(lass J)i Book L GopyrigM , COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT; FOREBODINGS AND FORBEARANCE WHAT THE FATHERLAND WOULD DO IF DRAWN INTO AN EUROPEAN CONFLICT BY JOHANN WlLHELM VON L6WENELL Brandenburg-Hohenzollern, A. B., L. L. D. AUTHOR European Political Economy; German Economics, Etc. PUBLISHERS C. SCHWAPPACHER AND COMPANY Detroit, Mich. 1915 V Copyright 1915 By JOHANN WILHELM VON LOWENELL- BRANDENBURG-HOHENZOLLERN Price Net $1.25 Price by Mail $1.35 Dedicated to CALVIN OSKAR SIGISMUND VON LOWENELL Pronounced "Iionell" PRINTED IN UNITED STATES By FRIESEMA BROS. PRINTING COMPANY DETROIT, MICH. NOV 27 1315 i >C;,A4i4814 CONTENTS PART ONE PART TWO PART THREE PART FOUR PART FIVE PART SIX PART SEVEN PART EIGHT PART NINE PART TEN PART ELEVEN PART TWELVE PART THIRTEEN PART FOURTEEN PART FIFTEEN PAGE How the Story started ... 13 Forebodings 35 Beginning of Eastern and Western Campaigns ... 55 Entrance of Turkey into Conflict 73 Invasion of England ... 91 Peace Conference and Price of Peace ....... 103 Forbearance 125 United Empire of Germany . 149 Conclusion 175 England's Reveries .... 185 The Fatherland 203 The Prince of Peace . . . 207 Our Heroes 223 Germany as Europe's Savior 235 England's Nightmare . . . 249 ILLUSTRATIONS OPPOSITE PAGE 1. His Imperial Majesty Wilhelm II of Germany 13 2. Maj. Gen. Erich von Falkenhayn, Minister of War 35^ 3. Grand Admiral Von Tirpitz, Minister of the Navy 55^ 4. The Reichstag Palace 73^ 5. Officers Club House , 91" 6. Palace on the "Spree" 103^ 7. Dr. von Bethmann-Holweg, German Chan- cellor 125 1 " 8. Brandenburg Gate 149 "" 9. Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria- Hungary 175"" 10. Johann "Wilhelm von Lowenell-Branden- burg-Hohenzollern 185 ^ PREFACE Upon my return from Berlin, in October, 1913, I conceived the thought of putting- into words, the story which had escaped me, one memorable evening, at the Club, while under a sad spell of depression, occasioned by the recollections of my intense loneliness, after the loss of my entire family, consisting of wife and two sons ; leaving me (at forty-two) the last remaining member of our family. While I have never done anything to startle the world, (excepting the wild animals of the jun- gle), I was startled myself, when after some years of hard study I was the recipient of the honorable degrees of A. B. and L. L. D. This effort so upset me, that I took solace in travel, hunting four-legged game, and indulging in serious thought, concerning the future great- ness of our beloved country, and how it would be acquired, through vast expenditure of lives, treasure and indefatigable energy. After read- ing the few words expressed between these covers, I ask my host of friends not to con- demn me for my serious partisanship, but to remember, that coming from an aged line of noble ancestors, "what is bred in the bone, comes out in the flesh;" therefore, read and enjoy, ponder and reflect, congratulate or for- give me for being a German, and loyal to my Kaiser and the traditions of our family. GENEALOGY John Sigismund von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern, Born 1572, Married 1594, Died 1619, Married Anna of Prussia. Issue 8 children. George Wilhelm von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern, Born 1595, Married 1616, Died 1640, Married Elizabeth of Palatine of Rhine, Issue 3 children. Louise Charlotte von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern, Born, 1617, Died 1676, Married Jacob Kettler Duke of Courland, B. 1610, D. 1682 Issue 7 children. Friedrich Kasimir Kettler Duke of Courland, Born 1650, Died 1698, Married Elizabeth Sophia, 8th child of Friedrich Wilhelm the Great. Issue 4 children. Marie Dorothy Kettler of Courland, Born 1684, Married 1703, Died 1743. Married Albert Friedrich, 7th child of Friedrich Wilhelm the Great, Born 1672, Married 1703, Died 1731 Issue 3 sons, 2 daughters. Friedrich Wilhelm von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern, Born 1709, Married 1733, Died 1744 Son of Marie Dorothy of Courland and Albert Friedrich von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern. Joachim Friedrich von Brandenburg-Holienzollern, Born 1734, Married 1763, Died 1804, Grandson of Marie Dorothy of Courland and Albert Frie- drich von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern. Wilhelm Wolfgang von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern, Born 1764, Married 1798, Died 1830. Issue 1 son, 1 daughter. Joachim Sigismund von Brandenburg-Hohenzollern, Born 1800, Married 1837, Died 1890. Fled to America 1848, account rebellion. Adopted estate surname Lowenell (pronounce in English Lionell) Issue 3 sons. Sigismund Simeon von Lowenell-Brandenburg-Hohen- zollern. Born 1840, Married 1867, Died 1893. Issue 2 sons, 2 daughters. JohannWilhelm von Lowenell-Brandenburg-Hohenzollern, Born 1870, Married 1898. Total family, wife and two sons, lost 1910. His Imperial Majesty, Kaiser Wilhelm, II of United Germany. "No great decision can any longer be taken in world matters without Germany and the German Emperor." — Kaiser's Speech, July, 1900. PART ONE ELLO, Captain, which way?" rang out in a cheery voice, in the semi- darkness, just beginning to cast its shadows under the lime trees of Ber- lin's famous Linden. Spring was just entering the year, ushered in by balmy breezes, sweet scented with the blossoms of the thousands of trees all over the city. The sight was inspiring, not only to the vast multitude parading the avenue, but particu- larly so to the young captain, whose mind the past few days was full of events, which he was reading in the near future, the thoughts of which fur- rowed his brow, as he walked along, utterly un- conscious of the attention he attracted by old and young alike. Although dressed in the garb of society, with only a light cape coat over his broad shoulders, it could be easily seen he belonged to the military. Tall, six foot in his stockings, 14 HOW THE STORY STARTED erect in bearing and demeanor, Captain von Bran- denburg, scion and head of one of the oldest fam- ilies in Prussia, whose ancestors assisted with Bar- barossa in the storming of the walls at Acre in 1190, was a worthy son of a worthy father. The year was 1913, and although the peace hori- zon looked clear, dark clouds were gathering. They were still invisible, but their presence could be felt, and cast a shadow over the peaceful provinces throughout all Germany. It was just such thoughts that were absorbing the Captain, when he heard himself addressed. Looking up instantly, he observed the Minister of War di- rectly in front of him. "Ah ! Good evening, General. I was just going to the club, and this meeting you here is auspicious, for my mind is weighted with serious thoughts, and you, more than any other, can assist me in easing it. I presume you are going to the club, as well?" "Yes, Captain, I was going over to spend an hour or so, but as you have something on your mind that seems serious, I will stay, and have you unburden yourself." "Thank you, General, your kindness is proverbial, but I doubt how you will accept the story I am going to unfold to you, that has occupied my mind for the past fortnight." HOW THE STORY STARTED 15 "Now, Captain, don't be morose; shake off the melancholy which has seized you of late, since you had the misfortune to lose your wife and family. We are all subject to losses that are painful, and console yourself that there are millions of others whose losses are as painful as your own. Look at Captain von Lemberg, lost his father and mother and two sisters' all at once. His grief is real, for in their loss he is deprived of the sweetest joys of life. Of course he is a bachelor, and home ties to him, are the same as your family ties." "Hold up a minute, General. You are on the wrong track ; I thank you for your kindly feeling in my grief, but my thoughts right now were not on my departed family, but on the perils of the Father- land." "Ah ! something new developed, and I not yet heard of it?" "No, General, nothing new. The same old story of expectancy and preparedness. But the thought that trouble is coming very soon, and the magnitude of its fury and consequences' to us, has obsessed me with this one thought." They had been walking arm in arm, and now reached the exclusive club that opened its doors' only to the nobles of the military and navy. Their en- trance was greeted by voices of numerous friends who advanced to meet them. 16 HOW THE STORY STARTED The Minister of War was a comparatively young man in the forties', as was the Captain, and well liked. Tall and commanding in appearance, the military imprinted over every act and action, he was the idol of the younger set, and the admiration of the elders. Keen and witty, intelligent and hand- some, he filled the arduous post of Minister of War with confidence to those who entrusted this most im- portant duty to him, and none were more highly re- spected by His Imperial Majesty, than this hand- some minister. These two men were boon com- panions, and much sought after. Captain Count von Brandenburg was versatile, and an extensive trav- eller. The whole civilized world had unfolded itself to his gaze, and the dark continent had given up much game to his prowess, as a hunter. His mar- vellous tales of travel always found a ready ear at the club, or in the drawing room, and like Othello of old, had won him a wife, a dainty bud, from out of a garden teeming with choicest flowers. He had gathered the choicest, and tenderly nursed it for twelve short years, after which God gathered the flower and the two dainty buds resulting from this union. The Captain's grief for the untimely loss of his family had serious consequences, and for nearly one whole year, left the withering hand of melancholy upon his once brilliant intellect. But careful attention weaned his mind from his affile- HOW THE STORY STARTED 17 tion, and his return to health was gradual, until now, at the time of this writing, he had recovered suffi- ciently to be almost normal once more physically. Mentally, he was, if possible, superior, and his in- comings anywhere were always hailed with delight, for a good story was always in sight if he could be induced to speak. There was an unusually large attendance at the club this evening, as if they scented an enjoyable time, and the entrance of Captain von Brandenburg with the War Minister, seemed to confirm them in their opinion. Clustering around the two, they led the way to one of the private reception rooms. It looked as if every member of the club was in attend- ance. Captain von Brandenburg looked around, "Well, boys, what is the grand idea." "A story, Captain; we know you are primed for one, and no stories' are as interesting as yours." "That comes from establishing a reputation," re- plied the Captain, "but I will admit I have something to say, which I had intended only for the General's ear, but upon due consideration, I believe that the subject of my remarks is of vast moment to all of you, considering as it bears upon the welfare of the Fatherland. Our first and last thoughts are for our country, and no nation on the face of the earth is more patriotic than ours. All of you have pledged 18 HOW THE STORY STARTED your lives to our beloved Kaiser, for the preservation of the Empire, and in my opinion the time is not far distant when we will all be called to our colors. You know better than I what that will mean." "Come, come, Captain, don't be misanthropic, there is nothing to indicate the least disturbance," spoke up one of the older Generals who had seen service in France in 1870-1, "although I will admit it is my belief it cannot be far distant." "That's just the point," responded the Captain, "we are always expecting trouble, yet do not know in what manner it will come." "Well for heaven's sake," replied the veteran Gen- eral, "if you feel endowed with second sight, ease your mind. I know that most of us will stay here all night, if necessary, to be enlightened." "General," turning to the Minister of War, "you have more influence over our intrepid Captain. Use your persuasive voice, that we may all be in the listening." "Well, gentlemen," replied the War Minister, "I am as much at sea as all of you. Captain von Bran- denburg was in a brown study when I accosted him on the Linden, while coming this' way, and a few remarks he let fall led me to believe what he had to say was for my ears first. However, if it is not a matter of privacy, I will add my voice with yours, HOW THE STORY STARTED 19 and try to persuade the Captain to get his ideas out of his system, for the general good." Then turning to the Captain, "We are here in absolute privacy, and if your remarks should bear on private affairs, we can all pledge ourselves to hold inviolate that which we have heard. Am I right, gentlemen?" addressing the entire audience. A chorus' of "Yes, we pledge ourselves." "All right, then, boys," replied the Captain. "When I wended my way in this direction, I had no idea that I was going to unburden myself of what has been of absorbing interest to me for the past two weeks, but meeting our genial Minister, I asked him to come and hear my forebodings. It seems that when you saw us entering, you scented a story. I will admit that what I have to say might prove interesting, but remember one thing, what I think, and what may be, are two different things. I am not infallible. We are all military and naval men, and from your minds, I will attempt to re- fresh my own. Think of the next war. What a terrible thing to contemplate. No one can grasp the full meaning which this word entails. No one can imagine the stupendous amount of separate units that are necessary to prepare an army corps of forty thousand men. Then think what it means when the full strength of the nation is assembled. Mere words fall short, and fail to convey to the 90 HOW THE STORY STARTED mind the vast amount of material, raw and manu- factured, that becomes essential to put our fight- ing machine in the field. In this age of figures, when millions are spoken of inadvertently, and without serious thought, no one in thousands, has the slightest conception of what one million means. Yet, should it become necessary, we are pre- pared to put five million men on the field fully equipped. Am I right, General?" "Yes, and more, if we have to," responded the Minister, without a moment's hesitation. "Now," resumed the Captain, "let us see how we figure our units. An army corps is a com- pleted unit, composed of a number of smaller sec- tions. First we have four companies of 250 men each, comprising a battalion of 1,000 men. Then we have three battalions of four companies, or a total of twelve companies forming a regiment of 3,000 men. Our next formation is a brigade, composed of two regiments, making 6,000 men. After which we have two brigades calling for 12,000 men, form- ing a division, with two divisions in an army corps. This is the portion allotted to the infantry. General, if I am in error, please correct me. After the in- fantry comes the artillery. Nine batteries of field guns with howitzers and mortars, in all 72 pieces, and three of field battery, calling for six large guns. Our cavalry to complete the third division, calls for HOW THE STORY STARTED 21 four squadrons of 200 each, making one regiment of cavalry, while a brigade of cavalry consists of three regiments or 2,400 men. Don't forget that in the cavalry, the man is only one-half a unit. A good horse is as necessary to the cavalry, as a gun and ammunition are to the infantry. Then there are one company of pioneers, a brigade train, field bakeries, telegraph troops, field hospital with medi- cal attendance, and a machine gun company, as well as a battalion of engineers. With the officers to command and direct the movement of this vast number of men, a total of 40,000 are assembled, and consist in full, of one complete army corps. So much for the formation of this principal unit, from which all manuevers radiate. To assemble an army of one million men would mean the gathering together of twenty-five army corps. The rapid formation of such a vast army is accompanied by many other vastly important conditions. Men and animals have to eat. If the contrary prevailed, the main worry of the commissary would be ended, in fact there would be no commissary, with its attendant multi- tude, serving the needs of the army. But as every living thing has to eat to live, you can readily see that a vast amount of food stuffs must accompany every army corps. I trust you gentlemen will fol- low me carefully, until I come to the digest of my story. I can state without egotism, that many of our 22 HOW THE STORY STARTED friends, here assembled, although directly in daily contact with their military duties, would not answer the questions' off-hand, which I will now dole out to you. A man's full rations for one day on the field or on the march, weighs four and one-half pounds and costs about one and one-half mark. Now, if we had these twenty-five army corps encamped in Ber- lin, the net weight of foodstuffs would be over 2,250 tons', while the cost would be, approximately, one million and a quarter marks. This is for one day only. To convey this to the rear guard on the field, would take the use of over one hundred of our large cars. The number of animals accompanying every army corps is 14,550 horses, of which 6,350 are for the cavalry. The balance are used for draft work of all kinds. Now horses need a given amount of rations daily, fourteen pounds of hay and twelve pounds of oats. This stuff is bulky, and as there are about 375,000 horses to feed for every 1,000,000 men, the amount of fodder necessary to keep them in condition would have a net weight of 13,000 tons per day, and would fill over 260 large freight cars. Then there are other necessities ; medical supplies, ammunition and powder, which has to be handled more carefully, and takes innumerable more cars. You can readily see that the million, people speak of so commonly, entails a vast amount of other things besides the mere assembling of the men. Over 50,000 HOW THE STORY STARTED 23 vehicles, including cannon. As an army on the march must of necessity carry not less than ten days' rations, you can imagine the incessant shipping of merchandise which would naturally be the result. Another thing, gentlemen, is that in time of war the nation consumes, and its production is curtailed. But thank God, our beloved country is entirely free of all the nations. We produce all we need and are independent of imports. If we were cut off from the world, we would be able to live in our every day way, without feeling the pangs of hunger. So much for our wise laws, that put a ban on all waste areas, and considers the welfare of the country, first, last, and all the time. As we are all officers, we are not burdened like the fighting branch of the service. Every man carries, exclusive of his clothes, his rifle and bayonet which weighs ten and three-quarter pounds. His ammunition, belt, knapsack and con- tents and canteen of water, weighs thirty-six pounds ; in all, he packs nearly forty-seven pounds, which on a hike of ten miles, is liable to become heavy. "All my remarks have concerned the army. Let us see what is necessary to the navy. Here conditions are vastly different. The fighting unit carries all its necessities within itself, food stuffs, water, coal, oil, guns and ammunition. We have a vast number of large fighting machines which we were obliged to construct, simply to keep pace with other nations, 24 HOW THE STORY STARTED soon to be our enemies. My candid belief is that in the war that will confront us, these mammoth and powerful vessels will be of little or no use to us, as raiders, or to engage in open battle. Our submarines will prove the wonder of the age, and in my estima- tion will sink many a battle cruiser of the enemy. Now, Admiral, don't get peeved. Time will show that I am right. I can foresee one thing very clearly, that in the war which is almost upon us, we will be pitted against all of Europe, with Austria, Hungary and Turkey as our only allies. The reason I look for Turkey to be our ally is that fear that Russia will renew her life's long ambition to take Constan- tinople. As we all know, the Turkish army has been put in a state of efficiency and discipline under our system, and with our engineers at the straits, can defy the navies of the whole world. We cannot de- pend on Italy, as our treaty with her is such as pre- cludes her assistance, if we are attacked from East, North and West simultaneously, which is just exactly what will happen. However, bear in mind that should Italy shirk her sworn duty, and declare for an armed neutrality, such a proceeding will not de- ceive us. While acquiescing to such a procedure, we will watch her carefully. As the conflict proceeds, and Italy shows any leaning toward our enemies, after she is on a strictly war footing, through pres- sure of our enemies, and oversteps the bounds of her HOW THE STORY STARTED 25 neutrality, and comes out flat footed and defiantly against us, I can only say, my friends, that not only will she regret it, but will rue the day she allowed her statesmen to be won from the path of duty, as outlined on the original treaty. Our vengeance will be small indeed, if her three most populous and im- portant states, bordering our allies country, i. e., Piedmont, Lombardy and Venetia are not annexed to Austria as an example to all nations for such a perfidy. The result will be that we will have Russia to contend with on the Baltic. If we are wise, we will be able to prevent her from reaching the sea by bottling her up in her home roads. Not with battle- ships, but with our mines and submarines. Next we are liable to be compelled to seek the safe roadways behind Heligoland and the Kiel canal, for our enemies of England and France, having possession of the narrow English Channel will attempt a block- ade. We would not venture into the North Sea, three or four against every one of our own. You don't imagine our wise Prince Henry and the Ad- miral, are going to go on parade, just to be shot at? Nothing like it. We will send out our submarines, the number of which is wholly unknown to our enemies. We will sink every vessel we find, bear- ing the enemies' flag or any ship known to belong to the enemy, no matter what it is, or where it comes 26 HOW THE 8 TOBY STARTED from. Our merchant marine will be entirely stopped at the command of the Kaiser. The chances are, that there will be no exports whatever, as we are securely locked in by Gibraltar, as well as by the Channel. If nothing is able to go out, surely nothing will be allowed in. A nation at war with powerful adver- saries, cares nothing for existing laws, nor the rights of neutral countries, if they are counter to their safety. United States of America could rave at England for their interference with her commerce without be- ing able to help herself. If England and France hold the Channel and Gibraltar, not a mosquito could pass — only our submarines. We would have to retaliate by blockading the entire British coast with mines' and submarines, and catch their more important bottoms coming or going. The most pitiful thing will be when liners are caught in the net, and innocent neutral passengers are lost. We can get along without outside assistance, but England would starve in short order. Our wise Admiral would never think of risking his fleet un- til such time as we have reduced the enemies' fleet to such proportions as would about equalize their numbers and tonnage. America, deprived of our exports and unable to bring anything to us, will direct all her trade to our enemies. United States is in no position to resist England and France. Her HOW THE STORY STARTED 27 navy would be in the same fix as our own, and her merchant marine at the mercy of the first torpedo. Naval battles won't decide anything in this war. It will be only when some decisive land battle is waged and won, that the home governments sue for peace. I tell you, gentlemen, we are going to be isolated. All our cables run through the channel. What is to prevent England from cutting them and stuffing the outside world with fish stories of battles that never existed? No matter how strong our enemies may appear to be, they will look for sympathy and more assistance. All nations will spend money like water. When vast amounts of gold are being used, the para- sites, who infest all influential offices, will betray their home governments for the proverbial shilling. No country will be exempt, excepting our own. A German financier with opportunity to graft, would sooner die than take advantage of the government. Not so with other nationalities. All nations will bor- row money and spend it away from home. But Germany will spend all her billions at home, not a pfennig outside. Result, prosperity and good will at home. Panic and revolt elsewhere. Financial ex- haustion or starvation will not apply to the Father- land. England must be struck at some vulnerable point. That point will be her navy and her stomach. The loss of one will affect the other. While our economic position is the reverse. We cannot be 28 HOW THE STORY STARTED starved. Should the war start in spring our harvest is sufficient to last the Empire until another harvest. Germany has raised more wheat, potatoes, rye, barley, and oats per acre than any country in the world, including the United States. We have over six million horses, more than forty million sheep, about twenty million hogs. Of cattle we have more than twenty-five million. Such are our resources in live stock. Our ally, Austria-Hungary, has nearly as much. We conserve all our strength at home. Our colonial possessions will take care of themselves. Our enemies will be so occupied in their defensive as to preclude their running thousands of miles away to attack them, altho it may happen in isolated loca- tions. Their forces will have to be so distributed as to guard against revolt in their colonies, for England well knows that the iron hand is the only safeguard she has. Love and fealty in the colonies for Eng- land is a mere sham to cover their future designs. Give them the opportunity when their oppressor can- not strike back, and England will be quickly shorn of her rare jewels. My friends, when war comes we must hit first, hit hard and be continually at it. There is no moderation in war, nor can it be civiliz- ed. Such attempts to do so would be the act of an imbecile and work vast harm. We have the advantage, and we must retain it. Russia is a brute in her ignor- ance, and in that ignorance will commit crimes that HOW THE STORY STARTED 29 will horrify the world. England is crafty, and in her intellectual way will connive at the basest method of warfare, in my opinion, just as she did to the poor Boers. Starvation will be her main weapon of reliance, backed by her navy. France in her greed to recover her lost provinces, originally stolen from Germany, will gladly acquiesce in this foul method of warfare, against her better judgment. They won't realize what it means, until the weapon of torture is turned against themselves. Our military training does not include refined cruelty. Let our enemies practice it at their peril. Our greatest fear from Russia is the debasing of our women, should any fall into their clutches. That is one reason why in- vaders should never be allowed to get close enough to our borders to defile it. Concentration camps are a menace to morals, and we may be thankful our military system precludes any such unnecessary train- ing. Should such camps be organized by any of our enemies during the war to come, I hesitate to speak of the woeful results emanating from undue licen- tiousness on the part of the idle youth, while await- ing the orders of the war department, for their dis- position. We do not want war, but if it is thrust upon us, we will not evade it, and woe to those who seek our hurt. "A nation attacked is a nation whose quarrel is just, and there will be no German who is not abso- 30 HOW THE STORY STARTED lutely convinced that the Fatherland needs his help, and will give it without stint or expectation of re- ward. We have no other desire than to be left alone, and that desire has caused us to build up a war machine that will convince our envious neighbors, that we will demand that our desires for peace shall be respected." "But Captain," asked a young lieutenant, "in your forebodings can you tell us what will be the actual causes of the war you say is almost upon us." "Yes, in a way, my dear Heinrich," replied the Captain. "The causes will be two fold. One a great crime, on which I am not quite ready to discourse, and the other is our militarism, on which I will say a few words, before giving you my reasons for the great crime, the result of which, will be the pretext our enemies have long waited for. "Our personal knowledge that some day we were to be the brunt of an united attack, has caused us to build up a mighty bulwark for our defense in our military. The other nations term us militarists, and spread abroad the nauseating idea that we were re- solved to capture the earth. It is too bad they did not include the sun, moon and stars. We have over- come the laws of gravity in the heavens, with our mighty aerial craft, and taken Neptune by storm, by navigating beneath the waters. But our rapid growth has alarmed our enemies, and our attempt to HOW THE STORY STARTED 31 build a navy, coupled with our militarism, was more than their egotism could endure. "They could see it in only one light, that we were bent on war, whereas our motive was just the con- trary. It is an undeniable fact that while England, Russia, Japan, France, Turkey, Italy, Belgium, Ser- via, Bulgaria and Greece were embroiled in bloody wars of conquest during the last 20 years, we stood all alone for peace. Our overwhelming desire for peace was deeply visible in the manner of our ac- ceptance of the Algeciras conference, and while we were humiliated, we preserved our peaceful attitude. We were better prepared, at that, to force issues with all Europe, if necessary, than any of our neigh- bors. It is utter folly to condemn our militarism. We are obliged to pursue this course, just as Eng- land pursues her policy with her navy. If England was surrounded by neighbors who hated freedom, enlightenment and progress, would she give up her navy, and put herself in the power of her merciless and jealous neighbors? "Why not arrive at the real bone of contention. I tell you, my friends, that the real cause of England's unholy jealousy is not our militarism, not our navy, but our rapid rise in the commercial markets of the world. Did we conquer these markets on the strength of our militarism, or on the real merits of our manufactures ? 