The sun., 1918-07-28

1ormS he had to labor or Starve. This
alternative was probably his salvation, for
it quickened his instinct of self -preserva-
ton. So arose the mighty civilization of
the Occident and in this manner the An
glo-Saxon became the maker of history.
But the Teuton remained at home,
hemmed in geographically and mentally
by the gloomy forests and reeking mists
of the northland, apparently Indifferent
TO the possibilities of meagre colonial
ton, let alone the expansion of national
resources. Out Of this apathy he was
destined to be called by Frederick the
Great, the founder of Prussianism. 1t
was with no little concern that Frederick
and his successors faced the problem of
making nation. The splendid example
of Roman solidarity meant nothing TO
these arrogant, vengeful, individualistic
Germans; indeed their spirit of indie
pendence was a serious hindranee to the
constitution of any form of governmental
control. Gradually, however, they were
taught that the safety of the individual
lay not in his good right arm, but in the
safety of the State. Self-preservation
through State preservation was the watch
word of the doctrine. The individual
must be defensive soldier citizen, ready
to protect the State and thereby his own
self interests. For years and generations
all the forces of education and compul-
sion-the press, the pulpit, the forum, the
school, the university, the Government it
self-were devoted to the induction of this
one idea into the German mind. Thus
Germany came to be a nation and a
European Power.
Pernicious Tendencies TraceabIe.
The pernicious tendencies of such
doctrine are easily traceable. If the COM
mon consciousness which moulded Roman
citizens into a powerful organism was
absent, being foreign to the German tenn
permanent, Frederick at least established
the common conviction that the individ-
ual is safest when he cooperates most
willingly with a strongly centralized gov
'.
But with this fundamental conviction
came others, adroitly directed by guiding
minds but no less fatal in their cOnse-
quences-that Germany was and must re-
main a militaristic nation; tlAt her ends
and utility are achieved in war and not
in peace; that the stimulus 10 patriotism
is less keen amid pacific conditions than
amid martial activities; that war is the
most effieacious and therefore legitimate
means of building civilization; that ma
tions cannot live side by side in mutual
trust and security. 1t was also but u
step to still other, more deleterious con-
victions. Military efficiency must have
an outlet for its developed powers. SO
the lust for conquest, the idea of SUI
premacy, the passion for world dominion
were only the natural offspring Of the
mother spirit of defensive service How
could Germany subscribe sincerely TO the
articles of the Hague tribunal? How
hollow and hypocritical ring her pacific
assurances! Peace is hindrance to the
very system of which German civilization
has been constructed.
But how can an enlightened modern
nation be capable Of the atrocities which
are ascrlbed to Germany? Let us try
to see more specifically.
Masses Will Believe Anything.
1t is doubtful if any people Is 50 i'm
pressed and controlled by the uttcrances
of its great men as Germany. They speak
with authority and thus come 10 create
and voice the will of the masses There
is no public opinion in Germany as it
exists in America, where individuals think
for themselves and experts" are power
less To originate or maintain beliefs which
the popular heart does not like and share
We have little reverence for men of
scholarship or ideas unless they touch
the great springs of humanity which
throb in the pulse of the great and small,