The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-01-30

. times, lie despised culture ana hdheres
TO the Spartan idea of man, He i
the greatest who Ia th cstrongest' kins
Frederick had mania for big soldier
and recruited an army of the tallest anc
strongest men in Europe, calling then
the "Potsdam Giants" lie used every
means TO secure such men outside OF his
own country. The king did much to con
solidate the power OF Prussia and extend
ed his dominion considerably and at his
death left an army of $4,000 of the
strongest men in all Europe. Frederick
II. now comes 10 the throne, and is a
born genius for war, and with the army
created by his father becomes a terror
in Europe and IL is spoken OF as "walk-
ing battery" and asserts that one Prus-
sian Is equal 10 three adversaries. Fred
erick had an opportunity TO demonstrate
his coveted military strength in two
great wars. The "War of the Austrian
SUGGESTIONS" and the "Sevcn Years
War" In these two engagements the
results OF which placed Prussia in first
rank among the powers of Europe,
Frederick William l.. now better known
as Frederick the Great, who had proved
himself a very efficient military comman-
der and wise administrator, is often
referred 10 as one of the great rulers of
the age; but his private life bears the
traces of savagery and according to the
words of his own daughter (Wilhelminal
their father made life in the royal cas-
tie perfect hell" The old saying that
blood is thicker than water" proves
this to be fact with the future rulers
of Germany.
The death of Charles VI without male
issue put an end to the house of Haps
burg. and there at once arose dispute
respecting the succession TO the domin
ions Of the house of Austria, which re-
suited in the war of the Austrian sue
cessions.
The prior agreement, known as the
Pragmatic sanction, was no longer re-
garded effectual and Prussia at once laid
claim to portions of the Hapsburg in
heritance. Fredericks father was the
important ruler who guaranteed the
Pragmatic sanction.
Frederick of Prussia at once marched
his army into Selesia and took possession
by force, and afterwards declared to be
an act of brigandage. How well pre-
served is this spirit of early Prussia in
the modern Germany
Frederick H.. by his greed for terri |
tory. had kindled confagration that |
was destined to spread throughout Eu-
rope. Macaulay refers to this step OF
Frederick's as one "in order that he may |
rob brother or neighbor.
This trouble went on until l74S, when
peace was declared and to Frederick of
Prussia was given Selesia.
As we review the history of Frederick
and his dealings with his brother SOW
ereigns, we find that he did whatever he
thought would aggrandize Prussia and
secure greater glory to himself, having
no regard for truth, honesty or honor,
and aside from all this, Frederick ii.
holds first place among the enlightened
iespots of Europe.
During the eight years following the
peace of l74s, Frederick lost no time in
developing the resources of his kingdom
and perfecting the discipline of his army
Tor the next great struggle with Austria.
Maria Theresa of Austria, realizing her
umpire to be in danger, formed league Il
If the chief European powers against
Frederick H.; but he contended alone
against the combined armies of over half |
he continent (how similar the .disposi-
ion of the kaiserl. At first his army
vas victorious, but when his dominions
,egan to be drained of men ruin seemed
o confront his army and he himself be- ]
ran to realize that he could no longer
Iold the armies of his enemies at bay,
arried about his person poison to use
when his last effort should be made and |
allied Fortune seemed to be with Fred
rick, for at this very time the empress /,
t Russia died and Peter III. came to the !
russian throne who was an admirer of
III. and at once transferred his !,
rmy to the side of Prussia, declaring
hat together we will conquer the whole
'orld" In 1914 Emperor William III.
ad the same motto in mind This ALI \
nee only lasted short time, for Peter f
as murdered by his wife, Catherine, b
no at once recalled the army of Russia. d
owever, this short alliance greatly aid fl
Frederick and a peace was finally con- W
uded which gave Prussia the long de Il
red ascendancy over Austria. IL
Frederick II. declared in his last days
lat he was the first servant of the state
nd If II had more than one life to live,
would give it TO my fatherland" Here
G trace the German devotion expressed w
the word fatherland. ri
When Napoleon made his memorable a
arch through the countries cf Europe M
I'd demonstrated to the world his great i
ilitary genius, the Prussian leaders. lie
ter the battles of Jean and Auerstadt sh
ere quick to take over the excellent pa
atures of Napoleon's military plan of
lrfare and instill it into the military is
e of Prussia. When Germany set ont ST
conquer the countries of Europe three 70
ars ago, she demonstrated the same in
an as Napoleon used more than CEN TO
nv before: but it failed in its far
aching ideals. The rapid advance of in
'ilization had rendered the situation REL
lch different than that experienced by is
poleon; the march of time had brought W
? people to greater understanding of sci
Tvs and means to resist an invasion. an
Step by step the reorganization went
until 1850, when Frederick William Gel
granted to the people their demands he
constitutional government after an
inv demonstrations of blocdshed in ev'
Rim. henceforth Prussian history is CHI
rman history. In the year 1861 Fred lar
ok William " of Prussia died and OF
brother, then an old man, came to TIN
throne as William |. and Otto Won Tor
marck was selected premier. It was
policy of these men to strengthen an.
Prussian army, for they foresaw that haI
question of supremacy must be set Ias
4 by blood and iron. Straightway the y
.hies became a bone of contention and si''
marcl was auxious 10 annex them TO arr