32 HOW THE STORY STARTED "To any one with reasoning power, it is easily ap- parent. Our army and our navy really mean disci- pline, and with discipline comes efficiency, to meet any contingency that might arise, striking at the welfare of the Fatherland. We are constantly ma- ligned on all sides. Every act of ours is watched, with fear and suspicion. But our successes' in the sciences are copied with avidity. England rules the waves, on top (for the present) but Germany fur- nishes the intellect. "Are we continually harping on revenge from France? All one hears in Paris, where they make no secret of it, is revenge on Germany for Alsace- Lorraine. Do you ever hear in Berlin such vulgar expressions as revenge on France for the foul crimes of the first Napoleon at Tilset and Berlin? Who has greater cause for revenge? Is the loss of a small province to be compared to the wanton humil- iation of our beloved Queen Louisa? No, a thousand times no. But we are endeavoring to forget, while with France it is the opposite. She nurses every grievance, real or fancied. Take the insolent in- scription under a famous monument for instance, which reads "Lost 1870, recovered — ?" What ut- ter folly to keep alive the jealous passions of the nation, for events that occurred over forty years ago. HOW THE STORY STARTED 33 "My friends, this coming struggle will be no child's play. Diplomacy will be set aside. If such a thing were possible, that we could not protect ourselves, what would be the result. Away with such dreams ! We cannot lose ! Think of the vast number of mod- ern weapons, quick firing guns, scientific guns ex- ploding suffocating gases, and aerial bombs. Think of our enormous siege guns, twice as great as any known to our enemies, and last, but not least, think of the loyalty of our peopde, fighting in desperation, to safeguard their homes and women. What care we for the dislikes of other nations. We know our be- loved Kaiser is hated by our enemies. But he suits all of us. When war comes he will be more popular than ever. We know he is the only man in the Em- pire worthy to serve as an example to his people, for he possesses all the virtues that an upright mortal, walking in the fear of God, could inspire. His noble mind, piety, and outward appearance, are all in ac- cordance with the desires of his people. He will surely lead us to victory, and we will give him such a victory that his enemies will never again dare to cast aspersions' at the Fatherland. "Now, General," turning to the Minister of War, "you know better than any other, just how we stand. Should any great crime occur, to rend the passion of our people, or of our allies' government, would we 34 HOW THE STORY STARTED be prepared to resent it, even if we had to face all the world?" "Captain," calmly replied the Minister, "we could be in Paris before that nation realized there was war." "Thank you, General," responded the Captain. "Now, my friends, if you will all gather your chairs around me, I will begin to tell you the digest of my forebodings and in the result, the forbearance of our glorious Emperor." All the members of the club placed themselves in such a position, semi-circle, with Captain von Bran- denburg in the center, so as to catch every word. "My friends, the story is long and will take time far into the night, but I want to get it out of my system, and am ready to share it with you. Should I utter anything, my dear General," turning to the Minister, "that you disapprove of being known, make a note of it, and advise our friends, that it must go no further. Above all do not interrupt me, but allow me to tell it in my own peculiar way. I will now speak of the great crime, which I mentioned a few minutes ago, and which, in the manner it is related, will speak for itself." Moijor-General von Falkenhayn, Minister of War, PART TWO. II If^PCBp^lsJl IKE a peal of thunder reverberating in ll^wB-^SlI a clear sky, the assassination of a royal £8P_^«J| head of Austria-Hungary was heard ll^ii&ilEP^II throughout the civilized world. The (y^l^igllU "Man of Many Sorrows" was to add another to his long list of afflictions, already overflowing in its intensity. The horoscope of Austria-Hungary was about to be accomplished. Long patient suffering was at last to break its bounds, and punishment, quick and severe, to be meted out to the conspirators. This tiny flame, lit by some member of the Balkan states, if fanned to fury by resistance, would be the means of spreading a confla- gration that would involve all Europe, and ultimately overwhelm all the weaker states. Europe has long expected some overt act that would start the seeth- ing cauldron of jealousy and ambition to overflow, and would reach forward to grasp the coveted prize, should circumstances place it within grasp, or if 36 FOREBODINGS not so easily plucked, assist assiduously at first, and later, without pretense. The inordinate passions of the European states would ultimately bring into conflict the three cardinal objects of all govern- ments. First, conquest; second, revenge; third, peace. The greater the power, the more reason for con- quest, as in their fancied strength lies the domineer- ing tendencies to crush any power aspiring to na- tional wealth or greatness. This spirit has existed in all previous ages, when the world was supposed to be in barbarous and heathenish condition, down to our present state of modern culture and civilization. Such a state will eventually meet its master, and suffer the fate of the United Kingdom of Isreal, the Empire of Alexander, and the decay of the Roman power, not to mention the fall of the mighty Spanish empire of recent times. The nation that seeks revenge for wrongs inflicted, whether real or imaginary, is a foe with a more right- eous object, whose one absorbing ambition may be the recovery of provinces lost at an earlier date, or to redress a grievous crime against its state and humanity. The nation whose main object is peace, though surrounded on all sides by enemies, kept at a dis- tance only by eternal vigilance and preparedness, is a nation whose quarrel is always just, and to pre- FOREBODINGS 37 serve that peace and contentment within her borders, will exert every endeavor in its power to counteract the implied or vicious intentions of its foes, even to exhausting its life and treasures. The firebrand that was to set aflame the continent of Europe was not the dictator, but an accepted mur- derer, whose great crime against humanity was condoned by the various courts of Europe in unison for fear of a worse offense. The great crime of dis- membering Turkey of its possessions, for no other reason than its religious doctrines, which differed in a trifling nature from their own, was at last to react upon civilization, and prove conclusively that oriental ideas of peace were far superior to occi- dental strife. What matter if one nation accepted God as the Almighty, and Mohammed as his Prophet, with 350,- 000,000 adherents, if the other accepted the same God with the Christ as their Prophet, with 450,- 000,000 adherents, divided into innumerable antago- nistic branches. Who is wise enough to tell which is in the right? One is justified as much as the other in its mode of worship. Why not go further and chastize Confucius for daring to be the same God's Prophet, with their 450,000,000 adherents. Western civilization is in its infancy compared to the Orient, who laugh at the pretensions of their Prophet and the humbug it ad- 38 FOREBODINGS vocates, just as western thought ridicules everything Oriental. Our most enlightened thought teaches that, "if one believes he is right, all roads lead to heaven." The supposed heathen will eventually strike back at the Christian dog. This is not revenge, but vanity, the greatest sin in the decalogue. The result of giv- ing independent power into the hands of these prov- inces wrested from Turkey, and the crafty manner in which their promoters made them buffer states, only intended them to be the future mischief makers of Europe. Nearly every conflict during the past eight hun- dred years has had for its' object some portion of the Balkan peninsula. Now for the third time within the past decade, was a member to start anew the pas- sions of Europe, not in one of their petty quarrels, but in a war that is liable to involve all the world. This world war has long been anticipated, and con- sequently all great nations have been feverishly straining every energy for the past forty years' to meet it, when it comes. As is usual in great crises, trouble comes slowly, but when the next war con- fronts us, it will come like a flash of lightning, with- out much warning, and woe to him who finds him- self unprepared, for in the termination of the strug- gle, to the victor will belong the spoils, and the spoils will be vast, and the cost in blood and treasure great. FOREBODINGS 39 The quiet annexation of Bosnia and Herzogovina by Austria-Hungary, in October of 1908, so incensed Servia, at what she considered an usurpation of rights belonging solely to her, leads me to believe that Servia will be the aggressor that will precipi- tate death and devastation upon the continent, and also be the means of forever eradicating the Balkan question from Europe, by their subsequent annihila- tion and subjugation. Assassination being the favorite weapon of reprisal for this nation, my im- pression is that she will aim at one of the Royal Family of Austria-Hungary to gratify her malice and revenge, with the ulterior motive of embroiling Aus- tria-Hungary, so as to have a motive for an attempt to annex the coveted provinces. Upon this suppo- sition is the curtain of the veiled future withdrawn. Such an act would call for vengence from Austria- Hungary. The diplomatic negotiations, arising from such an act between these two countries, would need no outside assistance, as it would be merely a ques- tion arising between two sovereign nations, and not a subject for arbitration. Servia would be given a stipulated amount of time to meet the demands made by Austria-Hungary, to turn over to Austrian jus- tice, all those compromised in the assassination, but being of a Slavic race, would ask the advice of Rus- sia, as chief of all the Slav nations', and consequently, Russia foreseeing the end of Servian entity by her 40 FOREBODINGS subjugation to Austria-Hungary, if it came to a clash of arms between these two, which would be in direct opposition to Russian policy, that all Slav nations shall be controlled by her, surreptitiously forbids her acquiescence to Austria's demand, prom- ising moral support. Upon this secret advice, Servia attempts to mis- lead Austria, who not knowing of Russia's influence in Servia's reply, sees no other recourse, but to take by force of arms, the justice that is denied her peace- fully. The declaration of war upon Servia, by Aus- tria, rather startles Russia, who had not anticipated any such move so rapidly, and to offset it, immedi- ately starts to mobolize her troops along the German- Austrian border, probably thinking such a move would frighten Austria. But this act would threaten the peace of Germany, who would immediately ask Russia for a declaration of her intentions, and de- mobilization along her border, which if refused, would precipitate the long-looked for and equally long evaded war against Russia, the fear of which caused Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1883 to form a dual alliance of defense, against Russia only, which in 1886 was augmented by an alliance with Italy, for the defense of Germany against French invasion only. This alliance is diplomatically known as the Triple Alliance, the terms of which read in such a manner FOREBODINGS 41 as to preclude the entrance of Italy into the conflict, if Germany and Austria-Hungary are attacked simul- taneously by Russia and France, which would allow Italy to issue a proclamation of neutrality. To offset this alliance, France and Russia entered into an agreement the following year, which was for each other's mutual protection against their superior foe. Russia being taken unawares by Austria's declara- tion of war against Servia; and Germany's prompt attitude to prevent any interference in Austria's pri- vate affairs, would soon convince Russia that she must not allow her ambition to gain the ascendancy, without reckoning the cost. But Russian bureau- cracy, to retrieve their signal defeat in the Orient in 1904-5 with a despised nation, would rush head- long into the fiery furnace, and under pretext of assisting Servia, would boldly declare war against Germany, or by some menace, compel Germany to take the initiative. The consequence of such an act would call in the assistance of France to help her ally, Russia. But as French diplomacy differs con- siderably from Russian brutality, France would at- tempt to disguise her intentions, until she would be in a position to have a considerable body of troops along her border, facing Alsace-Lorraine, stationed at her main positions of Verdun, Nancy and the natural fastnesses of the Vosges, ready to invade the coveted provinces lost to her in 1871. At the same 49 FOREBODINGS time mobilize troops along her northern border, to enter Belgium, with the intention of overwhelming Germany from the two points' of contact. But in the crisis that would be approaching, lin- gering diplomacy would have to be relegated to the rear, as instant action would be the only means of averting a catastrophe to Germany, who being familiar with the Gaulic mode of deception, would immediately make demands on France, to declare her intentions, probably giving twelve hours or less for a reply, which if ignored, would cause Germany to declare war against France immediately. Conditions now being well in hand from a Ger- man standpoint of preparedness, she would not have to prepare her forces, as would Russia and France, but would be in a position to begin all over again the tactics employed in 1870-1. This would mean the breach of neutrality of the buffer state of Belgium, to avoid which, the German government would approach the Belgian government with a guarantee of good faith, and reprisal, for all damages inflicted. Such a request, made open and above board, would of course not meet with the ap- proval of France; and England would be likely to uphold France, for the reason that if Germany was allowed to overrun Belgium, and had access to the coast, it would mean an opposition to British sea supremacy, which under no circumstances' would be FOREBODINGS 43 tolerated. Therefore the request of Germany to Belgium would be opposed by England, under threat to land troops in Belgium to protect her neutrality, but this excuse would be too transparent to cover her real motives. Belgium in her innocence of British designs, and placing full reliance in her power, to protect her from German invasion, would assent to England's counsel, thus allowing England, who would have no real cause to enter this quarrel, except her over- weening vanity, a pretense to declare war, for the first time in her history, against Germany, and rush what few troops she had, to assume the defense of Belgium, and attempt to hide from the enlightened portion of the world, her real reason for her action. This would be the beginning of a struggle which would involve all Europe, and with European pos- sessions scattered all over the world would even- tually bring the quarrel to the western hemisphere and perhaps by some overt act, similar to the sink- ing of the Maine during the Spanish-American war, involve America, thereby fulfilling the prophecy which predicted a world's war, the cause of which would not be understood by the multitude, who would be giving up their lives to a cause entirely foreign to them, just to uphold the passions and jealousies of their respective governments. However, I do not anticipate any difficulties with the Americas. 44 FOREBODINGS Thus would power, be looking forward to increase that power, regardless of the suffering caused to dis- interested women and children. Thus would revenge satiate herself on the pinnacle of devastation and death, to avenge an insult to her vanity, and thus would peace be immolated on the altar of martyrdom, in the defense of her homes, and the national govern- ment, which assured the people peace, contentment and liberty in the rights they were entitled to. The intention of Belgium to resist the passage of German troops through her domain, assisted as she now would be by France and England, would not alter Germany's original plan of offense, but would change the conditions concerning Belgium's status in the conflict, and end in a declaration of war against Belgium by both Germany and Austria-Hungary, and attempt to take by force the passage denied them peacefully, which could only result in the ruin of Belgium. Germany, surrounded on all sides by a common enemy, whose chief ambition was to march on to Berlin, and crush this peaceful rising government, who dared to assert her rights to exist and prosper, in defiance to the dictator, knowing better than her foes, her resources, was prepared to fight the whole of Europe, if necessary, to maintain her cause. She did not look for conquest. She did not look for revenge. She had no desire to fight. But she did FOREBODINGS 45 look for peace for her people at all times, and under all circumstances. In embroiling Germany with the balance of Eur- ope, the original cause of the quarrel would be for- gotten for the time being. Servian subjugation would now be deferred, as of no consequence, it could be accomplished whenever necessary, for Aus- tria-Hungary would now be compelled to exert every energy to resist invasion from Russia, as Austrian territory would lend itself to less resistance, on ac- count of its topography ; and owing to the vast num- ber of troops Russia would ultimately put in the field, Austria realized that the greatest precaution would be needed, to protect her borders, and prevent the Russian hordes from reaching the Carpathians, for once through the mountain passes, the fertile plains of Hungary would become an easier prey to the invaders. This must be prevented at all costs. Servia with- out aid from Russia, who would now have no time to waste on the fomenter of all this trouble, would re- sign herself to a passive defense. One Hungarian army corps along her borders would prevent any offensive operations on the part of Servia, and would allow Austria-Hungary to go to the assist- ance of her ally, Germany, should such a course become necessary. 46 FOREBODINGS There is no doubt that under the terms of the dual and triple alliance, Italy would find herself between two fires, and would accept the lesser of two evils. Her obligations to Germany on the west, and to Ger- many-Austria-Hungary on the east, never did con- template the entrance of England into the quarrel. The consequence of which, after mature delibera- tion, would be to declare an armed neutrality. Italy, realizing the ineffectiveness of a British invasion on German soil, would still her conscience, thereby in forsaking her allies. On the other hand, if Italy went beyond her agreement, and stood by her allies, she would be liable to receive the brunt of British opposition, by having to defend her coast on both sides from the French and British naval attacks, and would gratuitously draw the anger of her subjects against the government which might possibly over- throw the present dynasty. The lesser of two evils for the present would be adopted, and Italy would preserve a strict neutrality with every one concerned. Every effort would be exerted to prevent a breach of this neutrality, which was all right as far as it went, but Italy knew that in the past, neutrality was only a name, and not a thing to conjure with. Here for instance would be Germany declaring war against Belgium, to overcome the principles raised up against her, to protect herself from her foes, and FOREBODINGS 47 prevent the same breach of neutrality on the part of England and France, who would invade her do- main, although not at war with her. While Germany offered Belgium peace and protection, England or- ders her land invaded, which is sure to bring ruin to that country. The world has not yet forgotten, that in the Russo- Japanese war, that Russia on the two relays which divided, on their way to engage the Japs in battle, coaled and provisioned her whole fleet in a French port, in strict violation to her proclamation of neu- trality, first at Madagascar, and later on in French Indo-China, without the quiver of an eyelash. While now England would set up a cry of unjust invasion of Belgium, which must be resisted at all costs. There is no doubt in my mind that every principle of existing international law will be violated, for every nation at war will act according to conditions as they arise, and special conditions will be created outside the pale of humanity, if same will benefit either side, for never in the history of nations has such a meaningless quarrel been foisted upon the civilized ( ?) world. England will declare she is fighting for her life, and the liberty of her people, as well as for the civilization of the world. She will forget to mention that her money bags might be in danger, and her vanity receive a shock by Germany's attempt to give 48 FOREBODINGS more liberty to all the world on the natural high- ways of the seas' to no nation's exclusion. If such be England's reason for fighting, why did she push herself forward in a quarrel that was of no concern to her ? Why enter a conflict on so gigantic a scale, the like of which she had never before engaged in? Why this constant running around with a chip on her shoulder? Why this eternal boasting of the super- iority of her navy? Was the gathering together of her troops, from all her colonies, all over the world, to hurl against her German cousin, and in fact her Fatherland, merely for the sole purpose of protect- ing the neutrality of Belgium? Was the expendi- ture of treasure, the vastness of which was never before dreamed of, for the sole purpose of showing to the world that her financial resources were un- assailable? Was the enormous loss of life (the greater portion belonging to her colonies) she was willing to sacrifice, for no other reason than to pro- tect the feeble ? No, a thousand times, no ! How many nations could rise up and point an accusing finger against their oppressor? Who would be will- ing to swallow the premeditated crushing of the Transvaal and Orange Free State? Does not every one know that England expended one thousand mil- lions of treasure and sacrificed one-quarter of her army of half a million men, just to satisfy the de- sires of two or three of her statesmen, and one FOREBODINGS 49 or two who were simply speculators? Is it not a known fact that British greed will intrude itself where she is not wanted? England's reason, and her only reason, is that she fears Germany would supersede her in industry and commerce, and take from her the dominant position she imagines she occupies in the world, the loss of which, or the sharing of which, would be more than her vanity or egotism could endure. Germany must be kept down. German thrift must be curbed. No nation shall dare to rise higher than permitted by the dictator. Even German population must be curbed, lest Germany wax too great. Liberty and justice for the world was a mere sham and pretense. Ireland's struggle for liberty for cen- turies, is a striking example. They are not cousins like Germany of a different tongue. They are her own brothers and sisters. Yet Ireland has been en- slaved even worse than any other British possession, and the noble, long-suffering Irish scattered to the four winds of heaven. Any port in a storm is their cry, rather than endure the criminal government foisted upon them, devoid of voice or representa- tion. Germany would realize that with the entrance of England in this war, her real foe would not be Rus- sia nor France, but England. Russia, bulky, slow, slave-driven and illiterate, would offer a stubborn 50 FOREBODINGS resistance and finally exhaust herself, and when she is tired of fighting, will ask for peace, having been unable to receive a particle of assistance from her allies, from whom she expected so much. France on the contrary, will not give up so quickly, assisted as she will be by Belgium and Eng- land. There is only one way in which France will sue for peace, and that will be with the fall of Paris, and Germany in possession of all her northern and eastern border, or the overthrow of the Republic, which would hasten the end. While with England, after losing her army of occupation, and cut off from all her allies, she would retire to her shores and continue to harass the merchant marine, until Ger- many would invade England, and take possession of Parliament, before England would sue for peace. British colonies all over the world would take up the quarrel of the mother country, just as if they had some vital interest in the conflict, and would attack German interests wherever they encountered them. Not content with having allies' from all Europe at her knees, she will drag in Japan to wage war against all German possessions in the Orient, and by so doing, work more harm to her own interests in the near future. Japan attacking German colonies, and meeting hardly any resistance, will feel disposed later on to do the same with England and France, as well as FOREBODINGS 51 attempt to disposses United States of her Philippine possessions, knowing that the United States would be almost helpless to protect them indefinitely. England will leave no stone unturned in her en- deavors to antagonize United States against us, and would even go so far as to cast suspicion on Ger- many, for some overt act committed by herself, in her effort to embroil America. Her disposition cannot be altered. Her past history reeks with re- vengeful quarrels, and nearly all satiated, by assist- ance from outsiders. While constantly asserting her power before the world, she is always dependent on others. Poor misguided allies, you do the work, and your dictator takes' the credit and honors. England has reached the zenith of her power, and with the ter- mination of the war, will gradually see her dissolu- tion. Woe, woe to thee, England. This will be your last war with nations of Europe. Never more will statesmen believe in your sincerity. Your perfidy will have alienated from you all your former allies, and that greatness with which you have always sought to cover your deeds and actions, will fade away, and lay bare the skeleton of your past power, splendor and — deceit. Blame no one but yourself, for the vanity and egotism of your statesmen who imagined you were invincible, and always turned a deaf ear to the pleadings of other nations against 59 FOREBODINGS your oppression and injustice. This is the sure re- ward of all, who in their selfishness, forget there is a just God, and in so doing, lose sight of the fact that their forgetfulness will react against them, in their attempt to accomplish their imaginary destiny. This war will differ from all previous conflicts. There will be no precedent. Laws of nature will be overcome. Laws of humanity will be forgotten or ignored. Laws of common decency defied. Existing laws will be so distorted, as to be valueless. Only one law will prevail, and that will be the law of self- preservation and necessity. Air ships of all kinds will be used in offense and defense. Germany's mighty dirigibles will be of tremednous power and benefit to her. But all other nations possess air craft of some kind, even though not as effective as ours. Mighty indeed will be a battle high in the heavens and unfortunate will be the unlucky wight who lost. Death swift and sure would be his por- tion. But such a fate would not deter others. Ob- servation of the enemy's position would be impera- tive, and the world is full of heroes, ready to sacri- fice their lives at the call of their country, whether on land or sea, in the air or under the sea. Submarine boats will be used for the first time, and scatter death and destruction without warning. The re- markable daring of German submarine officers and crews' in trial maneuvers, not known beyond the FOREBODINGS 53 Admiralty, will do wonders to equalize Germany's naval standing with other nations, and give her added security in protecting her North Sea coast line, and many indeed will be the English or French battle cruisers which will be sunk for daring to ap- proach too closely to the German dead line, probably without seeing the cause of their destruction, until too late. Not even the coast of England will be spared, for these daring vessels will boldly seek the shores of England on all her coast line, east, west and south, and before the war is ended, cause more loss to England from this source, than by direct bat- tle on the surface. Try to imagine a tiny air craft, five or ten thousand feet high, casting explosives directly below her on a war craft, and holding it at its mercy. Try to imagine a mighty dirigible hover- ing over London or Paris, scattering death and des- truction far below. These people may accuse us of gross crimes by such procedure. But such modern methods of warfare will have its good effects, as just such evolutions will tend to do more to make obso- lete the murderous methods employed for centuries, than all manner of arbitration, for the advanced methods of destruction, if allowed to continue, would in a few years destroy that which has taken cen- turies to build up. The higher attributes of humanity would give place to martial strife, and the doctrine of brotherly 54 FOREBODINGS love preached incessantly. A universal court, en- dowed with far reaching power, appointed and sup- ported by all the independent governments could be established in Switzerland to act on all disagree- ments arising between nations, each country en- titled to only one vote, and the decision of the ma- jority to be binding and final. This may be a dream, but if carried out, would supercede in importance anything ever attempted at the Hague. Grand Admiral von Tirpitz, Minister of the Navy. PART THREE III ET us now see in just which way- Russia will attempt to achieve her ambition, and the manner in which Germany and Austria-Hungary will resist their enemy. In the first place, Russia will be cut off from all com- munication with her allies, and made to feel and realize her position in this war is only a cloak, to hide the real object of her allies' selfishness. Ger- many being attacked on both sides, means a division of her forces, with the intention of weakening her defense. Such a fact being well recognized by the allied commanders, it would be Russia's intention to divide her land forces into four divisions and simultaneously attempt to enter Germany at her most northern border in East Prussia, with the object of taking the city and fortress of Konigs- berg, and gaining a foothold in the north, whereby, with the assistance of her navy, she would be in a 56 BEGINNING OF EASTERN position to protect this base and use it as a wedge in her operations against the surrounding country. At the same time she would make her most master- ful drive from Warsaw, using that great city as her home base of operation against both Germany and Austria-Hungary, and endeavor to enter the fertile province of Posen. Her operation against Austria-Hungary would necessitate the reduction of the fortified city of Cracow, and the possession of Lemberg, in the province of Galicia, if she was to gain a foothold in Austria, with the intention of entering Hungary, which reared up a natural barrier in the steep and rugged Carpathians. These attacks dare not be sporadic, and for Russia to mobolize an army of sufficient strength, fully equipped, with artillery, munitions of war, and com- missary, would require a full thirty days. While these preparations' were going on with the infantry, artillery and cavalry, the naval forces, such as were not in the Black sea division, and which were all, or nearly all, at their base in Kronstad and Riga, would move down the Gulf of Finland to enter the Baltic, and divide forces there, so that a portion of the fleet would have access to the North Sea, and join the allied squadron to be in a position to assist England and France in bombarding the German North Sea coast. The navy, being in AND WESTERN CAMPAIGNS 67 greater readiness to commence operations, would be able to be in fighting trim in a much shorter period of time, and be the first to start the annihilation of Germanic sea power, as well a(s show her vaunted strength and fitness to meet any conditions that might arise with her new navy, built since the Russo-Jap war. But it is the same in war as in all other things. Man proposes, but God and right disposes. Ger- many, on the other hand, would not have to wait to get her forces in readiness. For the last forty years, day after day, she has expected just exactly what now confronts her, and is not caught unpre- pared. Knowing better than her foes the points of contact, and having the best facilities in Europe for the speedy movement of her troops and mate- rial of war, immediately dispatches a sufficient addi- tional force to support the forts along her eastern border, in the province of East Prussia, from Me- mel, Tilset, Insterberg, to the marshy lake region, and then down to the great strongholds at Thorn, on the Vistula, which shall be Germany's base of operation in her invasion of Poland, for her march on Warsaw. Germany would take the initial step to repel an invasion of any part of her eastern bor- der, and with four army corps invades Poland, south of the Vistula, with Warsaw as the objective point. Before Russia realizes her danger, the German army 58 BEGINNING OF EASTERN of invasion would have met and overcome opposi- tion as far as Plock, where she is forced to in- trench. Russia, by this time, has advanced from Warsaw to meet the Germans, and both skirmish for posi- tion, without a concerted attack. At this period Russia dispatches four army corps to invade East Prussia near Lotzen, at the head of the Mazurian Lakes, where they are met on German soil, the first and last time during the war, and, not knowing the character of the soil on which they met, becoming enmeshed in the treacherous marshes, see disaster looming up before them, try to retreat, but in the rout which ensues, the Russian army becomes dis- organized, and all those not lost in the marshes are forced to surrender, having been outgeneraled by the German commander. While this disaster overtakes the Russians in their initial attack on Germany, they fare better in their attack on Lemberg, in Austrian Galicia, taking this city. But in their attack on Cracow, they are halted by superior numbers and driven back over their own border. Here they reorganize and make prepara- tions to attempt the investment of the mighty fort- ress at Przemsyl, before they attempt the siege of Cracow. But the investment of Przemysl is not so easily accomplished and this fortress, commanding the key to Cracow, as well as the passes of the AND WESTERN CAMPAIGNS 59 Carpathians, becomes a military sacrifice, holding a vast Russian army in suspense, as well as the gar- rison behind the forts, until the end of hostilities without being lost to Austria-Hungary. The German navy, however, has not been idle. The entire fleet, with the exception, probably, of five or ten cruisers, which may be on the high seas, or in the Orient, where we have a small concession in the Yellow Sea, are at their base at Kiel, and, having access to the North Sea, by way of the canal, are prepared to meet any encounter that might arise for the protection of her coast or to repel an invasion of the enemy. Germany would never think of risking her most valuable asset of protection by an offensive, ovitnumbered as she would be, three to one, by the allied British and French fleets, and as the enemies' navies would be useless to them, as far as land fighting is concerned, Germany would pay but little attention to them for the present. However, the nation realized that by such a course her merchant marine might be paralyzed by the stopping of commerce through the English Channel, which might possibly become irksome, causing the Admiralty to force reprisals without endangering its units, by use of the submarines. This apparent easiness was due to the fact that Germany was aware, while her enemies were not. 60 BEGINNING OF EASTERN that approach to the North Sea coast was prac- tically impossible. She would keep her fleet intact, until such time as it would become necessary to use it. But on the Baltic it was different. Here she had no one to fear through superior numbers. Entrance to the Baltic from the North Sea was tortuous and amply protected. Before the Russian fleet was pre- pared to leave their roads at Kronstad, Germany had mined the entrance to the Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Riga and established a patrol of subma- rines, thus effectively bottling up the Russian fleet in their home waters, where they would remain until the end of the struggle, to be captured or sunk with the taking of Riga and St. Petersburg. Russia learned her lesson in 1904-5, when her entire navy was lost to her, through incompetence and vanity, not crediting her enemy with power nor bravery, and now she will not be so lavish in her recklessness with her new navy. Besides, Ger- many is not Japan, and no one realized this more than Russia. This war would upset many notions concerning the power and usefulness of their fleets and would prove that the navy, on which all coun- tries of Europe placed their greatest amount of reliance for protection, as well as offense, would be practically useless in this conflict, except for an occasional raid now and then, in which ships would AND WESTERN CAMPAIGNS 61 not only be damaged, but sunk, with varying suc- cess to either side, depending upon speed or arma- ment. Besides, Germany was prepared to test the efficiency of the submarines, the number of which, or the model and mechanism, were unknown to her enemies. An early opportunity now presented itself. The Russian fleet, while attempting to break through the mine fields and blockade, paid dearly in the loss of two battle cruisers and immediately retired to their base. After the loss of these two units Russia made no further attempt to reach the sea, but resigned herself to the inevitable. German mines and sub- marines could be depended on to do the work and keep Russia's navy in their home waters, until such time as Germany would attempt to capture or de- stroy the entire fleet. Eternal vigilance would be the price of nullifying this danger. Our attention will now be turned westward to see how Germany would proceed in Belgium, pitted against Belgium, England and France. Immedi- ately that war would be declared against France and Belgium, German troops would enter Belgium in