The twice-a-week Twin Falls times. (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1916-1918, 1918-03-19
YEARS OF PREPARATION
(V. G. Backman)

In reading James w Gerard's
book. My Four Years in Germany"
many noticeable facts are brought to
light, and among them, a few facts
which show how deeply laid we're the
war schemes of Germany. We will
examine some of these revelations.
"All during this winter Germans
from the highet down tried to i'm
press me with the great danger
which they said threatened America
from Japan. The military and naval
attaches and | we're told that the
German information system sent news
tlSat Mexico was full of Japanese
colonies and America of Japanese
spies. Possibly much of the preju-
dice in America against the Japanese
was cooked up by the German propa-
gandists, whom we later learned to
know so we'll"
That there was purpose in Ger
many's attempt to get the eyes Of
America fixed on Japan, there is lit
tie room for doubt A nation can
hardly look at two objects of such
import at once, as Germany and
Japan, Germany hoped to withdraw
her notice from herself, that she
might continue to push her propa-
ganda of insurrection, doubt and i'm
morality among American citizens
without hinderance, as well as pur-
sue her war preparations at home
unnoticed. She nearly succeeded
Government ownership of public
utilities and government control of
newspapers even in times of peace
have helped largely to bring the peo-
pie of Germany within the confines of
exact obedience to the government,
in order to obtain necessary advan-
tages.
The social caste idea, with the am
bition for social recognition and dis
tinction which has become such an
exacting ambition of the people Of
Germany has done much to cause the
people to show respect for the royals,
and the higher ups, for if by chance
no distinction is given a man of in
fluence and wealth. that is no dis
tinction of titled or social attainment
Gerard says, There must be some
thing in his life which prevents his
obtaining the coveted distinction and
if there is anything in a mans past,
If he has shown at any time any; spir-
it of opposition to the government as
disclosed by the police registers which
are kept written up to date about
every German citizen, then he has no
chance of obtaining any of these dis
tinctions which make up so much of
the social life of Germany"
One can readily see the effect of
this system and this attitude in re-
gard to war preparations. The gov
eminent land it must be remembered
that we are here speaking of a gov
eminent whose power is vested in the
arbitrary dictations of a few royal
ties) is given full control and sway
over the ambitions or thoughts OF it's
subjects.
But this deep laid system of mill
tarism and autocracy goes even far
Their back than the social and gov
ernmental systems: it is embodied in
the education of the German youth.
From the time when he is four years
old the German is disciplined and
taught that his government is the
only good and effective form. Their
games and their walks are superin-
tended by their teachers who are al
ways inculculating in them reverence
and awe for the military heroes of
the past ,and present. On Saturday
night the German boy is turned over
by the state paid school teacher to
the state paid pastor who adds divine
authority to the principles of rever-
ence for the German system These
words of Gerard speak sufficient to
reveal the whole significant situation
Listen to the following quotations
We make no comment upon them:
Il am convinced that the fear OF
war induced by a hereditary instinct
caused the mass of the Germans to
become tools and dupes of those who
played upon this very fear in order
to create military autocracy."
DANES w. Gerard
Above all let both tutors exert
themselves to the utmost to inspire
him with a love of soldiery and care.
fully impress upon his mind that as
nothing can confer honor and fame
upon prince except a sword. the
monarch who seeks not his sole sat.
isfaction in it must ever appear 9
contemplate character in the eyes Of
the world
Frederick the Great)
All his life the glittering Emper.
or and his generals had planned anc
thought of war; and the Crown
Prince, surrounded by his remark.
able collection of relics and remind
ers of Napoleon, dreamed only o.
taking the lead in a successful wal
of conquest"
Games w. Gerard)