Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-03-01
GERMANY'S CASE.

by unified action on the part of the
people.
GERMANY's CASE.
F'rom Tuesdays Daily
Chancellor Won Hertling, in his
speech to the reichstag yesterday, un-
consciously summed up Germany's
case in few words when he declared
that the tribunal of the entire world,
to which President Wilson referred in
his recent address, is prejudiced
against Germany. For this reason, the
chancellor declared, he declines to
submit Germany's cause to that tri-
bunal, knowing already that the ver-
dict would be against him.
Immediately this recalls the old
story of the single sensible juror who
lost patience with the eleven others
because they we're obstinate and I'M
reasonable" But it goes farther and
illustrates most eloquently the ter
rible wages of Germanys sins. Ad-
hitting that the world, as court and
jury, would decide against Germany,
the chancellor convicts the world it.
self of unfairness and prejudice and
insists that only Germany is right.
Doubtless he is unable to discern
the illogical attitude in, which his
speech places him, his government
and and its people. German egotism
blinds him to the fact which is so
patent to the rest of the world.
Schooled in the doctrines Of the
Honhenzollern militarism. he has
preached those doctrines SO long that
he has grown to believe them himself.
The kaiser can do no wrong, in his
opinion, and in that opinion he agrees
with the remainder of the German
public, if indications count for any,
thing.
The world is "prejudiced" against
Germany, perhaps, because Germany
has murdered women and children, de-
spoiled peaceful communities, wrecked
churches and religious shrines. poi.
soned non-combatants, impressed cap.
tured people from occupied territory,
Knocked Christianity, violated woman
hood, broken every tenet Of the laws
of nations and civilization, plotted the
destruction of every government but
Germany's and the enforcement of
''kultur'' which proclaims Ger
many and Germans a nation Of super
men, whose every act must be perfect
and unassailable because it emanates
from superior race.
And so, this "prejudiced" world
holds no promise OF arbitration for the
German chancellor, and it must first
admit Germany's course in the war
has been above reproach before he
can submit his case to it for judgment
or arbitration.
AS this remarkable doctrine was be-
ing laid down before the reichstag
yesterday. Germans were looting Rus
STA, completing the devastation Of Bel.
GUM and parts Of France, forcing cap
tive men and women in Italy to do
mental tasks, urging the Turk to his
indescribable crimes which are
equalled only by the crimes of the
Germans themselves. AS Won Hert-
ling talked, agents Of his government
were spreading throughout Germany
the kaiser's plea for lateral mar
riages," which violate the most sacred
laws Of civilization and Christianity
AS he talked, Germany's war lords
were planning new outrages to be
practiced on the peoples Of the ter
ritory toward which they will point
their sullen armies in the spring drive.
AS he talked, Germany's submarines
were lying in wait along the ocean
lanes, like beasts of prey. to trap I'm.
wary sea captains and add to the hist
of innocent non-com batants who have
been sacrificed to the kaisers lust for
world power
The world is prejudiced against
Germany, but not because the world
lacks a sense of fairness and a judg-
ment Of right. Rather it is because
these are the worlds I, possessions.
which, fortunately, can M. be seized
like chattels by a race gone mad with
the desire to rule by ruthlessness.
The prejudice is based on actual
knowledge Of the crimes which stand
against the record Of Germany
crimes which Germany herself admits
and attemp,t to condone. She has
even ceased to deny the charges that
were made early in the war and
branded then. by Germans, as lies.
Admitting her wrongs, Germany de-
scribes them as right because they are
of Germany, and attempts to justify
them by ascribing them to military
necessity.
This is Germany's standing before
the world tribunal and before the Gre
ator. And the best description Of
the Germany of today is that it can
not discern the confession Of guilt
which the chancellor made in his
speech OF yesterday