the Province of Liege, with Aachen as the base, and directly start the silencing of the vast number of modern forts protecting the City of Liege, the construction of which was well known to the Ger- man Staff, and while they were considered impreg- 6<2 BEGINNING OF EASTERN nable and would offer a tremendous resistance, the delay of which would cause Germany more uneasi- ness than their reduction, which would be accom- plished within seven days' time. But seven days lost would give France an opportunity to send her troops to Belgium's assistance, in their defense, and would also allow England to resort to her custom- ary tactics of dispatching a few troops and a large number of officers, to command the campaign. These maneuvers on the part of England would serve from the very beginning to sow seeds of dis- cord among the French officers and be the means of stirring up unrest and dissatisfaction among the allies later on. The rapid investment of Liege would prove to the allies that it would not be a matter of small import, united as they were, to check the German advance, but they would be compelled to strain every endeavor at their command to prevent the German army from reaching Brussels, and later Antwerp, and eventually open up the road to Paris, over the corpse of Belgium. German determination to advance rapidly would not be altered, a deviation from which would give her enemies more time to mobilize and equip for action, which must be pre- vented at all hazards. Germany must keep up her advantage of preparedness. A second army would strike south to attack Namur, while the first army AND WESTERN CAMPAIGNS 63 would attempt to reduce Louvain, which would ren- der the seat of government at Brussels helpless. Louvain would put up a stubborn resistance in the defense of her capital, but ere three days passed the German first army would take Louvain, while one day later would see the fall of Namur and pos- sibly Dinant. The terrible punishment which these cities would receive during their bombardment would cause the allies to evacuate Brussels, to save it from a similar fate, and move their archives and seat of government to Antwerp, where they imag- ined they would be in perfect safety, owing to its supposed impregnability. Germany would occupy Brussels and proclaim Bel- gium a conquest and establish a provisional govern- ment, and proceed immediately to attack Antwerp, where the remainder of Belgium's army and her allies had retired for the defense of the city and country. Anticipating a long siege, the allies would gather together immense stores and live in security while the German army hammered away at the forts. But Antwerp was rated the strongest and best de- fended fortress in Europe. The taking of this citadel in past wars had always been accomplished by lengthy sieges and a tremendous loss of life. Utter desperation of the besieged would entail a rigorous and stubborn resistance, while to Germany the possession of this most important and strategic- 64 BEGINNING OF EASTERN ally located city meant the subjugation of the king- dom. Modern science in Germany had brought out marvels in instruments of devastation and power. Germany's lead in ordnance and her ability to pro- duce the requisite pieces needed, at the psychological moment, was the primary cause of her rapid ad- vance to the gateway of Antwerp, and she would be determined to reduce the outlying forts as rap- idly as she had accomplished the reduction of Liege. Her advantage lay in her superior ability to move the troops and to handle the ordnance, as yet un- known to her enemies. English and French officers considered themselves safe but Belgium, who already saw her territory lost to her, through adherence to British advice, did not feel so secure. Having expected to receive assistance from her powerful advisors, she is now, on the contrary, defending them, as well as herself. No doubt Belgium already regrets that she did not listen to Germany but the mighty weight of that one word, Power, misled her to destruction. After one week's bombardment the outer ring of forts would begin to fall, and knowing that if the city itself received the same punishment, the end would mean more than the fall of the city, as the besieged would probably face extermination with the destruction of the city. Poor Belgium, her folly was' now to receive the bitterest blow of all. Eng- AND WESTERN CAMPAIGNS 65 land must not lose her troops and officers, no matter who else did. The loss of Antwerp was imminent, and that Germany should not benefit by the immense stores within its walls, at the command of the Brit- ish commander, they would be ordered destroyed. Further resistance being useless, Belgium would be persuaded to evacuate the city, under pretense of saving it, and the whole allied army would move southward toward France, by way of Ghent and Bruges, so that, cut off in their retreat, they would still have Ostend to fall back on, where they would be protected by the guns of the British fleet long enough to take them aboard and avoid the ignominy of falling into the hands of the German commander. The expected happened. Antwerp fell within ten days and the victorious German army assisted the city authorities' to save it from the hands of the vandals who had deliberately attempted to burn it. After hurriedly picketing the city, the army con- tinued in pursuit of the fleeing allies, who divided, a portion going to Ghent while the balance went to Bruges. The advancing Germans arrived before Ghent, which, after a slight rearguard resistance, was entered. But the enemy had fled to the French border. The other branch of the Germany army pushed forward to Bruges and met the same result. Bruges was passed by in the allies' mad rush to reach Ostend and safety. German troops then occu- 66 BEGINNING OF EASTERN pied Bruges and pushed onward to get the fleeing army at Ostend but arrived too late, as they were carried away by the allied French and British fleet. Germany established headquarters at Ostend and reached the sea. Belgium was now lost to Europe as an indepen- dent kingdom. Old King Leopold might justly turn in his grave at the mess his successor made of it. The royal family would now seek a haven of refuge in England, which was all the consolation they would receive. The situation for England was not very pleasant. England, with all her boasted strength and power, would never be able to re- store to Belgium that which her advice had lost to that nation, through her own fear of Germany. England was not fighting some defenseless nation this time but was pitted against her equals, fighting to maintain their vested rights, unhampered by any domineering power, whose only motto was, "Thus far and no further." Germany refused to be cowed. British bluff was of no avail to Germany's full hand. England was going to be made to rue the day, in sackcloth and ashes, her unnecessary en- trance into this quarrel. The conquest of Belgium had taken forty-five days, which had disarranged Germany's original plan of campaign and given her enemies ample time to guard their own borders, while the conquest AND WESTERN CAMPAIGNS 67 of Belgium forever precluded any possible chance of any of the allied enemies 1 ever reaching German soil from that direction. Armies are only flesh and blood and all needed a rest. So, while the northern army had done its duty and accomplished what was expected of them, let us see what was being done by the southern army, on the Lorraine-Alsace border. Just as rapidly as Germany acted on her Russian border and in Belgium, just so rapidly did she get her fifth army in readiness at Metz and Mulhausen, and pushed forward from both points to attack Ver- dun and Belfort. Now, to reach Verdun necessi- tated overcoming the difficulties of penetrating the dense forest of Argonne, while to reach Belfort would mean the scaling of defenses of natural bar- riers in the Vosges mountains. Each of these two armies would divide. The Metz contingent, ad- vancing against Verdun and Nancy, both extremely well fortifified, while the Mulhausen army advanced on Belfort and Epinal, even more strongly pro- tected. The object of these maneuvers was two- fold: To gain a footing on French soil and to take possession of France's only deposits of iron ore and her best supply of coal. The taking of these natural resources would mean a great deal to France's economic welfare and for that reason would be stubbornly resisted. To advance into 68 BEGINNING OF EASTERN French territory as far as Verdun, Bar-le-Duc and Belfort in the southern campaign would consume forty-five days of severe fighting, with serious re- sults to Germany as well, but the plans of the Gen- eral Staff would be carried out and, each side hav- ing intrenched, to protect their respective positions would take a breathing spell for a short time before attempting to advance. The advantage was all in the favor of Germany, for nowhere had the allied army been able to reach German soil, whereas Ger- man troops' occupied all of Belgium, a large part of Russian Poland and were safely in France on the south and strongly intrenched on the northern bor- der. While taking this hard-earned rest, Germany would prepare the way for the southern investment of Paris, which would force France to throw her entire army between Orleans, on the south, and her northern border, where the combined naval forces would be of no assistance, and serve to cut off any attempt of the allies to force troops northward from Bordeaux and Marseilles to come to the relief of the northern army. Under this plan of campaign Germany would intrench her position all along the southern line of resistance from Belfort and Besan- con to Dijon, thus cutting off supplies from Creu- sot, France's center of manufacture for arms, large and small, and munitions of war, which would AND WESTERN CAMPAIGNS 69 force her to receive her supplies from her ally, England, and with Germany's line of intrenchments drawn from Dijon to Orleans and Le Mars, thus keep open her line of communication with home on the south. The object gained would be the division of France almost in the center, thus cutting off southern France from receiving any assistance from the main army and emphasize more strongly the impotence of their navy, for assistance in their land engage- ments. To accomplish the investment of Paris from the south would demonstrate several questions vital to the government of France, as well as to the world at large. First, the utter dependence upon neutral coun- tries for munitions of war, as well as foodstuffs, and upon her ally, England, for assistance in repelling invaders. The former would be possible only by the greatest crime of modern times, that of seeing a country whose avowed intentions are supposed to be neutral straining every energy of its resources to manufcature and ship overseas to England and France, to those ports where these shipments could be discharged in safety, vast amounts of supplies for one belligerent, to the utter exclusion of the other, thereby denying in its essential points the good will toward all that the neutral countries in- tended to convey in their proclamation to the world 70 BEGINNING OF EASTERN and show conclusively that proclamations of neu- trality were a mere sham and pretense to cover their feelings of hostility against one of the bellig- erents; or to surreptitiously create an era of pros- perity in their country, with utter disregard for the real consequence which such a course would entail. This might mean a weakness on the part of the government so amenable or it may mean the ascend- ancy of commercial interests, as exploited by large corporations, over mere laws enacted for the na- tional welfare. By pursuing such a course not only does it tend to alienate the good will of a powerful nation but it also serves' to prolong the struggle, the horrors of which would be the theme of all enlightened peo- ple for its speedy ending. Second, both England and France would have to depend for their reinforcements on their colonial possessions, which would bring to Europe all man- ners of people from entirely different races, whose fighting instincts differ from the Caucassian races and whose lust for blood would greatly endanger the allied discipline and morale, by the indiscrimi- nate mixing of their troops, in a position of equality. A white man's antipathy for any other color, su- perior or inferior, is too well known to receive any mention from me, and would be the means of creat- ing mutiny and discontent in their ranks, if placed AND WESTERN CAMPAIGNS 71 on a parity with each other. Another fact that will stand out prominently is, that the novelty of travelling long distances from their home, to see the sights, will wear away, espe- cially when they are convinced that of them are expected the most arduous duties and perilous' posi- tions and become the brunt of the advance lines, to safeguard the home contingent, who would achieve all the glory and benefits of their valor and heroism. Such a course would result in vast benefit to Germany and be the means of forcing an earlier victory and consequently a more rapid accomplish- ment of the main object aimed at. In times past it has always been the habit of foreign residents to organize a legion, distinct from the main army, but allied to it and really forming part and parcel of the country, to take active part in all engage- ments against the enemy, utterly disregarding the laws of their home country, which are neutral, and to their eternal shame and disgrace. Such com- batants should be refused their birthright and made to realize that they cannot serve two masters. Either be a patriot to their country or be branded as a hireling and classed among the lowest order of criminals. PART FOUR PART IV OW let us return to our eastern bor- der and see how we will deal further with Russia, to prevent her from ren- dering any assistance to her allies or prevent her from advancing on Ger- man soil. When Germany defeated Russia's attempt to enter East Prussia and met her overwhelming defeat in the loss of her second army, Germany prepared to follow up her advan- tage with her victorious troops and march north- ward to take the Baltic provinces and occupy Libau and Riga, sinking whatever part of the fleet lay there, keeping well along the coast so as to be under the protection of her navy, which, since the bottling up of the Russian navy in their home roads, would have free and unhampered access to all affluents of the Baltic, and endeavor to march on to St. Petersburg, thus forcing the government to 74 ENTRANCE OF TURKEY move to its original capital at Moscow and keep her position isolated. These maneuvers would serve to awaken Russia to her folly and convince her more emphatically than any argument that she would have to depend solely upon her own resources and that she had become the fifth wheel in the British diplomatic carriage, from which she might expect no tangible results or assistance. Such an awakening would naturally arouse all the pent up rancor of Slavic hatred for such treatment and cause her to cast her eyes southward toward the goal of her life-long ambition and attempt to secure by her own efforts the pearl of the Mediterranean and establish in Constantinople the capital of all Russia, and what was of equal importance, an all the year haven in warm waters for her fleet. The Greek church, of which Russia was the head and front, would have a suitable home and vie with Rome the splendor of her belief, and re-establish the church in the city of its inception. Such a desire would now animate Russia, seeing that England, who had always vio- lently opposed such a course, was now too busy with her own affairs to interfere with Russia's ambition, and Russia would, by some overt act, seek a quarrel with Turkey, whom she imagined would be at her mercy. INTO CONFLICT 75 A declaration of war would be the result and with her Black Sea fleet she would attempt to force a passage through the Bosphorus (just as though the Turks would be asleep) and gain the city before England and France could intervene, to balk her intentions, allies though they were. This act would embroil other Balkan states, who, under promises from Russia, would cast their lot, not with the allies, but with Russia only. Roumania would be promised Hungarian Transylvania, which she has always coveted, while Bulgaria would be promised Turkish Adrianople, neither of these two kingdoms realizing that the possession of Constan- tinople by Russia would mean the overthrow and absorption of their territory into the Russian Em- pire, for Russia would want full control of the territory facing the Black Sea on its western shores. While these two states would be misled in their enthusiasm to enlarge their boundaries, they would lose sight of the fact that their act would open a road from Berlin, Vienna and Budapest, direct to Constantinople, where the defense of the Darda- nelles and the Bosphorus would be in the hands of German commanders, owing to a secret treaty with Turkey. The Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, having been for hundreds of years the object of European jealousies, had been secretly strengthened by Ger- 76 ENTRANCE OF TURKEY man engineers in 1908-9 with the most modern ordnance German science could produce and would be proof against any assault Turkey's combined enemies might bring against her. While Russia would attempt to gain her ambi- tion in Turkey, with the aid of her Black Sea fleet, she would send a portion of her army to assist Roumania and Bulgaria in their desires, leaving the investment of Constantinople from the interior to her dupes, who, IF successful, would be deprived of any advantage they might gain. While these stirring events would occupy the attention of the two Balkan states, Russia would be gaining strength to resist the German advance on Warsaw and prosecute her own attempt to ad- vance in Austria, who would be moving northward with an army into Poland, to form a junction with Germany in the reduction of the important city of Lodz, which would be successfully accomplished. Russian troops would be forced to fall back on Warsaw, while another Russian army advancing from Lemberg would try to force the passes in the Carpathians, to enter Hungary. Meeting no suc- cess there and repulsed with heavy losses, Russia would endeavor to advance on Cracow, but the Aus- trian army, outflanking Russia, she would be forced to flee to Warsaw after evacuating Lemberg, and Galicia, to protect her base against a combined INTO CONFLICT 77 German and Austrian attack, which results in the occupation of Warsaw, through the capture of the immense chain of formidable fortifications guard- ing that city, extending from Riga, Mitau, Kovno, Vilna, Grodno and Bialystok from the north, and Kielce, Krasnik, Lublin, Radom and Brest Litovsk from the south, throwing back the Russian forces to their outer defense line of Moscow. After nine months of strenuous warfare, and ef- fectually shutting off Russia's attempt to take Cra- cow or enter Germany from the south, as well as clearing Austrian territory of Russian troops, Rou- mania's attempt to sieze Hungarian Transylvania ends disastrously, for Bucharest is taken by Hun- garian troops and Roumania is annexed to Austria, who also occupies Russian Odessa. Russia, being hard beset by German and Austrian troops, is in no position or humor to render Roumania any as- sistance, thus meting out to her dupe the same treatment Belgium received from England and France. Bulgaria's attempt to subjugate Turkey also drew upon her the united armies of Austria-Hungary, who went to the assistance of Turkey, who espoused the cause of Germany and Austria, and any attempt by the allied armies against Turkey was an implied threat against the security of her friends. Thus we find Germany and Austria fighting to prevent 78 ENTRANCE OF TURKEY Russia from accomplishing her desires as well as defending the straits leading to Constantinople from British and French attack in their desire to fore- stall Russia. Here we have a spectacle with no precedent in history: allies fighting against their avowed enemies for one cause while the same allies are fighting among themselves to prevent one of their number accomplishing another cause. When thieves fall out look sharply for some foul reprisal. About this same time, after the fall of Warsaw, Russian aggression was not so strong and Austria- Hungary devoted their attacks to the long-deferred subjugation of Servia, who, having been left in security all this time, had not anticipated such a move so suddenly. After two weeks' attack on the defenses protecting Belgrade, Austrian troops en- tered the city, stifled the fire which the fleeing Servians had started and directly started in pursuit, hoping to catch up to them before they would be able to enter the fastnesses around Nish, but with- out success. Here the king, government and army felt safe, but were again compelled to leave their haven of rest in the pursuers' hands, retreating to their last stand at Uskup. The Austrian-Hungarian army, being augmented at Nish, proceeded toward Sofia, to distract the Bulgars' offensive against Adrianople, who would INTO CONFLICT 79 hurry back to the defense of their capital. The Turkish army, being officered by the Germans, would follow the Bulgars, who, caught on both sides, would be forced to surrender, while their king and staff were made prisoners of state to Austria-Hungary, the Hungarian government an- nexing this conquest and establishing a government under a provisional governor. The victorious army now turned its attention toward Uskup, where the Servian government was making its final stand. After putting up a stubborn resistance the Servian army was annihilated, while their king and chiefs were captured and brought to Vienna as ordinary prisoners, without the custom- ary parole allowed to officers. Thus, about one year after the assassination of Austria's heir, through the instigation of Servian officials, that country was occupied by her enemy and lost all by her cupidity. Austria was avenged, but the price did not compensate her for the enor- mous losses she sustained in the flower of her young men, who gave up their lives for their country and the honor of their wronged sovereign. Bulgaria and Roumania, who listened to the siren voice of Russia, instead of peacefully minding their own affairs, were now swallowed up in the mael- strom of political necessity and never more would there be a Balkan question to disturb the peace of 80 ENTRANCE OF TURKEY Europe by their petty jealousies and constant quar- rels, which would be a fit ending to all nations whose ideals were not founded on peace and con- tentment. No need to mention Montenegro. She was swallowed up for her rashness in assisting Servia. The victorious German army, after an interval of rest at Warsaw and Riga, would now begin to advance west and north, never deviating from the original plan of the Kaiser's staff, to occupy St. Petersburg and Moscow. Beginning the first quar- ter of the second year of bitterly-contested warfare, the German Baltic army pushes forward for their final advance on St. Petersburg. An investment of three months would bring this proud city to its knees in unconditional surrender to the German commander. The royal family and the government had fled long before to Moscow, the Imperial fam- ily taking up their residence within the walls of Kremlin. With the fall of St. Petersburg the main portion of the Russian navy attempted to break through the mine barriers and blockade at Revel, but met an untimely end. The sinking of four battle cruisers by submarines and the solid formation of the Ger- man squadron within a league's distance caused the balance of the fleet to surrender. INTO CONFLICT 81 While the northern army was carrying out the plans of the general staff without a hitch the southern army had left Warsaw for Moscow as the objective point, where the entire Russian strength was now entrenched, and put forth every energy it possessed to stop the victorious allied German and Austrian army in their attempt to reach Moscow. The Russian army — that is, the units of the army, or rank and file — were thoroughly disheartened by their constant reverses and had lost all ambition as well as confidence in the ability of their command- ers, and after a ten-week assault on the outlying fortifications, Moscow capitulated. The occupation of Moscow was not accompanied by the capture of any vast number of troops of the line, as nearly all had accompanied the royal family, who fled to Nijni Navgorod. The victorious Teuton allied army had earned a well-needed rest and settled down to enjoy the com- forts of city life. The army of occupation at St. Petersburg were instructed to remain, pending the capture or surrender of the Czar and his family at Nijni Navgorod. The Russian army was exhausted and would not be able to hold out much longer. The once proud army of offense, numbering over eighty army corps, was now reduced to less than twenty-five, and most of these were with the Czar, ready to oppose the 82 ENTRANCE OF TURKEY German and Austrian strength, which numbered around forty army corps, with only one hope before them. The prayer was' for a quick victory and a speedy return to peace with their powerful neigh- bor, who, no doubt, would be just as pleased to see the end of a struggle, the termination of which would be vastly different to what she had so fondly expected almost two years previously. Her eyes were now opened to see the cunning net thrown out by her allies, to waste her resources, just to keep us occupied and our strength divided, so that they could benefit thereby. It is now necessary to return to our western bor- der and see how the plans, as originally intended, were carried out in France. After the escape of the British army at Ostend and the return of the French to their own border the German western armies' were once more on the march. Before Eng- land had an opportunity to land sufficient troops in France, Germany had occupied Lille, Valenciennes, Rocroy, Sedan, Rheims and Soissons. The French were alarmed and hastily withdrew the government to Fontainebleau. This advance almost to the outer ring of forts around Paris had alarmed England as well as France, who saw a speedy disastrous ending to the fray, almost in its inception. This caused England to land an immense army of occupation in Calais, INTO CONFLICT 83 the result of which would alter the plan of ad- vance and cause Germany to intrench her position at Soissons, Rheims and Verdun and retreat far enough to the French border to prevent the British army of occupation from flanking their rear, which would cut off the German base. The German army would now have only one great object in view. The drive to Paris would be abandoned for the present, and every endeavor made to reach the French coast cities of Dunkirk and Calais, on the narrows of the English channel, as well as Havre, the possession of which would pre- vent any further landing of troops in her rear and would force the allied English and French, and pos- sibly some Belgian troops, to fall back on Paris, for the protection of that city. Just exactly as the German staff had planned, so had the maneuvers brought this to pass. The op- posing armies entrenched themselves and skirmished for the opportunity to annihilate each other. Just about this time the Allies declared war on Turkey. To divert Germany's attention in this waiting game, England, as well as France, rushed the best portion of their united fleet to the Mediter- ranean for a concerted attack on the Dardanelles, with intent to rush a passage in their dash on to Constantinople. But this passage is impervious' to any onslaught that might be brought to bear upon 84 ENTRANCE OF TURKEY it. The entrance is heavily mined for the first fifteen miles and many of the concealed batteries have submerged torpedo tubes, which are utterly unassailable. Should it be, by any possible chance, that any ship or ships' should run the gauntlet, they would all be destroyed at the Hellespont, for noth- ing would be able to go beyond that point owing to the magnificent secret concealed submerged bat- teries with their innumerable torpedo tubes domi- nating every fifty feet of passage. The guarding of this passage, as well as the construction, was in the hands of German officers', who could be de- pended upon to resist any attempt the Allied fleet resorted to. The dash was made, but with disastrous results, for they lost the greater portion of their first line fleet seemingly without much resistance, sunk by torpedoes, submarines, floating and anchored mines, while the direct fire from the land batteries was only a diversion to allure a concerted passage. The Allies did not have the Turks to contend with but were faced by Germany, always alert and watchful, to safeguard her interests. This blow was the greatest received by the Allies in the entire conflict, as by it they lost the flower of their united naval forces, and weakened their position for their home defense. It also proved to England that if they could not force the Darda- INTO CONFLICT 85 nelles with a mighty armada of floating steel, she need have no reason to fear that Russia would fare any better and that Russia would have to give up her dream of making Constantinople her capital city. England's fear that Russia would control the Bosphorus and indirectly menace her Asiatic pos- sessions were for the present stilled, as England, with all her tricky diplomacy, was not broad-minded nor generous enough to take her thoughts away from her money bags sufficiently long to think that all nations worshipped the same god, or that 1 govern- ments could possibly have higher ideals than those encrusted with gold. This fault is peculiarly domi- nant among English-speaking countries. The disastrous result of the Allies' attempt to force the Dardanelles turned their attention imme- diately homeward and to France with their now hazardous position on the continent. The entrenched northern positions were apparently unassailable. Germany did move her forces closer to Paris from the south but the northern positions were strongly contested. The entire English army of occupation, as well as France's forces, were confined along the northern and western border of France and were exerting titanic energy to prevent the loss of Dun- kirk and Calais', which were the avowed positions aimed at by the German forces. Without these two 86 ENTRANCE OF TURKEY ports Germany would not feel safe to change her tactics, as they offered opportunity for a rear flank- ing movement. For nine whole months the combined Allied forces resisted Germany's endeavor to dislodge them from their position, with small varying success, but were at last compelled to give way through superior ord- nance and overwhelming numbers, leaving these strategical cities in the hands of the German forces. The probable cost to Germany could not be counted at less than one hundred thousand lives to achieve this victory, which would be of untold value to all neutral nations for all future time. The Allied armies retreated southward toward Soissons, where the German forces had been en- trenched from almost the beginning of hostilities, awaiting the fall of the channel coast cities. Paris was open to the Allies, who had marched their entire forces along a line of resistance from Havre, Rouen, Beauvais and Compiegne to meet the Ger- mans, who were entrenched at Crevecour, Noyon, Soissons, Rheims, Verdun and Nancy, giving them open communication with home from north and west. The final drive was to be centered around Soissons. The Allied army saw disaster looming up large before them. Their forces were exhausted by the terrible strain of being so long hemmed in during INTO CONFLICT 87 the past second nine months. Nearly all their sup- plies had come from overseas. Now their principal ports of entry were closed to them and they would be compelled to husband their stores. France and England were not self-sustaining countries like Ger- many, who did not depend on outside assistance for anything, but produced all her national needs. France had twenty-five army corps and England twelve army corps, desperate with their position, opposed to Germany's fifty corps, stretched along their line of offense and in the vicinity of Soissons was to be the final stand. Never before in the known annals of the world had such an enormous gathering of forces opposed one another. Never before had such instruments of destruction been used in warfare. Never before was the movement of troops known simultaneously to each other, through air craft, wireless and telephone as now, and never before in the history of nations was RIGHT fighting against might and selfishness, jeal- ousy and greed for world power, as now. Germany would fight to the last man and the end of her re- sources to keep forever FREE the natural high- ways of the seas for all the world, without let or hinderance, that would forever remove the constant menace to all nations dependent on their unobstruct- ed use in the welfare of their national life and well being. The Allied forces could already read 88 ENTRANCE OF TURKEY the writing on the wall, "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Urpharsin," and saw the dissolution of their em- pires. They would not believe in the charity of Germany. They would not believe that Germany would forego the fruits of her victories. They did not believe that Germany would apply the Golden Rule toward nations as' accepted by theological stu- dents. Their hearts were closed to all instincts of mercy, and they naturally imagined that Germany had the same hard heart. With such thoughts in their minds they would fight with desperation, never dreaming that Germany would ever again try to Germanize a conquered nation with disposition and speech directly opposite their own. The lines were drawing closer and closer each day, with the Allies on the defensive. They imag- ined the opposing forces about equal. The last great drama of the world's war was about to close. Germany met the enemy fairly and squarely ten miles south of Soissons. The Allied army had grad- ually drawn in their forces to make a final attempt to break through the German wedge, fully expecting to accomplish their object. The Germans met them, as expected, and more. The Allied vanguard was overcome by superior numbers' and outflanked. Be- fore they could recover from these maneuvers they were surrounded and the entire French army and British army of occupation were forced to lay down INTO CONFLICT 89 their arms in unconditional surrender, or be anni- hilated. The battle of Soissons will always be remembered as the greatest in the world's history, with over eighty-five army corps contending, and that to Ger- many's method of militarism