The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-03-25
LITERARY MEN
 SHAPE POLICIES
 OF THE GERMANS


 the entrance of the United States in the world war. It is almost incon- ceivable that any sane American who thoroughly understands the is. sues at stake can hesitate for one second to give our government his unreserved support.
 But since there are those who do not agree with the majority for vari- ous reasons, it seems that an at tempt to show the attitude of the ruling class in Germany toward the world might to some extent clear the situation.
 In considering Germany's attitude or state of mind 1t Is therefore i'm portant to examine the influences that have been at work in the Ger. man empire and which are directing her policies today.
 Among the German writers who have borne a great part in shaping Germany's policies the names of Trietschke and Bernhardi stand out pre-eminently. Germany's greed fol a place in the sun dates from tho time Trietschke began his teachings in that country.
 Bernhardi's ideas conform with those of the older man, and his ef- forts to impress them upon the peo pie have been no less assiduous. 7,
 Let us, then, consider the writ. ings of these two men as the most plausible means of arriving at Ger many's attitude or state of mind.
 The underlying thought through all of their writings is that Germany Is intellectually superior to any nation in existence and that she must by force of arms or other means domi- nate the entire world. They teach that she is compelled by Divine duty to enforce German "kultur" on all other nations, and more especially the smaller, weaker nations of Flu. rope.
 Beruhardi says: For long time the German people have proven themselves to be the ruling clas> of Europe by the power of their arms and the loftiness of their ideas. The Germans are born business men, more than any others in the world. These were the considerations which induced me to study war from the standpoint of civilization and to study its relation to the great tasks of the present and future which provi dence has set before the German people as the greatest civilized peo- pie known to history"
 Not only do they consider them selves intellectually superior and bound by providence to assert thei, superiority over nations, but they consider it their right and duty to use war as the only moral weapon in gaining this end. In this con nection Treitschke says: "War is to be conceived as an ordinance set by God It is the greatest maker of nations; it is politics par excellence" Bernhardi says: "Only those wh- share my conception of the dutic and obligations of the German peo- pie will realize that they can only be filled by drawing the sword !" And further. "War is a biological necessity of the first importance; a regulative elemen, in the life of mankind which can not be dispensed with, since without it an unhealthy development will follow which ex- cludes every advancement of real civilization" These conceptions Of war might be accepted by us if they applied only to wars for re- polling invasions or to wars unnec- both Treitschke and Bernhardi a. well as the entire military class Of Germany believe in war as an ir- strument of God sent especially to Germany that she may expand and that she may find new fields foi German thought and Gernan com merce. They look upon war as 2 religion, as the noblest activity in which nation can engage. not a" a means to an end. but almost ac an end in itself
 Further than regarding war as essential to the growth of civiliza- tion. they ridicule. peace as a sign of weakness in any nation, and not only foolish but immoral. Dcrnhardi says: "The abolition of war must not only be termed foolish. but ah. solutely immoral, and must b. stir matized as unworthy of the human race"
 In speaking of settling interna- tional disputes by arbitration. h. says: "The whole idea represent presumptuous encroachmont on tn natural law of development With the cessation of unrestricted compe- tition, whose ultimate appeal is to arms. all real progress will soon be checked and a moral and intel lectuaJ stagnation will ensue which must end in degeneration"
 Germany has taught war in he cchooIc che has praa chod war fror,