Evening star., 1938-10-09
Only Victory by Arms to Satisfy
Germany, Is Ludwig's Belief
Not Hitler Alone, but Entire Nation Is to Blame
for Present Situation, Writer.
Declares.
Bv Emil Ludwiq.

"A penetrating analysts OF Germanys
aim, iptich, he says, Is leading that nation
and the iDorld into Uar, is giuen here by
famous German born historian 1Dho, Uith
Thomas Mann and other eminent German
literary figures, has been a voluntary Grille
from his country since Hitler came to
po,oer. Among Mr.. Lud,0igs books are
NAPOLEON" "July. 1914" and biography
Of President Roosepelt.)
PARIS, Oct. 8.-Never, in the history
Of modern times, have responsibilities been
more clearly defned-never has Europe
known, since the days of Louis XIV or Ma
poleon, such an example of avid desire for
self-expansion, such brutal hunger for con-
quest as is today being displayed by Hitler
Since the restoration of the Czcchoslovak
state, the minorities which it inclosed have
received better treatment than was given
any similar group on the continent. Toll
Grant and broad-minded, President Ma
saryk, founder Of the republic, gave the
state its guiding principles, which became
the basis Of the country's constitution,
which stands as that of Europe's most DEM
ocratic state.
These principles he never failed to ex-
press, in speech, in writing, in his addresses
to the country. And they have governed the
policy Of Czechoslovakia until now.
Only when systematic campaign began
to be launched along the German border
did the Czechs hnd themselves obliged to
modify certain concessions and withdraw
others. Yet, despite his skill in utilizing
well-planned methods of fomenting discon-
tent among the people. Hitler had little
success with his campaign of trouble-nak-
ing among the 100000 Germans of
Czechoslovakia. He Influenced a relatively
small group, as was the case in Austria.
Yet Hitler's aim was Identical He wanted
second edition Of the Viennese tragic
farce, Germanic dispute disproportion-
ately blown up, which, in his mind, was to
rouse storm Of popular anger.
Dream Has Never Waned.
If one makes deeper investigation in
the underlying cause of the present situa-
ton, one finds the answer in German ma
tional characteristics. Germans would never
hight q war for purely material motives.
Ever since the tremendous rise of Germany
during the 10th century, the dream of Ger
manic world hegemony has never ceased to
haunt the minds of its people. Bismarck
the builder Of German power, was also the
last man able to control it. While ne was
IN power, victorious Prussia, which had
grown into the German Empire, knew 20
years Of peace despite the fact that between
1875 and 1882 new war against France
would have spelled easy victory.
A born dictator, Bismarck had never
theless recognized the danger of Germany,s
situation in Europe. Since its foundation,
his one aim had been, therefore, to render
1t impregnable, q military defense power
rather than an attacking force. He even
opposed colonial expansion, desirous of con-
centrating the power Of the empire within
It's own limits, which, because of its CEN
tral position in the heart of Europe, were
those of bastion easily blocked.
William II was the first of German i'm
perialisus. The duality OF his character
native exuberance on the one hand, feel
ing Of inferiority due to his infrmity on
the otfer-made him act in a manner
which became more and more bellicose
But when this led, finally. to World War,
panic suddenly gripped him and he tried in
catastrophe. However, it would be unjust
to make Germany solely responsible for
the World War, as I showed in my book,
July, 1914" Russia and Austria both
shared equally in these responsibilities and
there is no doubt that Great Britain could
have prevented it had she made her in
tentions clear before the war began.
Rebellion Of Soul
What is happening at present is in fact
q rebellion Of the German soul, stimulated
by lust for revenge. The world has before
it . Germany infinitely more dangerous
than before for not only has the country
regained its military spirit, its discipline
and organization of 1914, but these are
backed by an unquenchable thirst for ven-
geance which results from the conscious
ness of its inferiority.
The statement that this surge of belli-
cose feeling is due to desire to grasp
colonies in order to obtain access to raw
materials, Russian agricultural regions,
Rumanian oil, cotton land in Africa, is a
wrong Interpretation of the actual fact.
For, should Germany really wish to do
70, it could obtain these products by par
ticipating in the economic life of the world,
rs are doing other nations incapable OF pro-
viding their own materials.
No, what Germany wants are not land
riches or colonies, nor anything else which
can be given to it. Germany wants victory
In this regard its demand could, In GER
tain sense be termed idealistic. But, as
this form of national ambition is q menace
to European peace, it is being opposed
because Europe as whole is more i'm
portant than any Of its component parts.
Impressed by Threats.
It becomes daily more obvious that Ger
many has not been led to choose this path
because Of the Treaty of Versailles. Any
other treaty would have done IS well,
whatever might have been its clauses OF
the magnanimity shown, for the German
spirit is impressed solely by threats, not by
concessions. In any case, when Hitler
came to power, three clauses Of the treaty
which could really hamper the nation had
already been done away with Stresemann
and Bruening had nquidated the questions
Of the occupation Of Rhineland, the pay.
- IA-kS