and preparedness was due the successful termination of this battle, in their favor. France was through with resistance and asked for peace, while England, in her vanity, attempted to lock herself up on her islands and continue the struggle. The loss of her army of occupation, com- prising the flower of her strength and her best offi- cers, who were all prisoners of war, deprived Eng- land of her dependable commanders, and while it should have served to awaken her to her folly, in reality acted exactly opposite and was as a red flag to an angry bull. Her vanity was not yet pierced, even if her armor was shattered, and in her wanton contempt for everything not English, she imagined she still had a chance to bring victorious Germany to her way of thinking. In one of the American states there is a byword, "I am from Missouri and must be shown." So Germany set about to show England all that was necessary. The Royal Guard House at western end of Unter den Linden, and Exclusive Club of Officers of the Guard and all those high in the Naval or Military Service. PART FIVE HE great conflict was now nearing the end, after almost two years' duration. The victorious German army had overrun all of Russian Poland, the Baltic provinces, taken Riga and St. Petersburg, while the German-Aus- trian forces were safely enjoying the comforts of Moscow. Russian vandalism had attempted to carry out the same tactics that confronted Napoleon in 1812, when the city was burned, but the German- Austrian forces, by their prompt activity and better discipline, prevented the conflagration and saved the city, not only for their own protection but as a warning to Russia not to needlessly destroy works of art precious to her national history. The Im- perial family had fled to Nijni Novgorod, which was to be the final stand of the Russian army. Russia was exhausted and anxious to conclude peace, weary of being the fifth wheel in the Britisn 92 INVASION OF ENGLAND diplomatic carriage and now painfully aware that in the entire struggle of nearly two years she had never been able to receive a particle of aid from her French ally and Europe's powerful dictator. Within a few days the entire Russian army was invested on all sides at Nijni Novgorod and, seeing retreat cut off in all directions, the Czar, to save his brave followers from a gruelling fire and the horrors of another great battle, sent out a flag of truce and in person surrendered his sword and legions to the allied German and Austrian hosts in unconditional surrender. The Czar and his en- tire staff were soon on their way to Berlin to accept the forced hospitality of the Kaiser, pending the outcome of peace negotiations. The meeting of the Czar and the Kaiser was pathetic. Both wept; the Kaiser, with joy at the end of the conflict, and the Czar, with humiliation. The Czar and family were given the freedom of the Palace, and for the first time in his life experi- enced the joy of living without fear in his heart, to come and go, and feel that even though a prisoner of state, he enjoyed God's greatest blessing of per- sonal liberty, entirely untrammeled. Germany was now relieved of an all-powerful enemy on her eastern border and was thus in a position to turn her attention to the west. While this all-important event was transpiring, that elimi- INVASION OF ENGLAND 93 nated Russia as a unit of contention, even now more momentous events were occupying the west- ern cohorts. The great battle before Soissons had ended dis- astrously to the French, British and what was left of the Belgians, and the greatest battle of modern times was now a mere matter for historians or something for posterity to conjure with. The city of Paris, which had long been invested from the south, was' also ready to capitulate, and within ten days after the battle of Soissons, with the loss of her main army, Paris was a second time within fifty years occupied by her ancient enemy. But what a contrast ! The futility of risking another siege was aban- doned. Modern science today would have ruined the beautiful city on the Seine in a bombardment, so the new government put up no resistance and surrendered the city without malice. With the fall of Paris came more tangible de- mands for peace. But great events had happened in France within the few months prior to the Ger- man entry into Paris. The volatile French had re- ceived a rude awakening. The people cried out against the government, and the revolution that ensued had overthrown the republic, and by pop- ular acclamation a Bourbon prince was re-estab- lished on the throne of his ancestors. This act 94 INVASION OF ENGLAND was very pleasing to the German government and helped considerably to mitigate the punishment of France, as the German nation had pre-determined to make France suffer for her folly. Upon the French king surrendering to the Crown Prince of Germany, France was immediately given to understand that outside of small territorial con- cessions, the new kingdom would remain intact, and that Germany would prove her friend in assist- ing her to build up her broken finances and ruined industry. This was much more than the French nation had expected, and was received amid gen- eral rejoicing. After the surrender of the British army of occu- pation a more concerted and determined attempt was made to bring England to her knees. With this end in view, Germany determined to invade England, especially after the destruction of the Mediterranean fleet while attempting to force the Dardanelles, in order to reach Constantinople be- fore Russia, with the sole aim of crowding out any possible chance that Russia might force the Bos- phorus and claim the eastern key to the Mediter- ranean sea, by right of priority of occupation. Such an event would be wholly against all reason from a British viewpoint, and from a diplomatic stand- point, ruination to British Indian interests. INVASION OF ENGLAND 95 The German admiral left Calais and Dunkirk with two separate divisions of his fleet, which had been preserved in safety pending a greater equaliza- tion of sea power, and shortly after encountered the British channel squadron off the Solent, about equally divided as to armament and tonnage. After a terrific fire from both sides, during which the British lost two-thirds of their opposing fleet and Germany a goodly portion of hers, it was seen that the German admiral had the advantage, and the remaining British vessels surrendered. Consternation now seized the British, for within three days Germany landed two army corps, and Portsmouth and Southampton fell easy victims to the invading army. The German admiral then dis- patched another fleet to the Irish Sea to follow up his plan of aggression, and attempt to force a battle with the home fleet, which was protecting Liver- pool, the last open port England had with overseas trade. The meeting of the opposing fleets occurred off Holyhead and the British fleet suffered a worse fate than did the Channel fleet. German subma- rines were once more on the front and were the chief cause of the defeat. The German losses were comparatively light, in consequence. The signal service rendered Germany by the use of subma- rines in the Dardanelles and here, off the coast of 96 INVASION OF ENGLAND England, as well as with the Russian fleet before St. Petersburg, would make obsolete the giant dreadnaughts as a bulwark of security, having dem- onstrated the superior service rendered by the smaller, lighter and cheaper craft. No doubt all nations will welcome the change. Before ten days had elapsed, Liverpool and Man- chester were entered by six army corps, and the march from west and south began toward London. The unexpected had happened. England, so long immune to invasion, was in no position to resist the invaders. At Birmingham, the British made a stand and were overwhelmingly defeated, mainly owing to the rawness of their army, as all her trained men and officers were placed hors du com- bat on French soil. In the meantime four more army corps had been landed at Southampton, and joined the southern army of invasion on the road to London, which now, cut off from west and south, made a final attempt to stand off the inevitable. Within the week German troops were stationed all over London, and the English people sued for peace, the first time since they lost the fight with United States in 1815. The royal family had fled to the fastnesses of the Scottish Highlands. It was useless to try to bring them back, as the king was not so important a factor as the parliament, which, being in tele- INVASION OF ENGLAND 97 graphic touch with their sovereign, acquiesced in the desires of the people, and a peace conference was suggested, to which France and Russia assented. Without much deliberation it was decided that Washington, United States of America, would be acceptable to all, to which Germany consented. Meanwhile German troops would occupy London, Liverpool and Southampton in England, Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia, and Paris in France, until such time as peace was concluded. It was agreed that each government was to ap- point two commissioners and one secretary, with full power to act, subject to confirmation by their ruler only. The government at Washington was immediately approached on the subject and accepted the honor conferred. The President of the United States was then chosen by all the governments con- cerned to act as president ex-officio of the con- ference, and all questions in dispute to be left to him as a court of last resort, and his decisions to be binding and final. The government at Wash- ington then, through its Congress, at the request of the President, tendered the Conference the use of the Congressional Library auditorium and the private offices adjoining. The opening day was eagerly looked forward to by the Press of the civilized world, who had their representatives on the ground to catch all the de- 98 INVASION OF ENGLAND liberations of the peace conference, so that it could be submitted as quickly as possible to their various publications, and through them, to the world at large. However, as the appointed day approached, it was decided that the first day's deliberations only would be open to the public and the general press, as on that day the digest of the demands would be submitted and the most important speeches given. The following days only one reporter for each coun- try represented would be allowed. The diplomatic reason involving this procedure was that the con- ference could handle a few with greater ease, if it became necessary to lend secrecy to some point at issue, pending confirmation from their governments. All vital points now being agreed upon by all concerned, the opening day was anxiously awaited. Being so convenient to the social and intellectual centers of the American seaboard, a vast conflux of the more fortunate members of the elite were on hand to witness the opening session of a peace conference destined to live forever as the most im- portant meeting of modern times, especially con- cerning the momentous principle involved, which was to bring a lasting peace to the peoples of Europe and open up a new era of prosperity for all those whose nations had been so long torn by internal strife. INVASION OF ENGLAND 99 The peace commission, upon assembling in the city of Washington, were composed of the delegates from each of the nations engaged in the world's late unpleasantness, and represented Germany and her allies, Austria-Hungary and Turkey, as the vic- tors. The conquered nations represented England, France and Russia, Belgium, Servia, Bulgaria, Rou- mania and Montenegro. While Japan was allowed a delegate, it was more a matter of courtesy, to hear the deliberations and not to partake in them, but solely to show her the rashness of entering into unholy alliances with Christian nations, in their de- sire to use the Orient to further their schemes of aggrandizement, without giving anything in return. Japan learned her lesson too late to prevent her spending lives and treasure, but it is presumed she will forever remember the treatment accorded her, and avoid in the future any more entanglements proposed by European diplomats. The hour drawing near for the beginning of for- malities, every one was seated according to his political importance around the large rectangular table provided for the occasion. The auditorium was gala with the flags of the countries represented, as well as the United States, and elaborately deco- rated with palms and flowers, the gift of Congress. The elite and beauty of the nation were in formal attendance, and cast over the audience a feeling of 100 INVASION OF ENGLAND joyousness that the beginning of the end was at hand. The head of the table was reserved for the Presi- dent of the United States, as chairman ex-officio. At the right side of the President sat Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey. Opposite sat Russia, France and England. The reason Belgium, Bul- garia, Roumania, Servia and Montenegro were not represented in the conference, was because these kingdoms no longer existed, nor had anything to arbitrate, having become, through annexation,- as a conquest, part and parcel of those victorious coun- ries now about to make their demands from Russia France and England as to the price of peace. At the appointed hour of two p. m. the great doors of the assembly room opened and His Excel- lency, the President, was announced. A hush per- vaded the audience, eager to catch every word. The president walked rather briskly and seemed in the best of spirits. It was easily apparent that he realized the great importance of this gathering and just what it portended. As he approached his seat, all arose, bowed cordially, while the President greeted each one singly and then, still standing, addressed these words to his audience: "Gentlemen of this peace conference : The gratifi- cation I feel at being appointed chairman ex-officio of this vastly important conference, and the con- INVASION OF ENGLAND 101 fidence reposed in the government of the United States, through its President, by the great European nations, merits a few words preliminary to the opening of your deliberations. I want you all to feel that, while the United States government was sorely tried throughout the late unpleasantness, that we had to pursue our course of unarmed neutrality, being on terms of friendship and good will with all the nations concerned, and that we are deeply grieved at the enormous loss of life, spent to determine your vested rights, as you saw it. In this mighty clash of arms all precedents of previous warfare were voided, all tenets of international law violated, and treaties of neutrality trodden under the heavy heel of necessity. Might was right. Kingdoms have fallen as though built of cards, and human jealousies raised to the highest pitch of excitement. All principles of humanity and brotherly love, so long fostered and raised to the highest pinnacle by our modern thought and enlightened education, were debased or forgotten in the mad rush to anni- hilate each other. Uncontrolled licentiousness ran riot, leaving its foul imprint on society, and men were transformed into brutes. But to all things there is an end. In this case, to the victor belong the spoils. Now that strife has ceased and quiet- ness once more holds the millions, still in arms, until this conference is concluded, I sincerely trust 102 INVASION OF ENGLAND that the victors, as represented on my right, will be as lenient as is compatible with their dignity and sense of justice. "It is not for me to inquire into the justice of either side of your quarrels. However, I cannot refrain from mentioning that nearly all neutral na- tions suffered equally with you, and are thankful that the former order of "Peace on earth, good will toward men," will once more prevail over the civilized world. Should any of you in any way desire the settlement of any question at issue, and refer it to me for final acceptance and adjudication, I trust that you will understand that I will only answer such questions in such manner as finds a precedent in American law and justice, from a purely American viewpoint, and that I will not be biased either way in any contention that arises. "My sole desire is that you gentlemen will con- clude your deliberations' with all dispatch, that Europe may return speedily to commerce, husbandry and lasting peace. May the God we all reverence look down upon us and guide us in the duties dele- gated to each of us, so that all mankind may be in a position to bless His Name. "Gentlemen, I call this assembly to its duties, and personally ask of Germany to show as much leniency as possible." Here the President sat down, and all the rest did the same. The Royal Palace on the River Spree. This magnificent Palace is 650 feet long and 380 feet deep. PART SIX VI HE German Chancellor, who repre- sented the Kaiser, then arose and ad- dressed himself to the President: "Your Excellency, on behalf of their Imperial Majesties of Germany, Aus- tria-Hungary and the Sultan of Tur- key, I wish to thank you for your kind words, and on our part can assure you that our demands from each of our late adversaries will not be such as would offend your sensibilities and sense of justice, nor should they offend our brother nations. "This quarrel was thrust upon us, and surrounded, as we were, on all sides by powerful enemies and deprived of an ally, we were compelled by our geo- graphical position to use the utmost latitude in de- fending ourselves from utter annihilation. "In our arrangements for this conference we have insisted that only England, France and Russia be represented in the deliberations, because the other 104 PEACE CONFERENCE belligerents have lost their entity. I have been em- powered by our allies of Austria-Hungary and Tur- key to be their spokesman in this assembly and under these conditions will lay before you our de- mands. "However, before touching on this subject, there is another matter which I will endeavor to explain, that there should be no doubt concerning the origin of this stupendous upheaval, that has left its im- print on nearly every family in Europe, and mourn- ing for some loved one over almost the entire Christian world. I will state as concisely as pos- sible the only reason why Germany was drawn into a war which we did not want, so posterity, as well as the living, may not misjudge us. It seemed to all, from the very beginning of hostilities, that the consensus of public opinion was against Germany, and that we wanted war and were eagerly looking for a pretext. This came from the opinions of the general press, who misled their readers, and who were in no position to understand that most of these opinions were uttered with the malicious pur- pose that their utterance was desired to create in the minds of the public. For forty years Germany has labored assiduously for peace, gaining strength commercially, and living in amity with all the world. It is well known that in some instances, while pre- serving this peace, we submitted more than once to AND PRICE OF PEACE 105 humiliation and drew upon us the anger of our own people, as well as the opprobrium of other na- tions'. Our beloved ruler, knowing that peace could not endure, proceeded to strengthen the nation and place it in readiness against the time that hostilities might ensue, and by this method create the respect that our country was entitled to. This laborious and studied operation of protection earned for him the sobriquet of War Lord, which was very dis- tasteful to him, for this insinuation was as unde- served as anything could possibly be. In private life his Majesty has always had the fear of strife in his heart, and the fear of Gad always before him, dreading the day that would tear Europe to its very foundations. His great foresight and this prepared- ness justified itself, for when the lightning struck, it meant instant activity. "The first act, and by far the most serious, was the cutting of our cables, which lay in the narrow English Channel, so that we had no communication with overseas nations, and therefore could not get official data to our neutral friends, who imagined by our silence that we gloried in the prospect ahead of us. Being surrounded on all sides by adversaries, the public, not having our side of the controversy, were led to believe us the aggressors, through the garbled reports that were flashed all over the world. Until the very last the people did not realize that 106 PEACE CONFERENCE every dispatch from Europe, no matter if emanat- ing from St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Paris, Ber- lin, Vienna or London, was stopped by the British censor. Wireless messages suffered the same fate. The private governmental notes of the United States to its European ambassadors, and vice versa, were brought to the British censor. "Under these conditions, how could we presume to set our cause before a discriminating public? The thousands of brilliant victories for the allies and the equally thousands of crushing defeats for us on land and sea, are now only too apparent that the news was misleading, and so given out for the sole purpose of creating sympathy for themselves, and attempting to stir up trouble with neutral coun- tries. "The assassination of the heir to the Austrian- Hungarian throne occurred jointly with his beloved wife, in the capital of one of his country's' prov- inces, by the hired tools of Servian conspirators, and when Austria-Hungary called upon Servia to give up the conspirators to justice, had that nation complied, this untold misery and suffering and deva- station would never have occurred. His Majesty, Emperor Francis Joseph, had dearly earned the title of Man of Many Sorrows. That, with at- tempts to assassinate, the mysterious disappearance of his gifted brother, the violent death of his only AND PRICE OF PEACE 107 son, Prince Rudolph at Mayerling, the assassina- tion of his beloved wife, Empress Elizabeth, the mystery surrounding an unrecognized daughter, the violent death of his brother Maximillian, the insan- ity of his sister, and finally, the assassination of his nephew and heir, together with his princess, were more than falls to the lot of the average man. His personal sorrows were following him in his old age, to the verge of the grave, and his desire at the last moment for revenge was all that was left to him. Any other person would have long before fallen under the weight of such afflictions, but monarch s, who guard the lives and welfare of their countries, are loath to plunge their nations into a war for personal gratification. "The offense was too great this time to be over- looked and the nation, not the ruler, demanded sat- isfaction. But Servia, egged on by Russian influ- ence, refused to comply, so that Austria-Hungary declared war on Servia, with the intention of tak- ing that justice by force of arms' that was refused to her in peace. "Neutral countries may question why this quarrel should not have been settled by an international conference, as was the late Balkan crisis, to which I reply, that the Balkan conference decided matters of interest to several of the great powers, whereas the question at issue between Austria-Hungary and 108 PEACE CONFERENCE Servia related only to these two countries. The declaration of war by Austria-Hungary was fol- lowed immediately by the mobilization of troops by Russia, who anticipated that this move on her part would block the determination of Austria-Hungary to seek her rights, but Russia never made a greater mistake in all her history. Austria-Hungary was seeking justice for a foul wrong, and interference by all of Europe would not cause her to deviate in her path of revenge. "Now, the mobilization of troops by Russia was considered a hostile act, threatening the peace of Germany, and upon Germany's request to demobi- lize her army and declare her intentions, which, being flatly refused by Russia, Germany, absolutely innocent in the matter, had no other recourse than to immediately declare war on Russia, and went to the assistance of her ally, Austria-Hungary. "This unreasonable act of Russia is the primary cause of the great conflict which was soon to draw many nations into a war, the consequences of which they could not foresee. "At the same time that the note went to Russia demanding demobilization, France, as the hand-in- glove ally of Russia, started mobilizing her troops to go to the assistance of Russia should any serious development occur. Germany addressed a note to France, to declare her intentions forthwith, and the AND PRICE OF PEACE 109 response being delayed, Germany, not wishing to lose her advantage of eternal vigilance, immediately declared war on France, followed by Austria-Hun- gary, and to protect her disadvantage of having enemies on both sides of her border, started on the road to Paris in the west and St. Petersburg in the east. "Now, the quickest way to invade France was through the buffer state of Belgium, which was created by the fear of England and France in 1832, after dismembering Holland. In 1870, before the late Franco-Prussian war, a treaty of neutrality was signed by England, France and Prussia, which pre- cluded any invasion of Belgium. Why England was included in this treaty is easily apparent: Fear of Prussia reaching her beloved channel and looking across to watch her coming ins and going outs. "However, knowing that the neutrality of Bel- gium would be violated by France, Germany made overtures to Belgium, promising indemnity for all losses to her through reason of invasion, but Bel- gium was flatly forbidden by England to counten- ance such an act. "England, who always allowed other nations' to quarrel, and when they were at the end of their resources, step in and claim the fruits of their vic- tory, was now frightened for herself. She saw a menace to her territory, and understanding what it 110 PEACE CONFERENCE meant to her sea supremacy if Germany reached the coast, joined with France and Russia in a war against Germany and Austria-Hungary, by which her statesmen imagined they could avert the dan- ger threatening her isolated and exposed coast line. "Thus you may easily see that all Europe was involved in a quarrel which really was of no in- terest to anyone but Austria-Hungary and Servia, which could have been settled by the simple deliv- ery of the murderers to Austria-Hungary, or noth- ing worse than the annihilation of Servian sover- eignty, which started with the murder of Alexander and Draga and would have ended with the murder of the Austrian heir and his princess. "Italy, although allied to Germany and Austria- Hungary, refused to stand by her treaty, for diplo- matic reasons known only to Germany and Austria- Hungary, and issued a proclamation of armed neu- trality, to be prepared to resist any invasion of her territory by any belligerents. By this course Italy evaded the horrors of war and perhaps the loss of territory, which showed the wisdom of her council- lors and German diplomacy, for in the end she will benefit by territorial accession, if she remains true to her compact. "Russian activity and her old ambition to possess Constantinople brought Turkey into the conflict, and as self-preservation is the first law of nature, Mo- AND PRICE OF PEACE 111 hammedan or Christian, the western world need not be horrified at Turkey proclaiming a holy war throughout her provinces against her inveterate enemies. From the earliest part of the nineteenth century Turkey has been humorously called the 'Sick Man of Europe,' or 'the unspeakable Turk/ owing to his knowledge that his strategical geo- graphical position was the envy of his neighbors, who in their jealousies of each other, constantly feared one might be more favored than the other, which kept these nations in dancing attendance on the Sultan, like so many nurses, and also forbade him to speak of his preferences. But Turkey, at last seeing her enemies pitted against their equals and knowing the time had arrived for her to throw off the yoke of humility, decided to strike back at her supposed friends, and attempt to regain by her own efforts all that had been taken from her, through one pretext or another. "The entry of Turkey into this conflict brought on another Balkan quarrel. All these petty states, once a part of the Turkish Empire, looked for, was conquest from each other. "Roumania, whose king was murdered by poison in the very beginning, although never publicly ad- mitted, because he was a Hohenzollern and would naturally support Germany, was, under the new regime, at last egged on by Russian promises to 112 PEACE CONFERENCE give her a portion of Austrian Transylvania in re- turn for her support. Believing in the greatness of Russian promises, and power to support these prom- ises, she consented to enter the conflict, with the result that her sovereignty has ceased to exist. "Bulgaria, although practically Turkish, not sat- isfied by her recent annexation of Turkish Roumelia, threw her lot in with Russia and suffered the same fate as Roumania. "It is understood that Servia, the cause of the quarrel, has long ceased to exist, after putting up a stubborn resistance to maintain her political ex- istence as a nation. "Touching upon Montenegro, this petty princi- pality should never have been allowed to exist as a nation. But as all the Balkan states were surrep- titiously taken from Turkey as buffer states under one pretext or another, so this little principality was allowed by sufferance to exist. Her determi- nation to subjugate Europe was' a fatal error, as this quarrelsome little nation is now for all time settled by her subjugation, regardless of Italian pro- tests. "The main facts now being covered, and our posi- tion made clear, I will no longer bear on this sub- ject. Suffice to say, that in retaliation for all the combined maledictions heaped upon us by our ene- mies' and for the enormous losses we incurred in AND PRICE OF PEACE 113 lives, ships and treasure, our gracious Kaiser and our allies have arranged to be as lenient as pos- sible, inasmuch as it is not our desire to further humiliate our late adversaries. We have deter- mined that peace without honor shall not sway us in our demands and that the United Empire of Ger- many shall constitute herself guardian in the future, to assure the Eastern Hemisphere of lasting peace from misunderstandings emanating among sover- eign rulers, but shall in no way lend itself to civil strife among her own states or dependencies of other monarchies. ''The underlying principle of the United Empire of Germany shall be that monarchies shall always exist in the Eastern Hemisphere to the exclusion of all other political forms. Also that the brother- hood of man shall be possible, through suffrage, under a broader constitution, giving all the liber- ties to the people of Europe capable of understand- ing their desires, and enfranchisement with all land- ed holdings, no matter if holdings are only large enough to encompass their homes of one hundred meters square. "This dissertation of our position, preliminary to voicing our demands, may serve to make the public more familiar with the cause for this conference, and attempt to justify our course in the titanic con- flict which has now ceased. Returning directly to 114 PEACE CONFERENCE the matter in hand of our demands from Russia, France and England, I will outline in a concise way the main points embodying the territorial con- cessions, without touching upon the question of indemnity. "I turn to Russia first, and I may say, most len- iently, considering that she was the actual cause of Germany having to defend herself from aggres- sion in this quarrel, which gave her enemies on both sides, and threatened her national existence. I may state here now, without reserve, that Russian aggression caused us more uneasiness than the com- bined armies of England, France and Belgium, in- cluding all their colonies, for the reason that they (Russia) never knew what a crushing defeat meant to them, but immediately filled up their enormous losses' with new armies, and, considering the stub- born resistance and enormous losses we incurred, that we are dealing very gently with her, while we have it within our power to retain vastly more than it is our aim to ask for. It is our demand that you cede to the United Empire of Germany all the con- quered territory comprising all of the late kingdom of Poland, with all the national treasures taken from her at the period of dismemberment, and re- lease from custody all captives' of Polish extraction now held by you for any political cause, as it is our intention to re-establish the kingdom of Poland, AND PRICE OF PEACE 115 with a purely Polish ruler, just as it existed pre- viously, and that this kingdom shall become an in- dependent state, but part and parcel of the United Empire of Germany, with the same rights and privi- leges as accrue to all the other component parts of the empire. In addition to this we want ceded to the kingdom of Poland the provinces of Grodno and Vilna, to be forever incorporated into that kingdom. We also demand that Russia cede to the Kingdom of Prussia as a crown land the Baltic provinces of Courland and Kovno and the island of Oesel in the Gulf of Riga, and that the capital city of Russia shall be Moscow. We also desire that the Duchy of Finland and Lapland be given her liberty, and established as a separate kingdom of Europe, free from Russian domination, with a Prince of her own choice, and that all of the prov- inces of Trans Caucassia, or all lands lying south of the Caucasus Mountains, shall be returned to Turkey, including the coast city of Baku. These territorial concessions cover our demands from Russia, and in view of Germany's right to be more severe, are as lenient as is permissible. We make, as a suggestion only, that Russia divorce church from state for her own future welfare, and give to her people a liberal education and plenty of liberty. By this course your government will earn the grati- tude and respect of her citizens, and all internal 116 PEACE CONFERENCE dissensions and anarchy will forever disappear, giv- ing to your rulers the same freedom of action as is universal throughout all enlightened countries. The indemnity to be imposed we will be generous enough to leave to arbitration, to be held in Switzer- land after this conference is ended, this Swiss con- ference to consist of such representatives of neutral countries as Russia may select. "In proportion to the amount of energy expended by Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey, in de- fending their borders from Russian invasion, so shall the indemnity award be distributed. Our per- centages will equalize under a distribution of 45 percent to Germany, 40 percent to Austria-Hun- gary and 15 percent to Turkey, whose