
the present collection is, however, much
broader. The French pamphlet, for ex-
ample, has no such chapter headings
as "Utterances OF Captains OF Industry
and Commerce" lchapter VII utter
ances OF Party Leaders" (chapter viii.
"Utterances Regarding America" (chap-
ter X, or Reactions and Protests
(chapter xi or the material presented
in "Juges par eux-memes" little direct
use has been made. In a few cases In
which the German texts cited are not
at present accessible in New York, pas
sages have been translated from the
French text. In every such case the
source is indicated.
Much valuable material has been
drawn from a recent Swiss compilation
by s. Grumbach, "Das annexionistlsche
Deutschland: Fine Sammlung Won Do
kumenten die seit dem August 1914 in
Deutschland Offentlch oder geheim YER
h~ofIoF tssrtrflor fDonof & Co qucqnup
1917; X, All pp). OF the annexationist
utterances since the outbreak Of the
war that are cited in the present col
lection, nearly all are directly extracted
from, or have been verified by cOmpar-
ison with, the texts given by Mr.. Grum-
bach. This acknowledgment covers in
particular the second section Of chap
ter iii the third section OF chapter iv,
and chapters vi and vii. Similar ac-
knowledgment is due as regards the
anti-annexationist utterances cited in
chapter xi. This general statement must
take the place Of specific references 10
Mr.. Grumbach's valuable compilation,
except where use has been made OF his
explanatory notes. In such cases spe-
oinc references are given
Since the Russian Revolution, and in
consequence OF the peace program faV-
owed by Socialist groups in many coun-
tries-groups which seem to be espe-
clally influential in the new Russia
the question Of "anneXations and IN
IDENTITIES" tmore properly the question
OF conquests and OF spOliationsl mas
assumed increasing prominence. Evi-
dence Of widespread German lust tor
loot movable and immovable, and for
monetary ransom. such as will be found
abundantly valuable and timely. The
protests cited In chapter xi are also OF
interest. and for several reasons nrsi'
because they give comforting assurance
that even in the Germany Of today there
Is a decent, sane and-let US hope
saving remnant; next, because nearly
all the Germans who protest against
German megalomania and greed empha-
size the general prevalence OF the no
fions and desires which they combat
last, because the governmental enorts
TO suppress these protests Indicate more
clearly than any direct utterances OF
rulers or Of statesmen what IS the reai
attitude Of Imperial Germany.
A study Of this anneXationist anu
anti-annexationist literature VIII snow
also what value is to be attached 70
recent German official disclaimers OF
desire to make "anneNauohs. llu
So,1aranties and securities" which the
German Imperial government support,
ed by a dominant public OPINION sun
demands represent elestlc clailhs con-
ceoled under a phrase that is equally
Attractive and vague. This phrase has
been used from the beginning OF the
war as a euphemism for annexations
Rightly interpreted, it has satisfied even
the pan-Germanist. The reader Of the
present collection will lnd that the mill
farv and economic security OF the Ger
man Empire requires German control
Of Belgium and Of the northern coasl
Of France as far as Boulogne. II re
ouires also the annexation OF broad
strip OF eastern France, Including tht
iron ore beds west Of Metz, and th'
fortresses Of Verdun and Belfort. Ac'
cording 70 some writers-and these nc
obscure fanatics-it requires the annex
alton Of TOulon and the suppression o.
the French war navy. in the East mill
tary and economic security requires th'
annexation Of even greater stretches o.
Russian territory. Tho military anG
economic security Of Germany demands
similar security for Austria and FOL
Turkey. and an equally thorough re
construction Of the map Of southeast
ern Europe and Of southwestern Asia
The political security Of Germany re
ouires that the millions Of Slavs, Bel
gians and Frenchmen who are to b.
forced under German rule shall hay'
no influence upon the destinies Of tn
German Empire. They are to be second
class Germans-subjects, not citizens o
the Empire. Finally, economic security
for Germany, in the judgment OF cap
..tains OF industry and commerce and o
Mrofessors Of political economy, de
mands not only political control OF wild