The New York herald., 1922-12-03

only that minimum of bias with which, be-
ing human. we are prone to regard events
even so remote as the wars of the Greeks
and Persians or OF the Romans and Cartha-
ginians.
All Of the nations, Mr.. Buchan implies.
were in some measure responsible for the
conflict. for in 1914 all were afflicted with
what the author terms "Nationalism of the
pocket"-a utilitarian philosophy that ex-
alted material things simply because they
were material. that worshiped gold for
COLDS sake only. and that estimated the
greatness of nations according to their in
dustrial and commercial resources rather
than according to their contribution to
art. science. or literature. The natural ac-
compartment of this sordid nationalism
was aggressive militarism, for when
men have come TO value pearls above
poetry and a favorable balance of trade
above a favorable balance of conscience it
is TO be expected that they will prefer
might to right and will devote themselves
assiduously TO the defense of material
things. And so, in 1914, all the nations of
Europe were highly armed and presented
much the spectacle of an oil soaked pyre
ready to burst into flames at the touch of
a match. The particular match that ap-
peared was the murder of the Archduke
but had not this pretext occurred some
other excuse would doubtless have arisen.
for Germany. apparently. was bent ON
military expansion. and Russia and Austria
appear likewise to have been counting dis
aster.
In one way the position of Germany
Las unique. for militarism had taken an
even firmer hold on her than on any of hei
neighbors, and for nearly half century
the minds and energies of her people had
been devoted To the formation of an ef
ficient fighting machine Yet. paradox
cally. the very thoroughness of the G,l
man method ultimately proved the undoina
of Germany. For the Germans were not
only systematic; they were too systematic.
they overemphasized pin points. and by so
doing overlooked mountains: they shaped
themselves according To preconceived
mold. and thereby precluded the possibility
of growth. of genius. and of that unfore-
seen but saving brilliance that sometimes
alters the destiny of nations. 1t is per-
haps for this reason that Germany. where
miltarism was studied as an art and things
military given a rank second not even to
God. passed through the greatest war of
history without producing a single gen.
eral of the first rank. Mr.. Buchan is
touching upon profound truth when he
observes. Human energy is limited. and
if too much thought be given to minor
things no vitality Will be left for the great
matters. The weakness could be observed
in many activities of the modern German
mind. But it was most conspicu-
Gus in war Frederick and Moltke were
military geniuses of a high order; but the
military genius did not appear in Ger
many's superbly provided armies. for there
was no room in them for the higher kind
of intelligence. German industry was not
mature: it was like the painful unintelli-
gent absorption of a child. No amount of
organizing the second rate will produce the
first rate"
None the less. declares the author.
History will not deny TO Germany the
credit of a tremendous achievement" At
the start she alone showed "a proper bold
ness in conception. a proper vigor and
tenacity in execution. and as the conflict
proceeded she manifested a decided elias
ITCHY in changing her plans as necessity
dictated: her people proved themselves
capable of enduring extreme suffering and
privatiOn; her soldiers won widespread
admiration for their resolution and ability
on the field OF battle. Unfortunately these
virtues are insufficient to atone for the