Evening journal., 1918-05-08

Bismarck, "Gedanken und Erinnerun-
gen vol. III. p 2e3.
Bulgaria Is assuredly not an object Of
sufficient magnitude that. on its account
Europe from Moscow to the Pyrennes
and from the Baltic to Palermo should
be hurried into a war OF which no one
ran foresee the issue. In the end, after
The war, we should hardly know what
We had been lighting about.
Bismarck, Speech in the Reichslag,
February 6, 1888
Against War with Russia.
The "Kreuzzeitung' speaks of prepar-
alton for the great decisive struggle
between Slavs and Teutons. For such
a struggle 10 is necessary to be prepared,
but II will never be decisive. As little
as the subsection OF nearly all Europe
under Napoleon ] led TO a definite SET
Element between Latins and Teuions, so
little will any finally decisive struggle
take place between Slays and Teutons
and we do not believe that Providence
has set these two great nations side
by side without design, or with the
design that one should become subject
to the other.
To prevent an unnecessary outbreak
Of war between Germany and Russia
must remain the chief task Of German
staiecraft
Hofmann, "Furst Bismarck" col II,
pp. i24, 1875.
With Russia we need never have war
unless liberal stupidities or dynastic
blunders fslsify the situation.
Bismarck, "Gedanken und Erinnerun-
gen, vol. /, p. 22i.
Against Attacking France.
II is my opinion that the historical
controversy which has been pending be
tween us and France for three cen
turtles is not ended At the mo-
ment we are in possession OF The do=
iect in dispute, If / may so describe
Alsace; we do not need to fight for IT,.
Even the outbreak Of war
would be a great calamity. Quite apart
from its outcome. think what it would
mean for us. Our whole trade on land
and at sea, all our industrial undertak-
ings would be crippled And
we must be prepared for the chance OF
defeat; ! am not so tlmid as TO antici-
pate 1t. but the possibility Is indisputa-
BILE France Is a great and
powerful country, as powerful as we
are; France has a warlike people, a
brave people. and has always had able
military leaders. It Is chance. il they
succumb'to us. II we should be
beaten, II the victorious enemy should
stand in Berlin. as we stood in Paris
II we were forced TO accept his condi-
tions Of peace-well gentlemen, what
would these conditions be7
Bismarck, Speech In the Reichstag
jan A, 1887.
Against Making War in Anticipation o.
War.
In 1867. when Moltke urged war OF
the Luxembourg question, Bismarcl
said
The personal conviction OF a ruler o
statesman, however well formed, that
war will break out at some future time
cannot Justify starting such a war. In
foreseen occurrences may change th
situation and avert what seems inevlta
Bile.
"Denkwurdikeiten des Grafen vol
Moltke," vol Y. pp. 297 ct seq.
Referring to rumors that German,
contemplated an attack on France VI
1875. Bismarck said in the Reichstae
February 9, 1876:
Imagine for yourselves the situation
II, year ago. ! had appeared here be
fore you and had explained to you
We must wage war; really cannot Civ
you any special reason why we shOul
do 50 we have not been insulted, bu
there is a dangerous state Of things
we have for neighbors a lot OF power
ful armies: the French army is organ
izing itself in a disturbing manner
would you not have felt a strong In
clinatiOn to send for a physician, {,
have me Investigated, to ascertain how
], after long experience in politics
could have psrpelrated this colossa
idiocy-tO appear before you and say
70 is possible that In a few years we
may be attacked; in order no prevent
this, LET us fall rapidly upon our
neigffbors and hew them into heaps
before they can pull themselves to-
gether-inviting you. in a way, TO COM
NIT suicide because Of apprehension Of