New-York tribune., 1918-02-25
Professor Veblen Sees Profit
In Submission to Kaiser
Instructor Missouri University in Book Indorses Surren
der Policy" Amazingly Damnable Says
Henry Wise Wood

Iulness was dictated by we'll advised
view to economy of effort in reducing
the subject people to state of abb ject
intimidation, according to the art Of
war as set forth in the manuals;
whereas, latterly, the somewhat profit
gate excesses of the government of oc-
cupation Germany have been dictat-
ed by military convenience, particu-
larly by the need of forced labor and
the desirability of a reduced popula-
tion in the acquired territory.
$50 also the personally conducted
dealings with the Armcnians by use
! of the Turks should probably also best
be explained as an endeavor to de-
crease the number of undesirable popu-
lation beforehand, without incurring
unnecessary blame
"All these things are, at the most
misleading indications of what the i'm
peral policy (of Germany would be
like under settled conditions and in the
absence of insubordination.
Admits Theft Policy
"The case of Belgium and the meas
ures looking to the reduction of its
! population may raise a doubt, but
probably not we'll taken doubt. 1t is
rather that since it has become evident
that the territory cannot be held it is
thought desirable to enrich the Faith
erland with whatever property can be
removed and to consume the accumu-
lated man power of Belgium in the SER
vice Of war. 1t would appear that it
is war measure designed to make use
Of the enemy's resources for HIS defeat.
"Indeed, under conditions of settled
occupation or subjection any degree of
such depopulation would entail an
economic loss, and any we'll considered
administrative policy would therefore
look to the maintenance of the inhabi-
tants of the acquired territories in un-
diminished numbers and unimpaired
scrviceabilty"
"There should be some gain of in
sight and sobriety in recalling that the
intellectuals Of the Fatherland," con-
tinues Professor Veblen, "who have
pondered this matter longer and more
spassionately than all other men,
have spoken very highly of the merits
of such q plan of universal submission
to the rule of this German dynastic
establishment
Earnest Consideration"
"They had no doubt been consider
ing the question both long and earnest
ly as to what would in the light of
reason eventually be to the best in
terest of those peoples whose manifest
destiny was eventual tutelage under the
imperial (Gcrman) crown.
"lt is true the captious have been
led to speak slightingly of the many
utterances of this tenor coming out of
the community of (German) intel
lectuals but no unprej JUDGED
reader can we'll escape the persuasion
that these utterances . are faith
fully to be accepted as the expressions
of a profound conviction and a con-
sclously generous spirit of men
who are in position to see human
affairs and interests in larger per-
spective."
The Same Old Story
Mr. Wood said yesterday:
professor Veblen's thoughts, logic
and arguments are of the sort that
started the Huns on their present mis-
sion to conquer the world. To such
thoughts may be traced Belgium's ter
rlble experience, Frances suffering the
fate of the Tuscana
Reputable publishers must begin
censoring their products. Professors
like Veblen must be driven from the
colleges"
Professor Vcblen was graduated
from Carleton College in 1880, and fur
ther studied at Johns Hopkins and
Yale. Before going into his present
position at the University of Missouri
he had taught economies at the Uni
versity of Chicago and Leland Stan
! ford University