only effort against Russia was from the sea. "The enlightened people of France, embittered by the treatment they received during the conflict by their government, in the suppression of all news relating to the enormous losses', and having lost con- fidence in the constitutional form of the republic, as carried out by the military, without taking the people, their peers, into their confidence, revolted against the republican form of government, and by general election voted to restore the government again to a monarchy, selecting a young Bourbon Prince to ascend the throne of his ancestors, amid general rejoicing. AND PRICE OF PEACE 117 "We now turn to France with compassion, and while the small territorial concessions demanded are out of all conformity with the monstrous losses received by Germany, to protect our borders in the future, make demands of the following conquered territory: The department of Haute Saone, Haut- Rhin, the department of Vosges and the department of Meurthe et Moselle, all on our western border of Alsace Lorraine, and the departments of Ar- dennes and Nord, bordering on the conquered crown land, formerly known as the Kingdom of Belgium, as well as a small strip of coast land in Pas de Calais extending ten miles beyond the port of Calais and ten miles south from the coast, including the port of Calais (and Dunkirk). It is with deep feeling that Germany is obliged to make these de- mands, which she believes is the only reasonable mode of lasting peace with France. Just as Aus- tria-Hungary cedes to Italy the province of Trent, so we demand that France cede to Italy the prov- ince of Savoy, lost to Italy in 1859. That the key- note of European diplomacy may be confined to the Eastern Hemisphere, we demand that all French islands bordering on the Western Hemisphere south of the present Canadian boundary be ceded to the nearest adjacent stable government, allowing France to receive such monetary recompense as is agreed upon between them, and that any French contin- 118 PEACE CONFERENCE ental possessions in North and South America be disposed of in the same manner to the nearest stable government. "In the matter of indemnity from France, Ger- many will be governed by the arbitration of same at the same sitting as will be convened by Russia, for the same purpose, along the same mode of pro- cedure, the French indemnity to be divided on the same basis of energy spent to repel invasion of her borders. The percentages will equalize to Ger- many 50 percent, to Austria-Hungary 30 percent, and to Turkey 20 percent, due to her defense of the Dardanelles. All French colonial possessions in the Eastern Hemisphere are to remain intact. "It will not come amiss to here state to our late adversaries, and to the world at large, that all that portion of territory so unjustly apportioned to Bul- garia, Servia and Greece by the powers in the late Balkan squabble, and the principality of Albania, has been restored to our ally, Turkey, and that to the Kingdom of Hungary is ceded the original Kingdoms of Servia, Bulgaria and Montenegro, while to Austria is ceded the original Kingdom of Roumania, and that Turkey ceded to Greece the island of Candia in recompense for her restoration of the annexed Turkish provinces of Salonika and Janina. AND PRICE OF PEACE 119 "Every government the world over exercises its laws and edicts on her own people, and if an alien people come to settle in another government, be the attraction what it may, that government's laws and edicts are as binding on the alien as upon her own people, and failure of the alien to observe the laws of the country where he has taken up his habi- tation are no cause for complaint from that alien. Either observe the laws or stay at home. No gov- ernment wants mischief-breeders within her terri- tory. If their religious belief differs from the alien, that is no reason why the alien should condemn it, or attempt to proselyte among them, or call upon their home country for interference, if treated sum- marily for creating dissention among the people of his adoption. "We now come to the concessions demanded of England, whose jealousies fomented the hostilities lately decided in favor of Germany's arms and valor. From all our late adversaries we have demanded slight concessions for our future protection, and as a partial recompense for our vast outlay of treas- ure, for our fight was with natural foes seeking territorial aggrandizement on our borders. But from England we will demand absolutely nothing for ourselves, as we are not looking forward to ter- ritorial gains. Our demands will be of a different nature, and such a one that will benefit all the na- 120 PEACE CONFERENCE tions of the world. We will show that the cause of humanity has swayed all our attempts to achieve our victories and that sordid thoughts never did tempt us in our battles. Our first and last thoughts were always on the side of the weak and oppressed, to give them relief from their dictators. We have come to the conclusion that the demands' we shall make ; will be the only way to avoid a future con- flict arising from the outgrowth of maritime com- mercial activity, and that to insure a lasting peace and equal sea rights to the world at large, the fol- lowing territorial changes of ownership are of im- perative necessity. "All island possessions bordering on and adja- cent to the United States of America, as the Ba- hamas and Bermudas, shall be ceded to the United States, allowing England the right to remove all her personal property, excepting fortifications and all things appertaining thereto. Jamaica shall be ceded to the United States under the same condi- tions. All other British islands in the Caribbean Sea, adjacent to Cuba, shall be ceded to Cuba, un- der the same conditions. All British islands ad- joining or adjacent to Porto Rico, including the Leeward Islands, shall be ceded to Porto Rico, for the United States. All other British islands in the Lesser Antilles shall be ceded to Venezuela, under the same conditions as before mentioned. All other AND PRICE OF PEACE 121 British islands contiguous to South America, on the eastern or western seaboard, shall be ceded to the country contiguous thereto. To make these de- mands more plain and concise, we demand that every British island in the Western Hemisphere south of the 49th parallel, north latitude, following the present Canadian boundary westward, and 135th parallel, west longitude, shall cease to be a British possession, as they are a menace to Western Hem- isphere political conditions, and a source of opulent power and defense against all European nations, as was shown more than once in the late conflict. While we do not demand the withdrawal of Eng- land from British Honduras and British Guiana, absolutely without recompense, we strongly recom- mend their immediate sale to the adjoining Amer- ican state. The Dominion of Canada and her islands are immune. In the Eastern Hemisphere we de- mand that the fortress of Gibraltar shall be dis- mantled, leaving free entrance and exit to and from the Mediterranean Sea for the shipping of the whole world. We cannot emphasize too strongly that the high seas shall not be dominated by any nation in the future, to the exclusion of ingress and egress to nations bordering on such seas. Cypress shall be returned to Turkey. Egypt shall be restored to Turkey, and English troops returned to British soil. The Transvaal and Orange Free State shall be re- 122 PEACE CONFERENCE turned to the Boers, from whom it was unmerci- fully robbed, on account of the ambitions of two or three British subjects, allowing them to form their own government, without British assistance. Eng- land shall re-cede Zanzibar, off the coast of Ger- man East Africa, and evacuate Wallfish Bay, on the coast of German Southwest Africa. The British channel islands shall be ceded to France. "This constitutes all our territorial demands from England, which shall be accompanied with the addition of a money indemnity of four hundred mil- lion pounds sterling, and that German troops occupy London and Liverpool until the final settlement of this indemnity. This direct indemnity from Eng- land shall be divided so that Germany receives 50 percent, Austria-Hungary 25 percent, and Turkey 25 percent. We make no mention of Australia or her adjacent islands, nor of India, nor any other British possessions in the Orient, for the reason that these possessions do not tend to jeopardize the peace of Continental Europe. "Germany also wishes to announce to the world, that directly after peace is signed, the German Em- pire will in the future be known as the United Empire of Germany, comprising the Kingdom of Prussia, as it existed previously, with the addition of provinces ceded by Russia, of Courland and Kovno and Oesel; the Kingdoms of Bavaria, Wiir- AND PRICE OF PEACE 123 temburg, Saxony and Poland, with the Provinces of Grodno and Kovno, and the Kingdom of Hun- gary, with her annexed possessions of Servia, Bul- garia and Montenegro, and the Kingdom of Austria, with her conquest of Roumania, the Grand Duchies of Baden, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Hesse-Oldenburg, Saxe-Weimar and Mecklenburg-Strelitz ; the Duch- ies of Brunswick, Saxe-Meningen, Anhalt, Saxe- Coburg-Gotha, Saxe-Altenburg; the Principalities of Waldeck, Lippe, Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Schwarz- burg, Sonderhausen, Reuss Younger Line, Schaum- berg-Lippe, Reuss Elder Line; the Free Cities of Hamburg, Liibeck and Bremen, and Calais, with her strip of ten miles west and south ; the Crown Lands of Belgium, Alsace-Lorraine, Haute Saone, Vosges and Meurthe et Mosselle and Haut-Rhin. "These, your excellency, and you, my lords', con- stitute all the remarks we have to state, and the summary of which will prove to you the justness of our defense, in the quarrel that was foisted upon us. We will now rest from our labors and give you every advantage to comply with our demand within the specified terms of this truce, which shall be for a period of thirty calendar days." Dr. Theobald von Bethmann-Holhoeg, German Chancellor. PART SEVEN PART VII HE peace conference at Washington, after a sitting of twenty-one days, fin- ally concluded their labors. Russia had consented to all the demands and was prepared to sign for her govern- ment, when the German Chancellor suggested that the Kaiser would look with favor upon withdrawing his demands' concerning Finland and Lapland, in return for a treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, with the United Empire of Germany, for a period of fifty years, and refrain from entering into such an alliance with any other European nation, and that Germany would inter- cede with Turkey to give Russia the freedom of the Dardanelles to all her merchant marine and vessels of war in time of necessity. The great importance of this latter suggestion to Russia, coming so unexpectedly from the German Chancellor, was immediately assented to, without 126 FORBEARANCE even consulting the home government, when the Chancellor slyly added: "It is not my intention to take away the sovereignty of Finland and Lapland, after promising them freedom, but as there is a vast difference between giving on demand, and of- fering with a free, open hand, your gain is twofold. The love and respect of the people you have so generously 'set up' in their independence, as well as securing a treaty of alliance, which I have no doubt they would be willing to enter into, which would give them vast prestige, as well as a powerful pro- tector." Russia readily consented, and by this stroke of diplomacy Germany assured Europe that as far as these two great nations were concerned, peace would prevail for fifty years, and by this treaty precluded any chance of her having to guard her eastern bor- ders for a long time. Russia also saw that this treaty did not prevent her moving eastward, if such were her desires, and realized that she had a power- ful ally in her rear, should occasion arise which would cause her to guard her western border. More important than all, she had gained her life-long ambition for easy passage through the Dardanelles, not by war, nor by conquest, nor by the aid of the great Powers, but by the free gift of German gen- erosity. FORBEARANCE 127 With France, the conference was vastly different. She fought every demand with vehemence, realiz- ing her great sacrifice if she yielded readily with- out a struggle. The Province of Nord, with its numerous large cities, while embracing less than twenty-five hundred square miles, was her most populous department, after Paris, and her almost only source of coal supply. The loss of this prov- ince would be a national calamity. Nor was this all. The loss of Calais, which had been wrested from England in 1558 and held tenaciously until now, was a deep blow to her pride. With Dunkirk and Calais gone as ports of entry it would neces- sitate coming to Dieppe and Havre as next ports of importance, further west on the channel coast. The misfortune of France was that all her precious minerals were on her border. Practically all her iron deposits were located in Meurthe et Moselle, and without iron and coal, even for domestic use, without mentioning her commercial industries, France's economic condition would be deplorable, if not disastrous. The German Chancellor appeared inflexible and apparently would not recede one iota in his demands. All appeals to German mercy were unavailing, and France was forced to admit, that in her haste to assist her friend and ally, she did not reckon nor count the cost. Her position appeared unassailable, 128 FORBEARANCE and with the assistance of her powerful allies, de- feat was not one of those conditions to contend with. Her pride was humbled, and France consented to all demands, glad that they had not been greater. Upon France's willingness to sign away her most precious possessions, the German Chancellor turned to address the President and the assembly: "Your Excellency, and you, most noble France, it was with deep concern that we demanded the choicest pearls of the French realm, not so much for the value of these departments, but principally to safeguard our borders in the future. It was only with this idea fixed in our minds that we are obliged to be so severe, and with no thought of humiliating your king and your people. Since the internal af- fairs of France are once more to our liking, we are prepared to show our love for France, and assure her, by deeds, that Germany will not be a stumbling block to her rejuvenation. Our desires are that France will once more take her proper place among the great nations of the earth, and with this end in view, our gracious Emperor has charged me to remit all our demands, as set forth in the beginning, except that small strip of coast land running ten miles west and south of Calais, and embracing Dun- kirk, adjoining our conquest of Belgium, and that to insure peace and harmony on the continent for fifty years', that France join with us in an alliance FORBEARANCE 129 of mutual protection for that period, and give us her hand of good fellowship, and live without malice in her heart toward us. "We feel sure your gracious King will accede to this simple request, which will be a lasting guar- antee of friendship and good will between your peo- ple and ours. This desire for France's good will and friendship on our part, is the result of your present form of government, which has pleased the German people, and as your monarch is young, will, with the aid of his councillors, evade the pitfalls of recklessness and extravagance, the cause of his ancestors' downfall, and build around him a wall of nobles whose only desire will be the welfare of the kingdom, and banish all these effeminate parasites, who usually infest every court, from his presence. By our course in dealing with you, we wish to justify our conduct before the world, and remove any stain that may remain on our escutcheon, in the minds of your people." France immediately received the consent of the King and Chamber to sign the treaty, and the joy of the people knew no bounds. While the conference had decided the questions between Russia and France satisfactorily to Ger- many, the same progress was not taking place with the British issues involved, for several reasons. 130 FORBEARANCE It could be plainly seen that, while Russia ceded some territory to Germany and Turkey, and set up the Kingdom of Finland; and France ceded a small strip of land to Italy, and all her small islands in the Western Hemisphere to the United States, or adjacent nations, that Germany asked for and re- ceived no consequential benefits from France, ex- cepting Dunkirk and Calais, for herself. But with England it was different. Germany did not want any British possessions ceded to her, nor did she ask any. England realized this, and much to her chagrin, for terms of settlement would then have been much easier. The hour of British sea supremacy was lost for- ever, in the loss of the hundreds of islands en- circling the Western Hemisphere. The dominant positions commanding the Mediterranean Sea were the very essence of her sea strength. Her domi- neering disposition to dictate to all nations, in their internal affairs, if same ran counter to British in- terests, would be a thing of the past. England would lose her prestige for power with other nations, and veiled threats in the future would avail her noth- ing. Never more would other nations beg for an alliance with England, on the strength of her prowess, and she saw that in the future she would be isolated, and must depend upon herself to fight her battles. She realized that she must now exert FORBEARANCE 131 every energy she possessed to retain what colonial possessions she had overseas, for with the loss of that mighty prestige with which she ruled with an iron hand would come discontent in her distant pos- sessions, and with discontent comes revolution. This late disturbance had plainly shown England that her mighty navy would be useless to an invading army, in far distant struggles, and that her de- pendencies would quickly loosen the shackles of misrule and non-representation, which had always been denied them. It was not too late for England to set about to find means of allaying any discon- tent among her colonies, in which, if she failed, would soon see the fall of the British Empire. Meanwhile the period of truce was fast expiring for England. She saw the magnificent manner in which Germany had settled with France and Russia, and the treaties of alliance, offensive and defensive, with both these powers, to her exclusion, and rea- lized that it was the first time in British history that such proceedings had been allowed consumma- tion without being challenged, and that she was no further ahead in her negotiations toward peace than the day the conference opened. England never fully realized until now, what an antagonist she had raised up against herself. That her first war with Germany would spell her downfall was inconceiv- able. Why had she fallen away from a friendship 183 FORBEARANCE that had always been true to her? Why had she allowed her jealous passions to rise against her strongest neighbor and fatherland? Why, Oh why, had not her statesmen realized that every cloud has a silver lining, and that the day would surely come when she could not always maintain her dominant position among the nations of the earth ? Conscience answered these questions very quickly: Her in- satiable greed for power. Her unwillingness that any other nation should share with her that power. Her lust for wealth, her weakness for homage from all the world, and her overweening vanity. Ambitions such as these, caused the downfall of Alexander, and the end of Roman power. With our enlightened civilization comes education, and with education comes strength. Nations tributary to great powers, that differ in racial habits and re- ligion, as well as geographical positions, will no longer submit to be ruled by a race diametrically opposed to their own ideals. All these things England saw with a conscience, that was a terrible accuser, and brought up before her eyes the many unmerciful cruelties she had in- flicted on weaker struggling communities. Live and let live found no tolerance with her policy of ag- grandizement, and her superficial social structure of pre-eminence and superiority. Everything must be dominant to her will, and all that had refused com- FORBEARANCE 133 pliance were crushed or unmercifully blotted out. England found out, too late, that her entry into this quarrel was really of no material consequence to her. If, from her standpoint, other nations were wrong, then other nations were equally wrong in times past. The very foundation of the glory of France and that of British supremacy were laid upon the same ideas, theories, and principles that had actuated Germany in her desires to perpetuate her own empire and destiny. There was nothing left for her but to consent to Germany's demands, and humiliate herself before all the world. She immediately set about to pro- tect her largest colonial possessions, for should any dissatisfaction arise in India, Australia, Canada or Cape Colony, she knew that eventually England would be only a name, not to conjure with, but to show the coming generation, that even in this late day of colossal power, wealth and intellectuality, that such things as uncontrolled power may be rele- gated to the rear, as easily as in times past, when might, ignorance and superstition ruled the world. She thought of all the inconsistencies of former wars, how she had labored with might and main to prevent Russia from reaching the Mediterranean, and how, from her power as arbiter of European peace she had forced many unjust settlements on other nations. Her thoughts return to the Crimea, 134 FORBEARANCE when the "noble six hundred" were slaughtered. Imagine their consternation if they could look upon the spectacle of England assisting Russia to gain her desires at this date, when they were snuffed out, combating these very desires. Again, at im- mortal Waterloo, the British, with the assistance of the German army fought nobly to prevent France from entering Belgium. This was now reversed. She expended every energy she possessed that France might enter Belgium to drive back the Ger- mans. Wonderful indeed is the elasticity of the human mind, in finding a suitable reason to define laws, so that they will meet with their own justi- fication. She made one more attempt to move the German Chancellor to mercy, at which the Chancellor arose and addressed the President and conference: "Your Excellency, and you, my lords of England, it has, no doubt, by this time, become apparent to you that in the struggle just passed, in which you had absolutely no grievance, you have miserably lost, and therefore have no one but yourself to blame for your present predicament. It can also be readily seen that, contrary to general expecta- tions, we have done exactly the opposite to that which was predicted. While it was conceded we had the right to demand vast territorial possessions from England, we have refrained from asking the FORBEARANCE 135 annexation of only a small piece of ground, not large enough to speak about. I mean the Island of Zanzibar, directly off our East African posses- sion. Our reason for taking this unprecedented course, following our victory, and which is unpa- ralleled in history, has only one answer. As long as England followed her ambition to conquer any struggling nation, without thought that some day these tactics would be questioned by disinterested powers, and right prevail over might, she should now realize that her day of conquest is past and that a righteous God would not forever look with favor upon this continual mode of aggression and cruelty, but would raise up a powerful protector for the weak and lowly to champion their cause, with- out compensation, as we have this time done. "From the very outset of hostilities we knew that our bitterest enemy was England. Russia had no other desires than to prevent the absorption of Ser- via by Austria-Hungary, for the one and only rea- son, that if Servia was to lose her nationality it should be to Russia instead of any other nation, on account of racial and religious equality. Russia saw her error too late to save herself and will hardly attempt in the future to shoulder another quarrel, having so small a reward to tempt her. France was a natural foe, for she fought for her- self and not for the mere sake of taking up some 136 FORBEARANCE one else's troubles. For this very reason, and the fact that she has resumed her ancient form of gov- ernment, we have been over-lenient with her, in demanding no accession of territory and assuring her, as well as ourselves, of lasting peace and friendship. But relative to our course with Eng- land, we have only one desire, not for ourselves alone, but for the benefit of the whole zvorld. We may possibly be the losers, from a commercial and financial standpoint, but this loss is more than com- pensated for, in our estimation, by the freedom which all nations will have on the high seas, with- out hindrance in the future. "Besides we are not a mercenary nation. Gold is not our god. That the seas shall be forever free and governed only by the laws of humanity, right and justice, without contravening existing interna- tional laws, for moral conduct, will be our self- imposed task. As can be seen by our demands, it is our desire that every bit of land, contiguous to or adjoining the American continent, except as provided by the present Canadian border, now gov- erned by European nations, shall be governed by American nations, for the one and only reason that the Americas are committed to the republican form of government, while all the nations of the Eastern Hemisphere are diametrically the reverse. FORBEARANCE 137 "The British government has, through usurpation or conquest, taken to herself every important stra- tegical position on the high seas, holding the key to the Isthmus of Panama and by force, coupled with veiled threats, dominating legislation relative to traffic through the channel, built by a foreign nation, at an enormous outlay of capital, in just the same manner as if emanating from her home government. "In the same way she controls the Suez Canal, built by the French, with the consent of Turkey and Egypt, to the utter disregard of these or any other nations. Bab el Mandeb, at the southern ex- tremity of the Red Sea, is also in control of Eng- land, shutting off access to the shorter route at both ends. A trifle over two hundred years ago England treacherously took possession of Gibraltar as a crown land, on account of its being the key to the Mediterranean. "All these extremely valuable strategic points, held by one power, are a constant menace to the peace of all nations. Outside of our demand to dismantle Gibraltar, we see no reason why an equal- ization of maritime power and freedom of the seas will not now be the right of every nation, large or small, powerful or weak. "Should there at any time in the future be trouble among the nations bordering on the Mediterranean 138 FORBEARANCE Sea, it will not mean the closing of this highway to commerce of the outside or neutral nations, except- ing through an effective blockade of the enemy's coast. As nearly all of the European nations are dependent upon the English Channel, namely, Eng- land, France, Germany, Russia, Holland, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, for their maritime commerce, it shall never again be possible that one nation will be able to put a lock and key on this door, and defy the nations on the other side of this entrance, with a possible chance of causing untold suffering, by denying food to the hundreds of mil- lions of people thus practically locked out. "This will be our greatest triumph, and a fitting recompense to our posterity, as well as a soothing balm to all those living who suffered torture to accomplish this vast blessing. Every possible ef- fort to belittle our nation, every desire to instil poison in the minds of neutral nations by false re- ports, every passion aroused against us because of our constant victories, every cruelty exercised against our soldiers and citizens in captivity, shall be bitterly atoned for by the British nation. "The bringing together of vast numbers of mer- cenaries of all nations', savages, Mongols, Ethiopi- ans, Indians and South Sea Islanders to fight her battles, while she sits supinely by (enjoying yacht- ing regattas and polo matches), directing the dis- FORBEARANCE 139 position of these troops along the battle front and hurling these misguided people to certain destruc- tion, has not endeared her to her subjects, nor should it be any reason why we should be lenient, seeing that all rules of warfare have been travailed by her. "Had victory perched on British banners, Ger- many would be undone, and unmercifully crushed Our maritime commerce would only be by suffer- ance of England, for nothing would be allowed us in our defeat. "We are in a position to demand anything, but we respect justice, honor and the right of the mul- titude. Our disposition is just contrary to British arrogance. There shall never be absolute peace in Europe until the chief mischief-maker is completely subdued. We want peace and safety for ourselves, in order to be able to guarantee it to others. We have nothing to apologize for; we threaten no one. Overbearing is not our attitude. We know we are intellectually and morally superior as a nation, and those that cannot, or will not, attain these attri- butes are afraid of us, and in that fear, think us dangerous. Just because we have dared to grow and keep apace with modern conditions, building for ourselves a navy to conform with our position as a nation, British statesmen soon became very 140 FORBEARANCE suspicious of our efforts, and determined that we must be squelched at any cost. "All these jealousies are due to overseas posses- sions, and I trust your Excellency will not feel offended if I state that independent America should view with alarm her distant insular possessions. Just as we have demanded that British sovereignty cease on the American Continent, with the excep- tion of Canada, for the present, in view of the noble principle involved in your Monroe Doctrine, I may say that I feel trouble brewing for your honorable government concerning your possessions in the Philippine Islands, and elsewhere in the Orient. By disposing of these possessions, which are of no special benefit to you and a constant source of worry and expense, to Japan, who is only about five hundred miles distant, while you are over ten thousand miles away, you will make a fast and lasting friend of her, and prove your superior dip- lomacy. The time is not far distant when Japan will come into her own and dominate the entire Orient, especially all the peoples of her cast. From our viewpoint, Japan will become the arbiter of peace in Asia, just as we intend to be the peace- maker in Europe. "America is for the Americans, vast enough and rich enough to support thousands of millions of people in comfort. Europe and Africa for the white FORBEARANCE 141 race, and Asia for the Orientals. This method will insure a world's peace and wars will fade away as a useless adjunct. "You will not dispute that in this quarrel were massed together greater armies than ever before recorded, while the slaughter was not one-tenth as great as some previous wars, particularly the re- ligious wars of the sixteenth century. When Ant- werp fell to the Duke of Alva, for Spain, over one hundred thousand innocent people were beheaded in the Netherlands, of which Belgium was then a part. Antwerp suffered the loss of eight to ten thousand and Maestricht lost over thirty thousand, for no other reason than that they worshipped their God in their own tongue, rather than in a tongue un- known to them. We may indeed be thankful that church found no footing in this quarrel with the Christian nations. The spectacle of all religious sects, fighting side by side, will never again be witnessed. In fact, the next great war will be arrayed by the Orient against the Occident, brought on by western greed. Our sole desires were to defend our firesides, our liberties and our right to exist. Every energy we possessed was utilized, every resource at our dis- posal was developed to the highest point of effi- ciency, and every thought given for the welfare of the fatherland. We needed no outsiders to fight 142 FORBEARANCE our battles. Every German was loyal to his Kaiser and country. We had practically all of Europe at our throat, and not content with that, it behooved our enemies to call on the Orient. Battles are not won by might of numbers alone. The weak and oppressed, if their cause is just, can, with the aid of God, achieve a victory, as we have done. "England has learned her lesson. When you want things well done, do them yourselves. Mer- cenaries have no patriotism; they have nothing to lose. It was great sport to travel vast areas at some one else's expense and take a shot at the German. We were not supposed to be human, but some wild animals let loose on civilization, and their duty or sport was to gather us together for slaughter. But the joy of living was equally as strong with us. We were not willing to be cor- ralled for slaughter. Our enemies soon discovered that the advantage was with us. The defender is always more desperate than the oppressor. They were compelled to gradually retreat, until there was nothing left but surrender. "Had Russia been an enlightened country our task would not be completed. As' it is, we have insisted on our rights without antagonizing our late enemies by exorbitant demands, but have, on the contrary, by our leniency, honesty and integrity FORBEARANCE 143 of purpose gained their eternal friendship and co- operation. "Your Excellency, it was not my intention to consume so much time in a resume already gone over. The truce was for thirty days. Three-quar- ters of this time has already been spent, without a single concession from our arch-enemy. Our troops are, no doubt, leaving Russian and French soil, in perfect accord with our terms of peace. We are honest enough to believe that they will be as honest with us. We are anxious to take up our domestic duties where we left off, when called upon to de- fend our homes'. "We are asking for nothing from England for ourselves, and as our demands concern the world at large, I can see no reason for prolonging the inevitable. In all earnestness will say, that if no conclusion is reached at the expiration of this truce, we will have no other recourse but to resume hos- tilities. I fear very much that the demands later on will not be so gentle, therefore let prudence dominate your deliberations and decision. "I