237 243 243 *241 Hostile Acts Before a Declaration of War. Germany in the Crisis—The Kaiser's Speeches..... 237 FOURTH CHAPTER-By the Laws of War........ INTRODUCTION-Germany in the Great War-Count Von Bernstorff, Imperial German Ambassador to the United States WHAT IT MEANS TO WAGE WAR ON SO LARGE EVOLUTION BY THE LAW OF WAR - PROGRESS AND THE 243 The Western Campaign - Belgium and France the Battleground - Germany's Geographic Position Among Her Neighbors - Consequent Strategic Movements of Vast Importance of the German Armies PEACE AND WAR-INTERESTING AND HELPFUL THOUGHTS 325 243 258 France and Her Lost Provinces-Alsace-Lorraine.. 265 265 WHAT THIS BOOK IS. PREFACE "Behold the true warriors; they are not quick to shrink, are not defiant, nor eager for fight, but when they are forced to fight, then have a care, they are in earnest."-Luther. (From the Fatherland, New York, April 28, 1915.) War Echoes gives you a systematic presentation and interpretation of Official Documents, Newspaper and Magazine Articles, Addresses, Lectures, Debates, Discussions, Editorials, a thoroughgoing Preface with contributions from the Editor, with articles, discussions, comment, etc.; with comment on subject-matter included-and all, of course, in connection with the present European conflict, from the time of the assassination of the Archduke and the Duchess of Austria; the book is well illustrated, includes many good Maps, an analytical Table of Contents, an alphabetical List of Contributors, showing their choicest articles, and a complete Index. This book is the one, and only complete answer to the many questions asked and discussed throughout the civilized world on this subject. HOW THE TASK WAS CONCEIVED. The tremendous power of the American press, creating, and feeding upon popular notions and sentiments concerning the aims and conduct of certain European nations, and, I very much fear, only too often stooping to policies working to the great injury of certain persons and institutions for private gain through the misfortunes of others, which was especially so during the first months of the present conflict-impelled me to throw all my energies and spirit into the work of defending a people whose reputation and character we well know, in whom we have always had and still cherish a splendid Faith and in which Faith we shall abide until sufficient evidence compels us to give this Faith up as not well founded. I say we advisedly, because I regard my task in this connection as merely that of a collaborator with the many staunch defenders of the same cause and Faith which I cherish and champion. For instance, note what the Chicago Abendpost says of this: "WAR ECHOES or GERMANY AND AUSTRIA IN THE CRISIS should be in the home of every American citizen who still holds to the idea of fair play in politics."-The Abendpost, Chicago, January 23, 1915. It is very simple and clear to me how this task was plainly forced upon us through the overwhelming mass of untruthful, insulting and calumnious reports of a people whom we know too well to accept the hasty, nervous accusations, in the light of the spirit and circumstances of the evidence! THE MISSION AND PROMISE OF THE BOOK. Its Mission. This suggests the Mission of the book, which is clear, and frankly to defend Germany and Austria in the present crisis, a high privilege and plain duty, as I see my relation to the situation, which has very plainly been forced upon all of us who believe in fair play, honor at home and justice abroad! We cannot escape this duty until every American citizen will be ready to grant to all belligerents the same open and generous hearing alike, and until we will be persuaded to strike a plane of a high moral and spiritual attitude in dealing with belligerents now and hereafter. I appreciate the technical position that we cannot very well pass a law now since the trouble is on, that would not work to the inevitable detriment of one of the contestants in the war, which would be equivalent to an ex post facto in common law; I am now appealing for a standing policy for my country in the future. Yet, why could we not do what Jefferson did with England and France, and what President Wilson did with Mexico a year ago? I am not criticizing, I am honestly asking for information. At any rate, we should at least not condemn a people or a nation until we have given all the witnesses in the case an opportunity to be heard if we must judge and condemn! It is with an open mind, a good conscience, and a glad heart that we are looking forward to the fulfillment of this important Mission of the undertaking! Can you give a clear account of the German-Austrian and Serbian-Russian Balkan Policies, the Principles upon which the present heart-rending calamity was precipitated? Can you discuss the Historical Background of these Policies, the recent European History, especially that of the nations at war, the interests of the several nations that led to the present political alignment in Europe and elsewhere, the attitude of the neutral nations and the so-called neutrals? This book meets this demand absolutely. Deutschland Deutschland über Alles This truth, as the very essence of poetry and song, must be experienced psychologically, not logically. My Fatherland First, is the real meaning of the poem, and I feel certain the author would confirm this conviction. Is there a man so dull as to find fault with his neighbor because of his neighbor's sentiment attached to his family, when he eulogizes the many virtues of the mother of his happy children: "She is the best and most beautiful creature God ever created!" Certainly nobody in his right mind would call him either a fool or a conceited, ambitious neighbor! We must know how to make allowances for expressions from so deep a source! And this is precisely a parallel case, as against the stupid, ugly rendering of this song, which we have seen so often recently, "Germany Above All"; both of these expressions have their life in spirit and love, the one in the love of Home, the other in the love of Country! |