New-York tribune., 1919-03-18
The German Myth


form changes from time to time most
opportunely, but its root idea is always
the same, namely, that the Germans
shall not be held responsible for the
consequences of their own acts--there-
fore, an idea of immunity.
One of the strangest forms of this
myth was that Germany, though she
had undertaken to conquer the world,
was herself to be spared the humiliation
of utter defeat. She might lose the war,
but she could not be expected to sur
render. That was somehow, for reasons
all taken for granted, quite unthinkable.
In the last four months of our partici-
patton in the struggle there arose, spon~
taneously, a popular demand for un-
conditional surrender. The thought was
treated at first incredulously by the
American government, and then with
sort of Indifferent tolerance, as a mani
festation of harmless hysteria. The Off
cial notion was that the use of the sword
was only to open the German mind to
the benefits of diplomacy.
If you were one of those who went
about crying for unconditional sur
render you were told that 70,00O,OOO
people couldn't surrender. Besides, they
wouldn't They would fight to the last
man. And if you accepted the logic Of
that situation, saying, The choice be
theirs you were dismissed with horror,
as one who had proposed the moral and
physical impossibiity of destroying TO-
100000 people.
The same anguished moralists are now
representing it to be our first business
TO save those 100000 from self-de-
struction in the cauldron Of BoIshevism.
When the Germans at last were worse
beaten than anybody knew, and ready to
surrender, they embraced the fourteen
points. Diplomacy was their refuge
Then new form of the myth appeared.
It was argued that Germany must be
admitted to the league of nations-not
because she had embraced the fourteen
points, which stipulated for league of
nations, but because-nark it!-because
she would be too dangerous outside of it.
The absurdity Of admitting a criminal
nation to d league Of peace on no better
.redentials than her power for evil was
not what made that form of the myth so
transient The military terms of the
arTnistice SO greatly impaired the Ger
man power that the ground went out
from under the argument
The myth itself persists in a more
mister and subtle forn-the present
form-which is that Germany must be-
5aved.
Saved for what?
To ask that question is like having
asked why she shouldn't surrender or
perish 1t is evident that you do not
understand great and rnomentous mat
ters. Besides, that isn't the question.
You should ask, From what?" The
answer to that is ready: Germany must
be saved FROM
Firstly, Bolshevism, by means Of
food.
Secondly, from economic disaster. bv
means of restored trade privileges.
Thirdly, from thinking the world de-
Slres revenge The means to this end ara
Christian spirit and an agreement
1mong the victors not to exact more
man Germany can afford to paw.
we defeated the Germany that was
organized and disciplined and paudv
with the lust Of might; and we are at
war with Bolshevism in Russia instead
or feeding it. Nevertheless because
germany brandishes her power for evil
n the guise of Bolshevism and threatens
europe with anarchy we must feed her.
Ships laden with food must enter the
narbors OF Germany" saws the A,~sr;-
can Secretary Of State who is now in
Paris.
1ermany would have wrecked civ;Iiza-
ton TO increase her dominion over tho
markets OF the world; nevertheless. ahe
must have her markets back forthwith
You may demand reparation as much
as you please, but unless the German
people arc furnished materials for their
industries and opportunities to sell the
products of labor in foreign markets.
Germany never can pay" says the
American oecrctafy OK STATE, in his
Paris speech. So say the Germans also.
1t Ia the myth.
We must lend Germany cotton and
copper and other raw materials to bs
fabricated, even on stolen machinery,
and then buy the finished products back
from her, presumably In lien of those Of
French and English and Belgian and
Italian manufacture. else she will be un-