respect you, my lords of England, for the stand you have taken, but England today is not the Eng- land of former days. If it will be soothing to you, I will say that it is not our intention to overwhelm Europe, as has been generally predicted. We are a growing nation. Our thrift and intellect go hand 144 FORBEARANCE in hand together. The United Empire of Germany will confine her main attempts at rejuvenation with- in her borders and our overflow will be used to build upon our original African colonies. We are not looking for conquest. We want nothing in Asia, nor do we want any colonies in the Americas. But we do want, and insist on having, freedom of the seas, to carry on our commerce with all na- tions desirous of having the fruits of our labor and industry. We shall stop building a navy and in- sist that all other nations in the Eastern Hemis- phere do the same. We will not defeat honest competition, but welcome it, and I hope to see the day in the future that battleships will be a novelty. We are in earnest in our efforts to secure the peace of Europe, and that your nation shall prove a stumbling block would be deplorable. Accept with good grace the inevitable. Be thankful we did not demand your heart, lungs and stomach. By this metaphor, I mean, India, Australia and Canada. The time will come when you will realize that we are not an enemy, but a friend. You will now know how far you may go, and by this knowledge con- serve the vast interests you possess. "We have taken nothing from you but a few islands, scattered too far from your door, and given them to our mutual best friend, to whom they be- long by right of geographical location. With these FORBEARANCE 145 infinite possessions disposed of, you will be better able to devote your full energy to your important colonies. We have no desire to meddle in your in- ternal affairs. We realize, if you do not, that your colonial policy will have to be altered if you expect to retain the love and confidence of your subjects. Representation to India and less arrogance with her people. They constitute your greatest financial strength. They are human, have ambitions and de- sires, intelligence and wealth, and no voice in the affairs of their own country. How long do you think a nation, with five times your population, will endure this treatment without being heard? "It were far better for England, if she expected to remain a world power, to abandon her present home and move, bag and baggage, to Australia. Your present values of estates in cities and coun- try are fictitious, caused by the density of your pop- ulation. These same fictitious values could be cre- ated anywhere you took your interests and people. Australia is a continent, fertile enough to support hundreds of millions, and vast enough to satisfy her greatest ambitions, and colossal enough to become a mighty empire. Every natural resource needed in present day arts, manufacture and commerce, are known to exist there, which preclude the necessity, as now, of depending on the outside markets of the world. It is also, and by far the most impor- 146 FORBEARANCE tant, vastly nearer your Empire of India and other large island possessions, north and south. "Your great colony of Canada will be lost to you before the century is half passed. In comparison, your present crowded quarters are not to be con- sidered, as compared with Australia, India, Cape Colony and your large islands, adjacent, all around. Such a move would bring all your possessions in the Eastern Hemisphere into a group and centralize your government. By laying aside your national vanity and building for the future, your greatest ambitions will be realized. "On the other hand, by remaining in England, your first loss will be Ireland, down-trodden, op- pressed and always in revolt. Then Canada, three to six thousand miles away, and revolt in India, and finally your South African possessions. For the loss of one colony is only an incentive to others to seek the same freedom. Your ambition to retain world power will have dwindled to England and Australia. "Be wise, think it over. A vast navy, with an enormous outlay, would be a thing of the past. Do- mestic contentment would reign. The public bur- dens of the people would be lightened. There would be plenty of land for every one of your subjects, and your nobles could retain vast estates without FORBEARANCE 147 encroaching on the rights of the people. Is your national vanity worth the sacrifice? "You can then readily see that Germany is not an enemy, and has done you a vast amount of good, returning good for evil, and you are forever rid of those numerous petty quarrels that arise among the nations of Europe, clashing with your interests." Before the period of truce had expired, England signed the treaty of peace that would always re- main a monument to Germany's effort to produce a lasting peace, and the abolishing of armed con- flicts in the future. PART EIGHT VIII HILE peace was being signed in Washington, even more momentous events were transpiring in Europe, particularly in Berlin, the beautiful. The previous fall of Paris forty-four years ago, culminating in the forma- tion of the German Federation, and the acceptance of the Imperial Crown at Versailles by the first Wilhelm, were events that pale into insignificance, compared with the inspiring reception tendered to "Wilhelm the Conqueror" at the Royal Palace on the Spree, the city home of the Imperial family, as he was about to be crowned "Emperor of the United Kingdom of Germany, and defender of the rights of mankind." The Imperial Palace was ablaze with magnifi- cence. Enthusiasm, such as was only witnessed at the beginning of hostilities, prevailed. Everyone was in a delirium of excitement, which was a 150 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY healthy sign of contentment and pleasure. The throne room was gala with all the nobles, princes and kings of the empire, each dressed according to his rank, wearing all their orders. All were accom- panied by their ladies, the magnificence of whose gowns vied in splendor with their lords. Every- thing was in harmony with the greatness of the event about to take place, which was to honor him, whose sacrifices and devotion, ambition and ability, had made possible the successful termination of a mighty conflict, and brought together the unity of all German nations in Europe. The Imperial throne was located in the center of six other thrones, upon a slightly raised dias, and was the only one unoccupied. Their Majesties of Bavaria, Saxony and Wurtemburg, on one side, and Austria, Poland and Hungary on the other. The venerable Emperor of Austria was late in ar- riving, and all awaited his coming before the Kaiser was to be announced. After a slight delay his Ma- jesty of Austria appeared, feeble with age, but un- supported. All his brother kings advanced to greet their late ally, Francis Joseph, who showed remark- able activity in mounting the throne assigned to him, on the left of the Kaiser. His face was aglow with pleasure, the first time in many years, and his keen blue eyes alert to see all that transpired. All this noble assembly of royal heads, with their followers, UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 151 had gathered for the express purpose of renewing their allegiance and fealty to the Kaiser in his newly exalted position, and now anxiously awaited his presence. The massive doors leading to the throne room were soon opened, and His Imperial Majesty ap- peared, accompanied by his entire family, who were all arranged at the foot of the dias. But amaze- ment was depicted on all countenances. His Im- perial Majesty, who, for the past thirty years, had always worn the garb of the military, was now for the first time clothed in the sable garb of polite society, with only the Black Eagle and collar sus- pended from his neck. This act, more than any other, impressed his audience with the fact that peace was now assured in Europe for fifty years, and that it was not his intention to don a war-like garb under any circumstances for the rest of his natural life. To a nature like his Majesty's, the military was the very life of his nostrils, and the discard of the garb he loved so well was a positive indication that militarism in Germany had seen its day. As the Kaiser ascended the dias leading to his throne, the joy of the audience knew no bounds, and dignity was for the time forgotten. The mem- ory of the greeting he received that evening would be forever one of his cherished treasures. After 152 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY the wildness of this enthusiasm had subsided, the King of Bavaria arose and, facing the Kaiser, ad- dressed him thusly: "Our beloved sovereign, the Reichstag, represent- ing the people, in unison with all the princes of Germany and Austria-Hungary, as well as our re- established brother of Poland, humbly solicit your majesty's acceptance of the Imperial Crown of the United Empire of Germany, at our hands, for we feel the confidence which your leadership has brought us, to our present greatness, and in our unity, can find no one so competent and deserving of the greatest honor and mark of respect which we, your peers, have at our disposal, as yourself, knowing that under your guidance the German nation will enjoy an era of power, peace, well-being and lib- erty for all, under the protection of our wise and just laws." With this remark, all the six kings arose and advanced on all sides of the Kaiser, holding aloft the Crown, which they placed collectively on the head of Wilhelm II with these words: "The em- blem, represented by this crown, is the mark of reverence and respect, with which your majesty is held by all your nobles, peers and peoples, and voices our confidence in you, to administer wisely the will of the nation for the general good. Ac- cept, therefore, this token of our allegiance and UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 153 fealty to you, as representing the highest form of honor we can bestow." Then all returned to their thrones. His majesty's eyes were dim, overcome by this mark of love and affection, by which he was held by all his people, and with deep emotion arose to address the assembly: "My beloved, the great pleasure I feel in ad- dressing this noble congregation, the first of its kind in the history of nations, and the joy that is in my heart with the love of my people, is second only to our successful termination of hostilities, and the securing of a peace that will last through the third generation. I want to take this opportunity of publicly acknowledging my profound thanks for the unselfish support you and your gallant troops rendered the Fatherland in her greatest hour of peril. I still shudder at the thought of what we have undergone, for the defense of our homes, and of the untold suffering of my beloved people, who responded so nobly, and accomplished such wonder- ful results, under adverse conditions, with all of Europe against us. "Our brother of Austria may now rest his mind in peace, for from now on Europe will settle down to the humdrum of quiet and contentment, absorbed only in the peaceful arts of husbandry and com- merce. The great dream of my life is now at 154 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY hand in the fulfillment thereof. The unification of the Teutonic races will insure to us a lasting peace, and the rejuvenation of Europe. We are all of one race, one tongue and one desire. There will never be civil discord among us. The words of that immortal American who stated, "United we stand, divided we fall," now applies to us in all its' vigor, for in our harmonious unity we are in- vincible. "The empire created by Bismark, Germany's greatest benefactor, for our beloved grandsire, is for a second time augmented. Most wonderful of all is the re-establishment of the Kingdom of Po- land, with a ruler of their own selection, after a dismemberment of one hundred and twenty years. Wonderful, indeed, are the works of God. This miracle has been brought about by our conquest from Russia and the restoration of German and Austrian provinces, received at the time of dis- memberment. His Majesty of Poland will assist the Empire in restoring his kingdom to its ancient glory and prosperity. "Our ally in the late war, has given his consent, that while he holds the power over his dual king- dom, he will abdicate his sovereignty in Hungary, and allow the Hungarian Diet to select a king of their choice, which he has religiously done, and that Austria, with her conquest of Roumania, and UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 155 Hungary, with her conquests of Bulgaria, Servia and Montenegro, will join the federation of the United Empire of Germany, which has also been done. Our remaining Russian conquest of Cour- land and Kovno will be administered as a crown land of Prussia. Our conquest of Belgium, which cost us the flower of our brave troops, shall be governed as a kingdom in the United Empire of Germany, but governed in such a manner that will not be displeasing to our people, with a Governor- General, and a Governor for each of the nine states comprising the conquest, these ten governors to be selected, one from each of our independent king- doms and grand duchies. "But I have another plan in view concerning Belgium and her colonies which I desire to submit first to you for your consideration. The royal fam- ily of Belgium, through their resistance, were obliged to seek refuge in England, which country now refuses to aid them in such a manner as their birth and sacrifice entitles them. Had they not been influenced by our enemies to pursue the course which ultimately led to their downfall, it is my honest belief that they would have acceded to our request in the beginning, had they not stood in awe of the reputed prowess of England, which they, as everyone else, thought invulnerable, and that our chances for victory were not even a hazy possi- 166 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY bility, pitted as we were against all the great mili- tary nations of Europe. "By our policy, as shown in our attitude at the peace conference, which is not one of subjugation nor extermination, but has been tempered with mercy and justice, it is my desire that all of you, my beloved, lay aside all rancor from your hearts and let us heap coals of fire upon the heads of this royal family, and restore them to their people, and former station in life, by recalling them from their exile, to assume the duties of assisting their people and the appointed governors, in the rehabilitation of their country. By their presence and co-opera- tion, the fact that Belgium is a kingdom of the United Empire of Germany will do much to allay their fears, and to reassure the people of our good intentions, and that by their representation in the Bundesrat, as well as in the Reichstag, they will enjoy all the rights and privileges that accrue to all our independent states. "I cannot forget that their rulers are of our blood, a prince of Saxe-Weimar and a princess of Bavaria, and for that reason we should show them mercy. Let us not begin our reign over a united empire with any dissension or discontent among our peo- ple, but strive with might and main to keep our present harmony and good will toward each other, that this same good feeling may always prevail, and UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 157 show to the world at large that what has been possible in free and independent United States, un- der their system of Republican government, is just as feasible in Europe, with an empire that has been brought together by racial and religious similarity. "The unification of the Teutonic races, under one government, shall always be a mighty monument to our intelligence, for by this unification are forever removed the petty quarrels and jealousies which in times past have led to serious conflicts. We are now prepared to face every trial that may confront us, collectively, and, in turning to economic affairs are assured that, by our wise laws, the people and the country will speedily return to its wonted commer- cial and financial strength, which was so unjustly the cause of the late concerted action against us by our cousin of England. "The greatest benefit obtained by the peace com- mission, far and above all our conquests, which concerns the Empire only, is the knowledge that for all time, and for all countries, in peace or in turmoil, that the high seas, with its numerousi road- ways leading to every part of the civilized world, are at last absolutely free and unhampered. No more shall any one nation dictate the rights, that are as free as air, and in our modern civilization, as necessary. Before continuing, I ask this asseni- 158 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY bly of our peers to voice their opinion, on my sug- gestion concerning the royal family of Belgium." Here the Kaiser sat down and the Austrian Em- peror arose to address the audience. "Your gracious Majesty, and you, my brothers and friends, that I have lived almost four score years and ten to witness the consummation of Ger- manic destiny and the unification of our tongue throughout Europe, is the crowning glory of my sorrowful life. I can now peacefully lay down the burden which I have carried nearly a half century, and die in contentment, knowing that the welfare of the Austrian kingdom and the Hungarian king- dom will, in its singleness, become more prosperous and contented under 'the masterful leadership of him, around whom our future destiny is now en- twined. "When our brother rushed to our defense, and often saved the day for us, through his superior judgment, my prayer rose to heaven that if we emerged from this conflict with success, my first act should be the tender of my allegiance to the Kaiser, for Austria and for Hungary, that those that helped us fight our battles might benefit in the future by our becoming part and parcel of the Ger- man federation. This now being accomplished, and seeing the further restoration of Poland as a na- tion, and the Kaiser's desire to keep Belgium as a UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 159 kingdom, entirely meets with my approval. The misguided king of Belgium should not be blamed for the faults' of others, nor in my estimation, suf- fer extinction. His sufferings must have been in- tense when he saw that the serpent who beguiled him was not able to save him, much less herself, and saw with anguish his kingdom swept from be- fore his very eyes and his valiant people scattered and slaughtered. "I suggest that the Kaiser's desire regarding Bel- gium be carried out and that we offer him our hand in token of forgiveness and of our sincere regard for his future, and I, for one, shall praise his valor in the heroic stand he was compelled to take to safeguard his birthright." All the sovereign rulers, being greatly impressed with the novelty of the idea and the deep feelings of humanity and brotherly love which was due to this young misled king, besides the ties of blood which existed among nearly all his sponsors, caused them to give their consent, and, finding the Kaiser in a receptive mood, asked that he dispatch a spe- cial embassy to England to acquaint the young king and his family that he still lived in the good graces of the Fatherland, and was to again resume his sta- tion in life, under the protection of the United Empire of Germany. 160 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY This first act of mercy and justice on the part of the Kaiser was to act as a good omen for his future rule over his united empire and impress upon his people the fact that the Fatherland would al- ways stretch forth its hand to safeguard and pro- tect those belonging to it. Through the selfish van- ity of England, he had lost his kingdom, but through the magnanimity of Germany, whom he was taught to believe his enemy, all his rights were restored to him. This deed of love on the part of the Kaiser so endeared him to all the people of Belgium, that the new laws enacted for the welfare of the state were received with acclamation, and paved the way to a gradual acceptance of all things Teutonic. The Kaiser, much pleased with the success he had met, now arose to finish his remarks. "When it became apparent throughout Europe that the federation was going to be an accomplished fact, I was approached by His Majesty of Den- mark, as well as Her Majesty of Holland and the Grand Duke of Luxemburg, requesting the permis- sion of the Bundesrat to participate in the federa- tion, under the same rights as are granted the other states, and become a part of the United Empire of Germany. I have pledged my word to announce this information to you this evening, and having viewed the matter carefully, am inclined to give my consent, if such be your will. As this embraces UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 161 the remainder of the Teutonic races in Europe, their admission to participate in our unity, by your acceptance, will then complete our family, bringing under one government, one people, one language and one ideal, as well as giving us a vast coast line on the North Sea and Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas, giving to us easy access to all the world, for the product of our industry. "Now hear me with attention, for what I now have to say to you merits your profound considera- tion and approval. Circumstances have recently so adjusted themselves as to occasion the revolution of Germanic principles, which have up to now served its usefulness. I mean nothing more than the grad- ual relaxation of militarism throughout the empire, until it is reduced to less than half of its regular requirements, giving the people every chance to re- turn to their several duties, that we may recoup our time lost and its consequent financial losses to the state, and individual. It is also my wish that no more large vessels of war be constructed, and that every effort be made by the central govern- ment to lighten the tax burdens of our people. Should life be granted me for another ten years, I trust by that time to see all the Empire returned to its normal state, and the people enjoying the peace which is now doubly dear to us. 162 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY "Free schools with compulsory education for all children, in such parts of our Empire where they have never before existed, abolishment of all child labor forever, a minimum wage scale for common labor, recognition of skilled labor in the arts, com- plete separation of church from state, freedom to all religious sects throughout the Empire, liberty of the press, and enfranchisement for every land- holder, male or female. These are the more im- portant reforms I desire to promulgate, with the beginning of my reign over our Empire, and thereby retain the love and respect of our subjects. Every- thing that can possibly be done for the benefit of the people shall be my aim through life, and the government shall consider all its subjects as be- longing to its private family. Germans and all things German, shall be respected at home and abroad, and the people taught to understand that they represent the highest ideals of our modern civilization, culture and government. "I notice that the younger element are looking forward to the relaxation of the ball room, and as I have now said all that I had intended, will gladly acquiesce to their desires, and forget for the mo- ment the cares of state." With this the Kaiser descended the dias, accom- panied by his confreres, and led the way to the grand ballroom. His entrance was accompanied by UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 163 the familiar, inspiring strains of the national song, "Deutschland, Deutschland, uber Alles," in which all the assembly joined. While the festivities were at their height, the Kaiser returned to the throne room, to meditate upon the events that had transpired. The war had left its traces upon his strong, noble, handsome features, and the agony that was in his heart for the loss of so many near and dear to him, wrung a pang of anguish from his lips. His majesty in his youth had formed many lasting friendships, and deeply grieved at the loss of the many friends he would never more see, on whom to divide his affection and love. Never more would Germany need to engage in a struggle. Peace must prevail at all hazards beyond the fifty years that Russia and France had consented to. The unification of the Empire precluded any chance for any nation to seek a quarrel. Germany certainly would not look for one. The Empire was too powerful. The pop- ulation now exceeded one hundred and eighty mil- lions, but it would take fully the fifty years to for- get the horrors of this war. Strict attention to economic problems would be the only remedy. Every effort and energy must be directed to husbandry, commerce, manufactures and the arts. The natural resources of the country should become more fully developed. Appropria- 164 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY tions that formerly went to the naval program, could now be used for a special pension fund for all wounded cripples, caused by the late conflict. A pension fund for all widows with families must also be provided. Every hardship occasioned by cause of the war must be ameliorated. Patriotism, without governmental protection and recognition in case of disability, would be a very poor recompense. The government must do all in its power to retain the love and confidence of the people, who fought so nobly to protect it. Germany must always re- main the most enlightened country on earth. Edu- cation means power, contentment, success and hap- piness. Sciences should be cultivated freely and merit recognized. These and many other thoughts surged through his brain. Just so ardently as we defended our homes from invasion, causing devastation and de- struction all around us, just so ardently must we now strive to rehabilitate everything all over again. Our neglected industries and our almost ruined mer- chant marine must receive immediate attention. While all other nations were obliged to borrow vast amounts of money to defray their expenses, most of this money left their hands, while Germany bor- rowed vast sums at home, all of which was spent at home, and consequently remained in the Father- land. Monetary troubles, or panics, would not be UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 165 our portion. All the nation would have to do would be to start right ahead. His Majesty, weary over the multitudinous com- plex questions regarding economic conditions, re- traced his steps to the ball room. Here was pleas- ure and happiness, contentment and ease. How- ever, there was not one in this entire throng that had not suffered the loss of some member of their family. These sacrifices were given to the Father- land for the protection of those remaining at home and were so many honors to be proud of. Such courage among the weaker sex was surely going to have its own reward, and through this devotion to the Fatherland, the Kaiser saw the speedy healing of wounds occasioned by the loss of their loved ones. The far-seeing acuteness of vision with which his Majesty was endowed allowed him to see into the future, and showed him plainly that the greatest problem which the nation had to face, was the re- building of cities and villages destroyed in the path of the contending armies. Belgium, Poland, and Hungary were the cockpits of contention. German and Austrian soil had not been violated by the enemy, not because they made no attempt, but be- cause they found it impossible. Berlin was the cynosure for all her enemies, but while German troops occupied the capitols of all her enemies, Berlin escaped a like fate. 166 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY Only the larger cities and more important vil- lages should be rebuilt. This would necessitate the opening of many factories, for the increased pro- duction in manufacturing and building trades. Ev- ery lumber mill, every brickyard, and all other allied lines must unceasingly labor to produce the com- ponent parts required in building construction. There would be no idleness among the people. Everybody would be busy, and in that blessing, would find little opportunity to devote to grief. Special lines of industry and science, peculiar to Germany, and so necessary to neutral countries, must be pushed with greater vigor than before. The war had shown that many essentials made in Ger- many were absolutely necessary to other countries, that the shortage of supplies caused by lack of exportation well nigh caused the closing of many industries abroad. The country was independent of all other nations as far as cereals, fruits and foodstuffs were concerned, and the few luxuries of life, not native to the fatherland, could now at all times be brought into the Empire through command of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Of nat- ural resources the Empire was lavish. Coal, iron, copper, oil, salt and other necessities in the eco- nomic welfare of the country were abundant. With a laxity of militarism would come a decline in emi- gration, and in the retaining at home of all those UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 167 afflicted with the "wanderlust," would redound to the benefit of the Empire. Immigration of Poles from far-off countries would be fostered, that they might return to their country without fear. A general amnesty would be the gift of the Kaiser to all German citizens who had fled the country to avoid military service, for from now on, military service would only be from voluntary offerings. While his, majesty was alone in the throne room, reviewing in his mind all that was essential for the welfare of the Empire, and planning the rejuvena- tion of his enlarged kingdom, lost in deep thought and meditation, he was suddenly confronted by the United States Ambassador, who, in the name of his government, offered congratulations on the success- ful termination of the peace conference, and the President's personal felicitations on the happy event, which caused United Germany to offer the Imperial crown to his Majesty. At the same time he handed the Kaiser a sealed letter, in the personal hand of the President. The entrance of the United States Ambassador had caused quite a flurry of excitement, and the fact that he had some communication for the Kaiser brought all the tributary rulers from the ball room to the Kaiser's side. Ascending his throne, with Bavaria, Saxony and Wurtemburg, Austria, Poland 168 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY and Hungary in their respective places, the Em- peror opened the message and read its contents to his few auditors: "To His Imperial Majesty, Wilhelm Second of the United Empire of Germany, Greetings. Where- as, it has pleased the Almighty God to shower His love upon your head, and place in your hands the welfare and destiny of an Empire, whose multitudes are as the stars in Heaven, and numbering upward of two hundred million souls, and given you the undivided love of your subjects, and the respect of all other nations, it is my desire to transmit to you and yours, the profound admiration in which the government of the United States, and its President, holds your Imperial Majesty, and to thank you for the unselfish nature in which you did this govern- ment an initial service, the vast importance of which cannot be measured from a monetary standpoint, and shows us with greater force than ever, that Germany has always been the steadfast friend of the United States from its earliest inception. "During the period of the Peace Conference, while I had the honor, at your suggestion, of acting as chairman ex-officio of the most important diplo- matic body that ever convened, and which has now happily finished its duties, the effect of which is so far-reaching in its ramifications, as to virtually put UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 169 an end to the jealousies of nations, thereby eliminat- ing unpleasant misunderstandings, merits the pro- found gratitude of our government, and its recogni- tion of the vast service rendered. This government did not at first grasp the full meaning of your incom- parable unselfishness, in relinquishing to our govern- ment all the island possessions of England and France, adjacent to our government, south of the Canadian border, as well as to all other govern- ments in the Western Hemisphere, by which act you have set the seal of your approval on our Monroe Doctrine, and given notice to the world, that as far as' the United Empire of Germany is con- cerned, you would uphold this government in all that the doctrine implies. "The wisdom of your suggestion concerning our policy in the far east, relating to our possession of the Philippine Islands, has been taken seriously by our statesmen, and brought before our Congress, and I am happy to say that our present negotiations with Japan for their transfer are meeting with fa- vorable results. "Your wisdom in recommending 'America for the Americans/ and practicing what you believe, and the magnanimous manner in which your Majesty has surrendered to America the strategic points protecting the coast line, is the greatest deed of generosity in the history of nations, and clearly 170 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY shows your desire to avoid all future complications, which their possession might entail. It must be ap- parent to all nations, that your solicitude for your people, and their welfare is the one great virtue that gives you their undivided blessing and support. "With your avowal of disinterestedness in Amer- ican possessions will come a change in our naval policy, as our now isolated position, so far from the base of the eastern hemisphere, gives us an added reason for security. This government fol- lowed very closely the naval policies as pursued by the warring nations, and saw with consternation that modern science had made obsolete the mighty battle- ships on which all nations placed the greatest amount of reliance, and that their magnitude was the chief reason of their falling easier victims to the torpedoes, hurled by the tiny submarine. This government shall 'follow in your footsteps, tjhe gradual decreasing of the navy, as that arm of ser- vice offered no defense after foreign troops had accomplished a landing, and as it will never be the policy of our government to transport troops to the eastern hemisphere, we shall witness a rapid relaxa- tion in our naval program. "May the friendship that has always existed be- tween our nations never grow less, but be more firmly cemented in our modern growth, by the ex- UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 171 change of advantageous commercial treaties, that will redound to our mutual benefit and welfare. "As a slight recompense in recognizing your per- sonal friendship, as well as the esteem of your people for our country, and to acknowledge the important services rendered, our government, through our Congress assembled, has voted to you, or any member of your imperial family, the lasting freedom of the United States, which our Ambas- sador is charged to deliver to you in person. "May it be our pleasure in the near future to render to you or yours in person the hospitality which our government will gladly bestow, and thus find means of cementing the friendship which shall always exist between your people and ours, yourself and our country's President." Upon the conclusion of this letter the United States Ambassador handed to His Majesty a large golden casket, handsomely decorated with the Amer- ican ensign, and embellished with numerous jewels. Upon opening the casket, the Kaiser discovered a gold tablet on which was inscribed: "The United States of America, to Wilhelm Second, Emperor United Empire of Germany. Greetings: The free- dom of the United States is hereby extended to your Gracious Majesty, and all members of your Imperial family at all times, to signify our love 172 UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY and respect to the high attributes of your noble deeds and generosity." After reading the letter and tablet, His Majesty's features relaxed into a pleasant smile, and, turning to his few auditors, said simply: "It is well. May God guide all our future actions, and give us wisdom to carry out his desires." Then, turning to the Ambassador: "I thank you for your sincere expressions concerning our happi- ness, and also for the noble manner in which your government, through your President, has trans- mitted their high mark of pleasure and esteem for our future welfare and glory, and shall always remember the lasting friendship and brotherly love which our nation and people bear toward your peo- ple and government. The high respect which your government has shown our family will be further cemented by our continued regard for all things American, for we cannot forget that your nation is built up of German descendants, numbering about one-quarter of your entire people, which gives us a double reason for loving your people. Kindly express to your gracious President our deep grati- fication at the manner of his thoughtfulness, and that I shall take pleasure in acknowledging my thanks to his Excellency, and the American nation in a personal letter, which I will have ready in a few days, for you to transmit to your government. UNITED EMPIRE OF GERMANY 173 "The evening is before you, and I trust you will partake of the pleasures which are open to you. Our gracious Empress will be your guide through the intricacies of the ball room,, and it will be your own fault if you fail to find the pleasure which will surround you." The Kaiser and his peers then descended the dais and all returned to the ball room, mingling with the happy multitude. JB SB >1 .... A Emperor Francis Joseph, much beloved ruler of Austria-Hungary. PART NINE IX Y friends, I won't keep you much long- er. Just a few words concerning the net result on the continent. The formation of the United Em- pire of Germany had brought vast changes in Europe and Asia. France had again become a Bourbon monarchy, and was really happy, the first time since prior to 1870. The Gaulic ideal is to have someone on whom to lavish their affections. Under the republic, this ideal was lacking, but now that another Louis reigned, the glory of France was re-established, and in their love for their young king, contentment was supreme. The Portuguese republic was also quietly over- thrown, and the Braganza dynasty restored, Ireland was free, with the full consent of England, and had chosen one of her native sons for their king. Just as emigration had weakened her, so now, under her own flag, immigration back to the "auld sod" was 176 CONCLUSION tremendous. Ireland can, and does, thank Germany for her freedom. Finland is added to the nations of the world. Spain, Italy, and Greece were the same as before. Russia, now having no pan-Slavic notions to bother her, was working wonders for her people. A tremendous change had come over Russia. No longer did their nobles oppress the people. Com- pulsory education was demanded, rights of public gathering and freedom of speech were granted. The emigration of all Jews was allowed to the Kingdom of, Poland, so that in a short time Poland will be in an extremely prosperous condition, and no doubt, in time, will rival Palestine. Under the protection of the German Empire, every freedom allowed to the rest of the people will be their por- tion. Russia has at last thrown off her lethargy, and will become a haven of rest and contentment under the new condition of affairs. It may take a full ten years for all her people to realize the blessings under which they now live, and look forward more eagerly to the future. The simple lesson taught to the Russian Imperial family, while temporarily de- tained as the Kaiser's guest, following his humane surrender, is the primary cause for all this goodness. He saw how freely our beloved Kaiser mingled with the people, and of the intense love and affec- CONCLUSION IT! tion with which he was held by all his subjects. It was a pleasure to be a German citizen, for all knew that the Kaiser's love for his people was no less than their love for him. With envy, the Czar saw all this, and vowed that as soon as he returned to his people, he would do everything in his power to win the confidence of his subjects. He realized the mighty obstacle in his way with the bureaucracy, but determined he was going to rule, and allow no one to block his ambitions for happiness. I sin- cerely hope he will succeed. The Scandinavian peninsula remained the same. But Turkey will prove the wonder of the twentieth century. We did not treat her as a football, in the manner she had always before been treated by the great powers, but restored to her all possessions torn from her last year, and established her sway more firmly now, under the protection of our Kaiser, than ever before in her history. Her Empire in Europe, now watered by the Adriatic, Aegean, and Black Seas, would never more be threatened by the Balkan question. Upon the personal appeal of our Kaiser, the Sultan promises to promulgate vast reforms throughout his empire concerning the personal freedom of his subjects in religious mat- ters, and I understand that in recognition of our enduring and substantial friendship and recent as- sistance, he is going to restore ancient Palestine to 1T8 CONCLUSION all the Jews of the world, under the joint protection of Germany and Turkey, with Jerusalem as their capital. In fact, the Kingdom of Israel restored after a lapse of more than twenty-five hundred years. I also see vast changes in the oriental idea. Japan has been stirred to her very foundations' by the encroachment of the Occident into her preserves, to her exclusion in western countries. None of the white races will allow the yellow races the advan- tages enjoyed by the Caucasian people. White men, under the alluring term of "opening up the coun- try," have received in the past, vast grants to take away the natural resources of the country, thus incidentally stirring up strife and discontent among the people. Japan, as arbiter of affairs Asiatic, has determined to ward off the white peril of greed, brutality and arrogance, and drive all Christian (?) nations from Asia. Less than seventy-five years ago, Japan was a sealed kingdom, allowing no white intruders. In the interim just past, Europe and America have opened her eyes very wide, indeed. So much so, that what takes some nations hundreds of years to see, and still don't see, has taken this wise nation half a century to read the occidental nature. She has reaped the benefit of her wisdom and is now CONCLUSION 179 ready to shake off the shackles of humility, and defy the white peril to proceed any further and curtail all future rights in their country. This will affect all western countries' having possessions on continental Asia or contiguous thereto. We may possibly become embroiled on our own account, for our Kingdom of Holland. Then our treaty with Russia may mean our assistance to our ally. England, foreseeing her future home in Aus- tralia, will enter into an alliance with Japan for their mutual protection in the same waters. But that is all in the future. The present con- cerns us more. Our beloved fatherland will wax great in our unity, and all nations will reap the vast benefits which accrue from merchandise stamp- ed, "Made in Germany." But we shall not become arrogant on our prosper- ity, but pursue the even tenor of our way. The world shall see, that, although we are the greatest people on earth, we are also the most democratic. "Now, my friends," remarked the captain "let us all rise and renew our pledge to our Kaiser, our fatherland, and our ultimate success in the struggle of which I have just told you. General," turning toward the minister of war, "I feel better now since I have told you my story, and if you think well of it, tell me candidly." 180 CONCLUSION "My dear captain, your story is so true to what we have decided upon, that I hesitate to allow it to leave the sanctity of the club, and I ask you, as well as all our friends here assembled, to remember their pledge. I am delighted that you have told this, and will say that the pleasure of listening to it is only second to my great love for you. My friends," re- marked the minister, before leaving, "let us drink to the health of our beloved Kaiser and all join in with me in singing 'Deutschland, Deutschland, iiber alles.' " The story started at eight o'clock. When all the boys left for their homes it was nearly morning. I remained at the club with my friend, who persuaded me to commit my story to some tangible form, and hold it until he released it. Even if it never sees the light of day, the manuscript will be a soothing remembrance of the night all my good friends list- ened at the club, while I sat dreamily in the big leather armchair, and told them just what I thought, and in years after, might be able to compare my forebodings with the real events, and see how my forbearance tallied with my Kaiser's. That night I dreamed the bear and the lion had come to devour me, but rising in my might, I rose up against them and slew them. When I awoke in the morning, rather late, I noticed my friend, the minister, had gone to his headquarters. Just as I CONCLUSION 181 was going to call him up on the telephone, a page brought me a large official document. "From whom?" I asked. "His Excellency, the Minister," replied the page. I eagerly opened the missive and found enclosed a furlough to the United States with some slight duty attached, as well as a personal letter, which I hastily looked over. "My dear captain," started the letter, "I enclose for you a leave of absence for two years. Go away and enjoy yourself. You need a good rest. Your story last night has upset me terribly. If, while you are away and hostilities occur, think of me. I give you leave then to use your story any way you see fit. His Majesty will hear of it before noon, so be on your way before then, and remember that in me you have always a staunch true friend." All I ask of my readers, is that they will remem- ber, when reading this, that I am a German, and can only see things from a German standpoint. My intense love for my Kaiser and Fatherland is equally shared by the seventy-five millions* at home and the thirty millions away from home. My proudest distinction is not my ancient and honorable name, but my right to being called THE GERMAN. CONCLUSION The United Empire of Germany in continental Europe, exclusive of her African colonies, embraces the following States, with a list of the more im- portant cities of the realm. Sq. Miles' Population Kingdom of Prussia 135,000 45,000,000 Courland 26,000 2,500,000 Kovno 1,000 60,000 Oesel Kingdom of Austria 116,000 32,500,000 Bosnia-Herzognia . . . . ' 20,000 2,500,000 Roumania 50,500 7,500,000 Kingdom of Hungary 125,000 22,000,000 Bulgaria 37,000 5,500,000 Servia 18,500 3,500,000 Montenegro 3,500 250,000 Kingdom of Poland 49,000 13,500,000 Grodno 14,500 2,000,000 Kingdom of Bavaria 30,000 8,500,000 Kingdom of Wurtemburg 7,500 3,500,000 Kingdom of Saxony 6,000 6,000,000 Kingdom of Belgium 11,000 8,650,000 Calais 500 110,000 Dunkirk Kingdom of Holland 13,000 7,000,000 Kingdom of Denmark 15,000 3,000,000 6 Grand Duchies 19,000 7,450,000 5 Duchies 4,500 2,250,000 7 Principalities 2,200 1,000,000 3 Free Towns 375 2,000,000 Alsace-Loraine 5,600 2,000,000 Luxemburg 1,000 350,000 711,675 188,620,000 Y 5 size of United States — twice population. Y 12 size of Russia — same population. 3 times size of France — four times population. 5 times size of England — four times' population. Density per square mile, 207. PRINCIPAL CITIES OF THE EMPIRE Berlin 2,500,000 Vienna 2,150,000 Hamburg 1,150,000 Warsaw 1,000,000 Budapest 900,000 Brussels 675,000 Munich 650,000 Leipzig 650,000 Cologne 600,000 Breslau 600,000 Dresden 600,000 Amsterdam .... 600,000 Copenhagen . . . 600,000 Frankfort-Main. 500,000 Lodz 450,000 Rotterdam 450,000 Dusseldorf .... 400,000 Nuremberg .... 385,000 Antwerp 350,000 Charlottenberg. . 350,000 Hanover 350,000 Essen 325,000 Madgeburg 325,000 Bucharest 325,000 Stuttgart 325,000 Chemnitz 325,000 Hague 300,000 Konigsburg .... 300,000 Bremen 300,000 Trieste 250,000 Prague 250,000 Lemberg 250,000 Stettin 250,000 Kiel 225,000 Mannheim .... 200,000 Strassburg 200,000 Halle 200,000 Dortmund 200,000 Liege 185,000 Ghent 175,000 Gratz 175,000 Cracow 175,000 Altona 175,000 Barmen 175,000 Danzig 175,000 Elberfeld 175,000 Cassel 165,000 Posen 165,000 Brunn 150,000 Sofia 150,000 Lobeck 150,000 Aachen 150,000 Brunswick 150,000 Karlsruhe 150,000 Krefeld 125,000 Szegedin 130,000 Utrecht 130,000 Belgrade 100,000 Szabadka 100,000 Debreczen 100,000 Mainz 125,000 Mulhausen 100,000 JoJiann Wilhelm von Lowenell Brandenburg-Hohenzollern. EXPLANATION TO MY MANY FRIENDS. The sentiments expressed in the follow- ing pages were written in 1915 as follows and are independent of the foregoing story. England's Reveries, Written during the month of May. The Fatherland, Written during the month of October. The Prince of Peace, Written during the month of October. Our Heroes, Written during the month of October. Germany as Europe's Savior, Written in July. England's Nightmare, Written in August. PART TEN X ENGLAND'S REVERIE I Farewell, farewell, a fond farewell to all my great- ness. I had ne'er thought to see the day that England, Shorn of prestige, power, and that all absorbing vanity, Would one day be compelled to sue for mercy from her father's hand. That I have been a wayward child in all times past, I'll not deny, But who would not have done the same as I, Had opportunity been thrown across their way. II Bred in the hills of Saxon land, free as the stars that shine; Uncurbed in passions, uncontrolled in deeds, un- bridled mine Was every effort. That I should follow destiny, was my share In the all-absorbing duties laid to me, and now to bear The pangs of sorrow and defeat, brought on by German lure, Makes my humiliation more than I can patiently endure. 188 ENGLAND'S REVERIES III For centuries past have I sought to control this little earth, Taking by force every point that would advantage in its girth. Great task though it seems, yet small enough for me, And when it's done — all through my mastery of the sea. Great deeds they were, that brought me much re- nown, And added vastly to my fame in good old London town. IV Gibraltar fell to me by cunning force, for what care I what others think; Then to prove my mastery, I seized on Suez's con- necting link. The channel's mine, that, no one would me this deny, But I was not content, until I had at Panama a try. While really never governed from great London town, What matters that, as long as my ship s equally go down. ENGLAND'S REVERIES 189 V How well do I remember those stirring days at sea, When the proud Spanish Armada, at Trafalgar, fell to me. For this deed, more than all others, showed me clear the way, How to browbeat nations, and leave me mistress, stay. While on the sea, I was a phantom victor; I did it through sheer nerve, As long as others feared me, that answered my all to serve. VI On land, my valiant armies thundered, protected by the fleet, I always strove to remain near shore, in order to keep my feet, My Australians valiant, with our true New Zealand host, Would march to doom and destiny, was always my free boast. I placed a mighty confidence in our white turbaned Indian men, But most of all I loved my sons from far off Can- ada's glen. 190 ENGLAND'S REVERIES VII Why do I trust my armies to sons not England's own? Even though I used them, the officers were all from home. Why lead to slaughter Englishmen, when Colonials will do? Let them do the deeds valorous, that's all I ask of you. When it comes to placing honors' upon the heroes bold, If you do look but closely, you'll find our native British has the gold. VIII When I look far back at Canada, how I won this great domain, And through the wiles of savage men, gained access to this plain. It mattered not, those peaceful French, were there, within their rights, It must be mine, to feed my purse, that's why Wolfe stormed those heights. I've used this great Dominion, to bolster up my pride, And through its vast resources, brought greatness to my side. ENGLAND'S REVERIES 191 IX Many times of late I've wondered, at golden India's bloom, With never a thought of treason, nor my own im- pending doom ! This empire gave us a Cawnpore, a Delhi, and other sleepless nights, That's the reason why I wonder, after removing all their rights. But with my artful mastery, I'll try to keep them quiet, By limiting their knowledge of the mighty things in sight. I look with pride and pleasure, at my conquest from the Boers, With much more satisfaction than Spain had from the Moors. Not that I cared for this country, half as much as I did for its gold, Its diamonds, and its location; that's what I want to hold. If I use these people civilly, perhaps they'll forget their woe. No matter what I decide to do, my ways and laws must go. 192 ENGLAND'S REVERIES XI With all my pleasures clear, comes one not bring- ing cheer, When I think of my neighbor, Ireland, the one I always fear. Down-trodden, abused, and kept in slavish chains, For fear she'll dash for freedom, and worry my poor brains, For Ireland must be an example, just to show the world my might, And any jump for freedom, from my standpoint, isn't right. XII Thus have I looked at power, and gloried in my deeds, For I never dreamed of danger; who would dare to try my reeds? Thus have I slept in security, surrounded by fear and might, For I never thought to question any nation for my right. Thus have I drank to fullness, and gorged myself at last, For I thought I knew my weakness, and debility was past. ENGLAND'S REVERIES 193 XIII Long, long will I remember the summer of fourteen, When clothed in purple and fine linen, more con- quests had I seen. More lust for greatness craved I, to feed my vanity at home, And caused me to ask for a million sons, on other shores to roam. I could play my old, old tactics, of coaxing colonials to fight, Without the loss of a single man from the British Isles so tight. XIV But my mighty efforts went to naught, against my father's sons, For the Teutons were not savages, and fought with better guns. Man for man we struggled, but without very much avail, It seemed we could not move them, so fast they held the trail. I worried some, for fear they'd come, and shatter us to bits, For the way their guns in thunder rolled, told of some smashing hits. 194 ENGLAND'S REVERIES XX First they took poor Belgium, whom I told I would protect, But I found I was not able, with the aid of France, to check Their mighty hosts, from driving us to the very edge of land, And instead of steel or powder, we had to use our hands. We burrowed in the ground so deep, they did the very same, Until at last we had to fly, from the fury of their flame. XVI Now with Russia, things went just as bad, For their cohorts fled, in rushes mad, And all Poland fell in one wild swoop, While fair Warsaw housed the victor troop. This loss, to me, caused me much pain, For well I knew, this 1 great value gained. ENGLAND'S REVERIES 195 XVII As sure as fate, they all came back, to try once more Our end to seal, and banish us back to our door. We were all in, and lacked the vim, that spurred them on, Although we knew defeat was ours, we fought to save ourselves from ruin. I cursed the day that brought me in The fury of this needless din. XVIII Why did I ever consent to go into a field so full of woe! Why should I care for other's quarrels, and mix in so! Who would have thought my first quarrel with Prussia Would bring disaster to England, France, Belgium, and Russia. How could I dream that my strength at sea Was utterly useless in struggles to be? 196 ENGLAND'S REVERIES XIX The fight on the Marne, when our foes rolled back To take up their defense in the soil with a crack. Then the fight at La Basse, with our colonials of renown, I shudder to see it, how those brave lads went down. The fight was in earnest, we were tied hand and foot, While the Germans went eastward, the Russians to root. XX While the Teutons were adding fair Poland to their crown, Here in France must we sit, to watch Ypres town. Lest our cousins from Germany come in the night And with their great forces o'erwhelm us, on our right. Leaving the road open to the coast towns, Dunkirk and Calais, To our chagrin and destruction, the world's verdict will say. ENGLAND'S REVERIES 197 XXI But long ere this, Russia will yield to German valor and renown, Leaving us helpless, humiliated, shorn of purple and crown. While poor misguided France sees no chance but in flight, Germany pushes ever forward, advancing, eager to fight. The battle is forced, the French, taunted, turn at bay, While the slaughter of reason, turns this Teuton victory to play. XXII Russia, abandoned, defeated, asks for peace in her way, Gives all up to Germany, Austria and Hungary, so that she may Return to her homes and forget how she was led to believe In the greatness of England, and the help she'd receive. But, no ! Russia's eyes are now opened ; no more will she crave Friendship nor alliance with her who once ruled the wave. 198 ENGLAND'S REVERIES XXIII After disaster to Russia comes chastisement for France, Not for mere power, but to see her just dance — The dance of defeat; close to her only great city. With fear on all faces, and from Germany no pity. Thus would she reap what she had so carelessly sown, Revolution against the republic, and the empire come home. XXIV I used my great navy, that cost me much treasure, The pride of our people, that filled me with pleasure, But when on the sea, they were targets so great For the swift submarine — I was unable to state How great were my losses, to my people at home, For fear of worse danger, unrest, from apex to cone. ENGLAND'S REVERIES 199 XXV We tried all kinds of diversions', our losses to hide By sending a squadron, with the French at our side, Down to the Hellespont, narrow, to force our way through, And capture fair Stamboul, which we tried hard to do. But vain were our efforts, for the Turks had grown wise, With the teachings from Teutons, so strong was their rise. XXVI After losing vast numbers, both ships and brave men, We made one last great effort, to conquer again. Our combined onslaught was voided, so fierce was their charge, That few ships were left floating, our marks were so large. Our navy is done for, the small sub. is to blame. Shall we tell all our people, or hide it in shame? ENGLAND'S REVERIES XXVII Thus my greatest reliance has all gone for naught, From just what we have seen, a great lesson was taught. Though your foe may look simple, trust not in his looks. I learned sadly this) lesson, but not out of books. Now back home will I go, and contented shall be To play second fiddle to my German cousin, Willie. XXVIII No more will I threaten, nor make myself bold, Nor crave after conquests, so useless to hold. Let every nation exist, as is their just right, There's enough for us all, without calling in might. Contented I'll be with my new lot in life, "Stay at home," they'll all call me, which is better than strife. ENGLAND'S REVERIES 201 XXIX Last, but not least, far down in the scale, With my gallant forces retarded, and my navy for sale. How can I look backward and see myself now, A second rate nation, among those whom I bow, No pride, no more glory, no bluster, no bluff, Taught to mind my own business, and for me that's enough. XXX So, farewell to ambition, which is nothing but pride. 'Twere better, far better, to have peace by my side. Away from all turmoil, with sweet joy in my heart, This path will I follow, from which I'll never depart. Let bygones be bygones, when all has been said, And the Union Jack is protected by the Black, White and Red. PART ELEVEN XI THE FATHERLAND. What land is that so bright and clear, That looks so good and has no fear, A land not new; grown old in cheer, The home of homes, the home so dear? Germany the Fatherland. II Where does our Kultur reign supreme, Where is our Science always seen, Our love for mankind always green, Our faith in God steadfastly clean? Germany the Fatherland. Ill Where grows the harvest best of all, The fruit so sweet at nature's call, With nuts so rich on trees so tall, God's best thanksgiving every fall? Germany the Fatherland. 204 THE FATHERLAND IV Where are the children taught to write, To grow up strong in all their might, To play by day and rest at night, So kind and true, a pleasing sight? Germany the Fatherland. V Where's the beauty with grace so fine, Features handsome and form divine, Best of sweethearts we'll all opine, Truest wives from earliest time? Germany the Fatherland. VI Where live the men with hearts so bold, Whose love of country ne'er grows cold, With patriotism richer than gold, Alters not, but will always hold? Germany the Fatherland. THE FATHERLAND VII Which of all nations heeds its needs, Where, oh where, does liberty lead, Where does labor find its full meed, Where the people most free from greed? Germany the Fatherland. VIII What nation's king is loved by all, Whose every wish answers the call, Whose only thought from fall to fall, Is for the people, large or small? Germany the Fatherland. IX Where do you find armies so grand, Steadfast and true, able to stand 'Gainst all our foes, clearing the land. Led to vict'ry by steady hands? Germany the Fatherland. 206 THE FATHERLAND X Where grow flowers fairest to see, Where are birds found mostly to be Where rivers are bright, pure and free, The land we love, for you and me? Germany the Fatherland. XI Whose navy shows such latent power, Guards its own coast through every long hour, Repels all foes with cruiser towers While sub. boats watch, and all foes cower? Germany the Fatherland. XII Then to the Fatherland be given all praise, That God in his mercy continues to raise Our country from danger, through intricate maze. The land of the true, and the home of the brave, PART TWELVE XII THE PRINCE OF PEACE. In Potsdam, on the Havel, on a blustery winter's day, 'Mid shouts of great rejoicing, an announcement went its way. It carried the glad tidings of a prince born to our realm, Third in line to Wilhelm First, whose strong hands then steered the helm. The month was January; the date was twenty seven, When to the world was given this prodigy from heaven. II Then, the year was 'fifty nine; but Time rests not in its flight; This Prince had grown to manhood, when God called him in his might. In 'eighty eight, his grandsire answered the call from on high, And three short months thereafter, Unser Fritz must also die. This Prince was now the Kaiser, and ruled a mighty nation; His thoughts were for his people, regardless of his station. 208 THE PRINCE OF PEACE III 'Twas not so very simple to wisely rule so many states, While many elder statesmen tried vainly his thoughts to abate. Great Bismarck was the first one to feel the weight of his ire, And this warrior stepped from sight with sad mis- givings dire. The world looked on in wonder, to see this young Kaiser fight, They thought it utter madness, for so rare was such a sight. IV He carried out his plans so well, that? all his people said, "We'll trust to him to lead us right, God's blessing on his head." The love of all went out to him throughout his land so great, That all his people bless him still, in large or small- er states. His every care was for their rights, his' fight was not in vain, His ideal was a lofty one ; his wishes caused no pain. THE PRINCE OF PEACE 209 V Full fifteen years had sped away when he came to the throne, And war had left its imprint still in many, many homes. "While I reign, strife shall never be, if I can ward it off, The only way to guard us right, is not for us to doff Our vigilance one little day, but hold this thought in sight, And be prepared against the time, when we might have to fight." VI He looked with foresight to the sea, a great marine to build. He saw his mighty ships so large with German products filled. They brought his country riches vast; they sailed the wide world over, He little thought such tactics then would cause bad blood in Dover. To guard this commerce well, thought he, we'll need a mighty navy, For, should there be a fight at all, they would pro- tect us, surely. 210 THE PRINCE OF PEACE VII While building all these ships so grand, so strong with might and main, He knew quite well the British mind would not en- dure this strain: "For well," said he, "I know for truth they look not on with pride To see how great these Teutons were, so near them, side by side." But this was as it had to be, to guard his interests great, For commerce now must rule the world, and share its needs with state. VIII These tactics brought the Kaiser young, before the world at large. They saw him doing mighty things, with all those in his charge. They could not understand his ways, nor see that he was bent Upon protecting Germany, no matter where he went. It was not long before they called their ministers to see Just what was meant by all this force, and what it led to be. THE PRINCE OF PEACE 211 IX All Europe asked this Kaiser bold just what was on his mind; He answered very readily: "A sure way for to find Surcease from sorrow, pain, on woe, in all the time to come, I look for freedom for our State, for every one at home. I'll build up such a bulwark strong, that none will dare assail; I'll guard my rights with ships and men, I know that I'll prevail." "I'm land locked in, with nations great, with foes on every side, I must look forward to the time when these same foes' will hide Their thoughts behind their wishes strong, and plunge us into war, For I must be prepared to fight, and hear our can- nons roar Defiance to the world at large, to those who seek our hurt, That's why I do what I have done ; our homes with steel are girt." 212 THE PRINCE OF PEACE XI "Our happiness is just as dear to us as all your kind; We have no evil in our hearts, and only wish to find A lasting peace upon this earth, free from all out- ward strife, Our wishes are for everyone, God's blessing and long life. Thus you may know how far we'll go; think well before you leap, For God will watch us here below ; our safety never sleeps." XII Thus warned the Kaiser, all those kings, with peace within his heart. They did not take so very well the words he did impart ; They hurried home to build with haste vast ram- parts on their shore. They could not read the peace within, they trusted not such lore. They called him "War Lord," knowing not he was the Prince of Peace, They could not understand his mind, nor read his heart at ease. THE PRINCE OF PEACE 213 XIII Thus time went onward in its flight, each year in feverish haste; The Kaiser still prepared his men, and did let noth- ing waste. While all the nations near at hand, had wars with- out an end, The fatherland did show the world, that war could not unbend Him, from his ways of peace so good, nor move him to take part In conquests cruel as they did fight, nor mercy in their heart. XIV Their wars and quarrels had interest none. The Kaiser could not see Why avarice should rule their hearts, where only peace should be. He knew that greed with longing eyes would look upon his land, And he was pleased to see how strong his foes he could withstand. He worried not, but went his way, rest and ease to enjoy, The nation all this rest did praise, for all it did employ. 214 THE PRINCE OF PEACE XV The greatest quarrels I now relate, since Teutons went to war, All England jumped with savage tread upon the little Boer, The mighty Russ. did long to try to gobble up the East, The doughty Japs were wide awake, and fought the bearish beast. The British won in all their strength, against their little foe, While Russia vast, fell to the blast, of Japan's little toe. XVI Spain seemed to think she was as great as in those days of yore, And practiced ways so crude and cruel, that "Uncle Sam" got sore. This war was through ere it began, and Samuel won the fight; The Cubans free, the Maine avenged; these people fought for right. The Balkan states quarreled many times, they knew not why they fought, Their sole desire was to rend each other, and all for naught. THE PRINCE OF PEACE 215 XVII The Kaiser saw with anguish deep how all did lust for gore, He blessed his God that he was free from avarice so sore; He wanted peace at any price, for well he knew the cost, How terrible it all would be for those poor souls who lost. He had no fear, for safety first was always his sure plan, For Teuton science would save all, it must, it surely can. XVIII The Algeciras conference most surely went to show To all the world the Kaiser's will, and how far he would go To keep his pledge, and not inflict disaster on his land ; What meant a little conquest there, against blood on his hand; But all his people said 'twas wrong, to give in to France's state, The Kaiser's will prevailed once more; he wiped this off his slate. 216 THE PRINCE OF PEACE XIX As time went on, the Germans waxed greatest of all nations; In wealth and strength her fame went out; from her they got their rations. She took instead, cotton and bread, and stored them for the future, Iron and coal, copper and lead, were housed without much scruple. All things were bought she did not have, to prepare for evil days; The Kaiser saw as sure as fate, the sad trend of modern ways. XX The Kaiser was Victoria's pride, he loved her as he should, For she was German through and through, though on England's throne she stood. The Kaiser loved the old Czar great, for each would shield the other; The Princess Sophie found a place, the Greek king is her lover; But Francis Joseph was a friend, more close than all relations', For Germany and Austria must guard the Teuton nations. THE PRINCE OF PEACE 217 XXI The Kaiser stood in all his might to guard the peace he loved so well. Lest countries rise, as avarice thrives, to plunge the people all to hell. The task was great, the tension strong, foul murder stalked right near the throne, The Austrian heir was called on high, before his time, and left to groan. Thus Servia brought on quarrels so thick, that human nature could not stand, And Austria was compelled to strike, with utmost force, and armies grand. XXII The Kaiser did all he could do, to stop all others joining in; The task was useless, for all thought the time had come that they could win. They little knew how sad their fate would be in time, 'gainst Teuton arms, The Kaiser knew the game too well, and soon was on the Frenchman's farms. The slaughter was great, the crime so bold, the blood cries out from hearts so cold, The Allies lost; they fought to fight. The Germans fought, their homes to hold. 218 THE PRINCE OF PEACE XXIII The blood guilt of this war shall be upon the British statesmen, Who fought for fame and glory bright, in their accursed nation. Ten hundred thousand British lives cry out to Grey and Kitchener, With Asquith close, and Churchill next, as very able teachers. The world now knows how sadness goes in every home so humble, The Kaiser prays by night and day, these four mon- sters to crumble. XXIV What good, you ask, was all this work in trying the peace to hold, With navies great and armies strong 'gainst these four pirates bold! The Kaiser weeps for Teuton sons, snuffed out in this senseless fray, And bides his time when victory's won, these rob- bers of lives must pay. For had the Kaiser been amiss, the day would barren be of bliss; While now, the Allies have to bow, and follow sec- ond after this. THE PRINCE OF PEACE 919 XXV The Kaiser holds the greatest prize that ever swung before men's eyes, With greatest exultation he will ask the price that ought to be. All Europe fell before his lance, the sun is dimmed beside his glance, For he thought well before he spoke, and took the world by storm chance. The greatest living man on earth, the king so bold from very birth, The symbol of the Prince of Peace, all through this land from girth to girth. XXVI He asked the simplest thing that was, something to brighten every cause, The golden rule from men on earth, that happiness might make us pause And bless the Kaiser young, but grey, whose great- est jewel by night or day Was) the prize he sought so patiently, and ardently, to find the way For the kingdom of God on earth, and on earth, peace, good will toward all, That men may reflect for once, and heed the wishes of his call. 220 THE PRINCE OF PEACE XXVII The joy that in his heart there was, was joy so sweet, so pure, so true, For France was now a friend so good the German black entwined their blue. The Russian bear came from afar, his truce to lay down at his feet, And thank the Kaiser for the bar that crossed out wrath, in mercy's street. The Latin skunk no place could find to hide his perfidy so blind, For all men shunned his hand so red, to leave him in his silence grind. XXVIII The Englishmen were filled with fear, they knew this effort cost them dear, And guilt was theirs, the whole world knows, these thoughts therefore gave them no cheer, They thought they must give up much land, not knowing Wilhelm's winning hand, They thought this king would do as they, and make the looser pay the band, The speech he made some years before, came back with force before their mind, They saw what fools they all had been, too late they tried escape to find. THE PRINCE OF PEACE 291 XXIX Now when the Kaiser told them straight, just what their price of peace would be, They listened like a child at prayer, and heard his terms in wonder free. No land he asked, he craved it not; he sought for freedom of the seas, Not for himself, but for the world, a peace so strong not broke with ease. He proved to them that right was might, that greed found lodgement not with him; That God would fight his battles just; strong hands without, pure hearts within. XXX Thus has the Kaiser earned a rest, as well as fame throughout the earth, This wondrous man of fifty-five has shown them all, that from his birth God sent him forth with mission large, all speaking tongues to heed his prayer, And start forthwith to walk with God, in humble ways now everywhere, A Prince of Peace, that fought for peace; a kindly man, with thoughts so pure, His reward is great down here below, for the good he did will long endure. PART THIRTEEN XIII OUR HEROES When jealous passions ruled the day, with dogs of war let loose to bay, The nation turned with eager eyes, to look for leaders young or gray. Men who could lead an army strong, and bring home vict'ry with a song, — A song so sweet to men in arms, that would teach foes the right from wrong, And drive home truths with might and main, that all may know we're not to blame. Such men as these the Kaiser sought, who would shield home from shot and flame. II Such men are found in times of stress, and with great vigor lead the press, With one thought foremost all the time, planned out before, — not left to guess. In times of peace all men are bold, when evil thoughts sway not the mind, But when this peace takes wings and flies; most all this boldness turns out blind. But even thus, men are still men, and worth comes out when called to lead, And many times strong minds are born in those true men in times of need. 224 OUR HEROES III When come those cries for heroes bold, to stop the onslaught of the Russ, Someone with nerve to still the fears of children young and women folks, Someone in whom all these may trust, to guard their honor from the bear, That they may sit in peace secure, and show their foes, they may not dare To cross our lines, while German hosts guard well the borders of our land, And know that heroes bold do stand, a bulwark strong at every hand. IV The Fatherland had one such son, grown old in service for its sake, With duties done in days gone by, around those great Mazurian lakes. Each road well known to enter in, each pathless lane engraved on brain, When duty calls be what it may, his work will not be done in vain; For should the foe gain entrance there, God help those blind, misguided tools, Who know not that the Russian bear cares not for them, but calls them fools. OUR HEROES 225 V Who is this man of wondrous weight, who walks around those grounds so vast; Who lives a life so free from care, no lines upon his brow are cast. What freedom is in every step that shows the nature of this man, Who gladly lays his pleasures by, to be a leader of the van. This man was he who won renown, through every land where wisdom dwells, Von Hindenburg the mighty one; through him we did the Russians quell. VI When he was called by Fatherland to lead his legions to the fray, And shut out the wild intruder, and with victory win the day; Von Hindenburg with his cohorts soon had the Russians on the run, And drove them back on their own soil ere their invasion had begun. This hero bold soon did unfold to all the world his weight in gold, The trust of all was well repaid, for he could not be bought nor sold, 226 OUR HEROES VII Noble features and strong of mind ; eyes so piercing and smile so kind; Voice may be gruff, — not meant to be; 'twas only so their hearts to find. Upright and true though stern he seems; with utmost faith in him that rules, Leading his men with faith sublime, agent of Mars and not his tool. Such faith as his knows not a fear; he leads his cohorts with a cheer, And tells the world that vict'ry's won, though sad the cost to foes, I fear. VIII For who can show such deeds as these without de- feat to cross his path, From Prussia East, through Poland strong, to voice the burden of his wrath. First Kovno fell, then Vilna came within the meshes of his ring, While Lublin, Lodz, and Warsaw great, were helped through aid which he did bring. But Hindenburg stopped not until fair Riga was within his grasp, His goal was north to Petrograd, this gem he sought for Teutons'' clasp. OUR HEROES 227 IX What means Petrograd to the world, who never heard this name before; Why should this city's name be changed when Teutons rap upon their door. What recks' their jealous passions strong when Hin- denburg brings on his men; He'll show them straight that name must change, and be St. Petersburg again. When on he comes with all his host, and batters down their wall so strong, He'll show them straight they erred once more, and make them quick correct this wrong. X When has the world of heroes seen such numbers vast in modern times, Whose every name is graven deep, and sounds as clear as sweetest chimes. Such names as these shall always be an asset strong for Fatherland, And teach our young to look with pride on men like these so true and grand, Our Crown Prince, Kluck, and Mackensen, von der Glatz, and poor Weddegen. Greatest of all stands Hindenburg, for what he does, he'll do again. 928 OUR HEROES XI What Hindenburg is on the land, so was Wedden- gen on the sea: He was a boy of modest mind, whose only thoughts he numbered three; His country first, his Kaiser next, for well he knew his task was great, He fought his foes right on their shores, it mat- tered not what be his fate. His other thought was vengeance strong against the British navy long, That he might sink all Union Jacks, such was the burden of his song. XII All that he did, was without fear; he showed him- self ere he attacked, And proved he was' a noble born, the work he did, his soul was racked. When sighting ships doomed for short life, he called them all down to their boats, 'Twas not their lives he wished to wreck, 'twas only boats which England floats. His eyes lit up with eager light when some vast boat dropped out of sight, This duty done, he sought the next; he never shirked an honest fight. OUR HEROES 229 XIII One day he went, as was his wont, to search the seas near Britain's shores, His mind was set on Teutons' wrongs; he longed to see the missile soar Into the stern of some foul craft, that said no boats could enter in, And prove to those who played this game, that they would have to fight with him. But one bright day, with foul intent, his treacherous foe did mask his flag, This hero bold was murdered cold, for English gold they soiled their rag. XIV Now, von der Glatz did teach the Turk; his task was ardent from the first, For he had to instil much thought, and then bring on the much sought thirst For knowledge large, to check all foes, no matter who may strike at them, To guard their shores the task was great, he did what was beyond most men, And made the Golden Horn so tight, that naught could pass them day or night; The Dardanelles he guarded well, that none could best him in a fight. 230 OUR HEROES XV The Britons came in all their strength to try to batter down his work, They thought perhaps he did his task like English- men, who duty shirk. The French then came like fighting cocks to help the British lion break through, But what they did was without thought, of havoc strong the shells they drew. For von der Glatz well knew his work, he knew that naught could pass his way, And was content to hold them back, their efforts could not win the day. XVI When Austria was hard beset, and overrun with Russian hordes, The Kaiser set about to find a leader bold, to cut the cords Of Russian strength, and win all back; to safeguard German lines' so near ; They must be stopped at any price, from Teuton soil they must be clear. A menace great perhaps they'd be if they should not be brought to halt. The Kaiser picked a man so strong, one whom he knew had not a fault. OUR HEROES 231 XVII Von Mackensen, that is his name, a Teuton bold with mind so strong; He set about to find a way to regain ground that's lost so long. His work was hard, he had to hew a path so great through Russian lines, The foe did cross where he must go, for it was up-hill all the time. At Premezel he drove them out, this stronghold fell before his drive; He had regained in little time this key which cost so many lives. XVIII He stopped not there, but hammered on, with full intent to reach his goal, His mind was set upon one thought, all Russ to him must pay their toll. Work well begun, must tarry not, he ordered all his men forward; They loved their chief with all their hearts and only waited for the word. Lemberg the fair must fall to him, 'twas not enough to drive them back. In six short weeks he gained his end and tried to capture the whole pack. 232 OUR HEROES XIX Those heroes bold, their duty did, on eastern borders of our land, All Teuton sons are pleased to grasp such honest men with both their hands. The work they did was wondrous bright, they put the bear down with a slam And took from him that spirit fierce, and made him docile as a lamb. But there was Kluck who had to drive a wedge so strong through ancient Gaul; Here was a task to stop most men, he only waited for the call. XX But Belgium stood full in his way, and said that he may not pass through, He argued not, but entered in, and showed them straight what he could do. The mighty Liege did bar his way, he must have access to Louvain, Those new tried guns did smash the way, both these fair towns he soon did gain. When Louvain fell, proud Brussels came, and asked that harm come not to her, These proud allies' soon had to flee, they thought they had no need to stir. OUR HEROES 233 XXI To Antwerp strong they all did go, here surely they could take a rest, While Namur fair and Dinant strong stopped not the progress of his zest. Time spent in vain, must work vast harm to Ger- man plans to take Paris', The Allies thought Antwerp could hold; no place had forts so strong as this. They reckoned not on von Kluck's skill, they had a German for a foe, Their ways of warfare had to bow to Teuton sci- ence, mighty low. XXII The rest we know, how he did gain quick access to the North Sea coast, And drove all foes from out this land, all Belgium fell before his hosts. He lost not sight of Paris near, and tried right hard to capture it, The Allies strong, woke up at last, 'twas here our gallant Kluck was hit; But God did guard this gallant man, his life was saved for Fatherland, He will not rest until he takes proud Paris from the Frenchman's hand. 234 OUR HEROES XXIII Our Crown Prince Fritz has earned the love of all his subjects far and near, And proved to all his right to lead vast armies on with conscience clear. A pampered son is not his part, hard work he does to earn his right To gain the hearts of those he loves, and hold this love with all his might. He ranks as leader high with all, his efforts show what he has done, The French he held up in their might, they cannot pass him at Verdun. XXIV When you do speak of heroes bold, the text is large and ne'er grows old, Such deeds shall live in days to come, these very names make all youth bold. Let honor be their portion just, let love of all go out to them, For through their aid the German cause was held up high by all these men. Our Kaiser good, as well as all our sons will cheer such noble men, Their deeds will live in days to come; the sword is greater than the pen. PART FOURTEEN XIV "GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR" Under this caption appeared the following article in the public press during the month of July, 1915: By Count von Lionell. (Author of ''European Political Economy," "Ger- man Economics," ''Forebodings and Forbear- ance," etc.) li URING almost one full year of con- flict between the great nations of Eu- rope, there have appeared in leading newspapers, from time to time, in- spired articles by representatives of leading press associations, which, while they have stated some facts, have failed mis- erably in the purpose of imparting adequate infor- mation. The articles have invariably been so word- ed as to mislead the public by attempting to hide the true state of affairs, as this has developed, dur- ing the tremendous upheaval, and such a one-sided- ness has been portrayed as to arouse suspicion of subsidized writers or a subsidized press. 236 GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR Paraphrasing a saying of America's great martyr- statesman, we may say, however, that while these inspired, one-sided articles may fool some of the people all the time, and be so adroitly worded as to fool all the people some of the time, intelligence will gradually penetrate to the consciousness of even some of the ivory-headed ones, and it will be impossible to fool all the people all of the time. To begin with, the reader must know that Ger- many is practically fighting alone. Although Aus- tria-Hungary and Turkey are putting up a strong defense, those that read will always see that it is German boats, German officers and, in the case of Austria, upward of 45 army corps (comprising nearly 2,000,000 German soldiers) and German- made munitions of war that are bringing victory to the nations defending themselves from the greed of their envious opponents. These facts are patent. Even Germany's enemies admit her superiority in every detail. The battles on land have favored German arms, skill and ingenuity from the very beginning, so much so that German troops occupy more Russian territory than would cover this great state of Mich- igan, containing a population of over 20,000,000 people, while Russia, with her vast resources in men, has been able to penetrate the German lines but once, and for her presumption was rewarded with crushing disaster. GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR 237 It was the duty of Germany to assist Austria in driving the Russians from that country, which has been successfully done, in less than six weeks' time, although they overran all of eastern Austria, com- monly known as Galicia, for nearly ten months. In doing this for Austria it was as if Germany had done it for herself. The ponderous Russian gov- ernment must be put in a position of desuetude, inertness and impotency for future mischief. Her ambition to reach warm waters must be stopped, particularly westward. This Germany has done, and now Russia will begin to realize that might will not overcome right, especially when right spells Germany, Austria-Hungary or Turkey. A fact that is not well known is that Germany alone has over 750,000 Russian prisoners, the ma- jority of whom are glad to be prisoners of war in Germany, for they are well fed, well clothed, well housed and working throughout the empire at healthy labor, for which they are well paid, thus for the first time in their lives being treated like human beings. The reading public have no doubt won- dered at the weakness of colossal Russia, but when they understand that the majority of her troops are coerced by threats and driven by force to slaughter, it is no wonder that these poor, misguided, unen- lightened peasants are glad to surrender to their more humane captors. 238 GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR In the early days of the war the various govern- ments prophesied what they were going to do to Germany. England, France and Belgium were going to invade Germany on the west, while Russia was going to advance on the east, and all were to have a jollification in Berlin, where they would settle for all time German "militarism," and, par- ticularly, the enormous commercial supremacy which German thrift and ingenuity was building all over the world. But with each and everyone, the prophecies have gone wrong. While Germany did not reach Paris before Russia was in a position to advance, she at least made a conquest of all Belgium (with the exception of a small strip of land less than one-third the area of Wayne county) and has held it against all comers, notwithstanding England and France's combined efforts. Furthermore, nothing is ever mentioned in the dispatches to show that when Germany retreated almost from the gates of Paris, that the entire army did not retreat, but that a mighty force remained in the rear of Soissons, only 48 miles' from Paris, and, what is more important still, kept its position there. Instead of France making gains over the Germans daily, according to constant dispatches, the contrary is the truth. Germany today holds tenaciously the most important provinces in all France (excepting Paris) all along her northern GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR 239 and eastern border, and has 75 per cent of all France's coal supply, and 90 per cent of all of her iron ore supply. The possession of these two most necessary and useful of France's natural resources is a vital blow to the economic life of that country, particularly at present, when iron is so precious. Not only is France deprived of these two natural resources, but she has lost also most of her machin- ery for converting the raw material into the finished product. On the other hand, what have England and France accomplished? France has penetrated German Lor- raine at its most westerly border and is occupying a strip of land 26 miles long and ten miles wide, with a few small villages. Beyond this, the march to Berlin by England and France is not even in its inception. England has accomplished absolutely nothing. Her army of less than 600,000 is en- camped within 30 miles of the sea, in France, and that little strip of Belgium before mentioned, and there they lie. Of a total of 1,000,000 men sent by England, she admits, publicly, over 350,000 lost and Germany holds' over 100,000 of her men prisoners. Her losses are over 40 per cent. This has refer- ence only to men on land. Her losses to her navy are even more staggering. England has lost on the average 40 ships every week since Feb. 18. She admits 300 sunk with 240 GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR valuable cargoes. The public, no doubt, remembers the British North sea raid in which it was alleged that the British fleet drove the Germans ''to their hole." The facts of the matter are that the Ger- mans discovered the English after they passed Heligoland in a fog, pursued them to the English coast, and sank two of the fleet — the Tiger, 29,000 tons; Australia, 19,500 tons, besides two destroyers. Last November, when the German fleet of five met the English of six off the Chilean coast, Ger- many got credit for sinking only two of the British ships, whereas four of the six were sunk — Warrior, 14,000 tons; Monmouth, 10,000 tons; Good Hope, 15,000 tons; Glasgow, 7,500 tons. Later in December, when the English fleet, en masse, over forty boats, encountered the German fleet of -five cruisers off the Falkland islands, and four were sunk, England forgot to mention that this particular victory cost her the Achilles', the Coch- rane and the Natal, all three of them cruisers of 24 knots and better boats than the German Scharn- horst, Gneisenau, Leipzig and Neurenberg, to say nothing of the Shannon and Invincible, 19,500 tons, larger and faster cruisers than any of these above mentioned. The public hears no more of the combined British and French attempt to force the Dardanelles. Why ? This fiasco has cost England the dreadnaughts In- GERMANY A8 EUROPE'S SAVIOR 241 flexible, 17,500 tons; Lord Nelson, 16,500 tons; Triumph, 12,000 tons; Comwallis, 14,000 tons; Ir- resistible, 15,500 tons; Ocean, 13,000 tons; Majestic, 15,000 tons; Goliath, 13,500 tons; Africa, 15,000 tons; Agamemnon, 16,500 tons, to say nothing of a number of cruisers and smaller boats, nevertheless component parts of the mighty British navy, and the French dreadnaughts, Suffren, Gaulos and Bou- vet. Last but not least, England's finest, largest, new- est and most valuable super-dreadnaught, the Queen Elizabeth, went to the bottom of the sea six weeks ago — to be exact, May 10. If the British public knew that their mightiest naval units were lost forever, the anger of the people would vent itself into more sinister ways than the mere shifting of the cabinet. The English government has withheld so much from the people that it dare not at this late date tell them the truth. England's other naval losses are enough to stag- ger any nation. Does it look like German naval inactivity when the mighty Audacious is sunk off the northern coast of Ireland? When the Bulwark is sunk even in the mouth of the Thames, and re- peated again later on? One reads daily of glorious French "victories." Where ? Almost at the gates of Paris. The French people know this, but the neutral readers think it is in Germany. 242 GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR It is the same with the Russian navy. Now and then the public are regaled with a naval battle on the Baltic, with some German cruisers sunk or seen limping into port. In the first place Russia's navy is all bottled up in the roads leading to Kronstad, near St. Petersburg, and in the second place, how could they be seen limping into port? If they were in a disabled condition, the victors would be in a position to follow up their aggression. But the gen- eral trend of subsidized thought is to mislead -the reading public. What an awakening there will be when Russia, first; France, second, and England, third, sue for peace ! Italy is not considered, as her share* for her perfidy, will be a revolution, fol- lowing the loss of her most precious northern states and the restoration of the Holy See to its original power. England, France, and Russia are continually try- ing to impress the outside world with the fact that they are fighting "for the cause of humanity." Humbug ! When did these countries ever con- sider the rights of others, if these interfered with their ambition? England has her Ireland, her India, her South Africa to be proud of. Her colonies have been called on to give up hundreds of thous- ands of good lives, that her own indolent, sport- loving sons may remain at home, safe. Civilized mother ! Nature has so organized all animals that GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR 243 the female will fight and give up her life even to save her offspring. Exquisite consolation, indeed, is the unstinted praise of the British staff when it announced to the widows and orphans, "They fought almost superhumanly, and saved the day for England. We are grieved to announce that our losses were heavy." Brave Canadians ! They are led to the slaughter while the English officer who directed the ill-fated charges, is' rewarded with the V. C. or higher order, according to their "birth." I have talked with members of the Canadian contingent who went through the horrors of La Bassee and Ypres and were honorably discharged, mangled. They have told me that Canada is' disgusted with the treat- ment her sons have received at the hands of the ''mother" country, and that England will find it hard to convince fresh troops to accept the same dose accorded to preceding contingents'. Not content with the assistance of all the power- ful nations of Europe, England is moving heaven and earth in her endeavor to embroil neutral na- tions. The allies know they have failed miserably. Their attempts to enter Germany have failed. Their attempts to cut off food supplies shared the same fate. They are beggaring their own resources. Living is 50 per cent cheaper in Germany today than in England, France or Russia, because Ger- 844 GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR many is not run for the sole benefit of the exploit- ers of humanity. While all the allies are shrieking for munitions and spending fabulous treasure for them away from home, Germany possesses untold quantities and uses them with good results'. Her resources are inexhaustible, her factories are work- ing at full capacity, no gold leaves the country and prosperity is hers on every side. The allies are constantly reminding the public that' this or that loan was oversubscribed. Why do England and France issue government bonds in such small denominations as four shillings? Remember, gentle reader, a shilling is only 25 cents. To con- serve their gold, this scrip is' practically put in cir- culation like the fractional currency used during the trying days of America's Civil war. Another constant reminder is the great English navy. Just as valuable in this war as a man loaded down with gold, but starving to death on a desert island. Of what use is this navy when it has feared to show itself in the war zone? Reminds one of the fable of the small dog snarling on one side of a high fence, safe from harm, while on the other side serenely sits another dog, calmly waiting for the opening of a gate. German ingenuity has perfected a small boat to do the duty of the large boats with- out endangering hundreds, on which a crew of 20 to 30 can do better service than 1,000 on a battle GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR 245 cruiser. Unheard-of things are asked by the British parliament to head off disaster — carte blanche in financial affairs, conscription of labor, orders in council giving unlimited license and authority, coali- tion cabinet and other strenuous methods employed by a stricken power to ward off disaster. England today is not the England people have been fooled into believing in. Her prestige, owing to her navy and domineering attitude, is shown to be based on bluster. Her antagonists this time are not unprotected Boers, Indians or swarthy island- ers, but her superiors in martial affairs, commercial affairs, financial affairs, and, last, but not least, patriotic affairs. It is 1 evident to all readers that the fight is directed against Germany. As long as she exists, the peace of Europe is assured. Without Germany, all the rest of Europe would be swallowed up, and there would be only Russia. Even Eng- land's position would become critical. Germany's geographical position has made it imperative that she be ever on her guard against the rapacious greed of her two inveterate enemies — Russia, with her designs on the Mediterranean, and England, actuated with an ambition to rule the rest of the world. But Germany will see to it that the nations of Europe, living in amity with all the world, shall not be crushed nor lose their national entity. 246 GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR That a foreign foe will never occupy Berlin is evidenced by the fact that Berlin is absolutely un- fortified and at the mercy of any invader who may reach it. This has always been a wonder to other nations, in this course, but the German people, united in their love of country and of God, know that it will never become necessary. Germany is invulnerable. On the other hand, the time is not far distant when the invasion of England by sea and air will be a stern reality. She will receive the punishment due her as the one responsible for the long dura- tion of the war and its fruitage of horror and deso- lation. Pity goes out to the brave men who give up their lives, the heroic soldiers of all the nations. If the world at large could only have transferred all this valor and ingenuity of the battle field to the service of peace, how enduring would that peace be, how magnificent, how conducive to brotherly love and the fulfilment of the Golden Rule; Loyalty to itself, to country, to God, all spent in torture and death — How gloriously could these virtues be used in ele- vating the races to a pinnacle of prosperity, prog- ress, peace and divine contentment. It shall be the duty of Germany to restore these to Europe. Germany is not looking for aggrandizement, but conquered Russian territory will be kept, because GERMANY AS EUROPE'S SAVIOR 247 the people of that territory will be given their free- dom and they will joyously enter the German fed- eration. Belgium will be treated likewise. But from France not a thing will be taken, aside from the channel cities of Calais and Dunkirk. PART FIFTEEN XV "ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE" By Count von Lionell. (Author of "European Political Economy," "Ger- man Economics," "Forebodings and Forbear- ance," etc.) (Another article written for the press during August, 1915.) HE greatest crime of modern times, according to the British idea, is that other nations should dare to assert themselves, and attempt to throw off the shackles, that she has so carefully- planned to keep forever on all coun- tries which have not already fallen under the vis- ionary power which she has attempted to wield over all the uncivilized as well as civilized world, and rises up in dire indignation to think that any country could be so foolish, as to flout her to her face, and strike out for themselves. In plain words, the present attitude of the two German empires are a menace and a constant nightmare to the English government. The easy-going, peace-loving disposition of the German peoples who never bother their minds about the attitude of any other coun- tries, knowing their ability to take care of them- 250 ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE selves, should any one nation or number of nations, dare to attack them, went on in the even tenor of their way, acquiring financial and commercial strength, receiving the respect due them from all the world, including their neighbors, until such time as envy, greed and fear overcame prudence and all respect for the opinions of the world, out- side the pale of British thought, and caused her to conspire with other nations, hoping thereby to curb the honest aspirations of Germanic influence over the markets of overseas trade, and retain for herself the ever-increasing demand for articles stamped, "Made in Germany/' or "Made in Austria" How well she has succeeded, is now apparent to all in- telligent readers'. England, in her attempt to interfere with things Teutonic, has, to use the common vernacular, bit- bitten off more than was good for her. Hence this terrible nightmare, which is of late, causing so much uneasiness to her statesmen, and which is now be- ginning to communicate to her people at home, as well as her dependencies overseas. But this is only the beginning of her troubles. When England declared war on Germany and Aus- tria, not for humanity's sake — abolish the thought, — not for to preserve the neutrality of any one nation, — not out of love and affection for either France or Russia, but out of love for England's ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE 251 money bags alone, coupled with her intense vanity and greed for more power, she has no one to blame but herself for the disaster confronting her homes, financial position, loss of prestige among decent governments, loss of that dominant position which she has persuaded all to believe in, and the loss of love of her colonies, whose bravest sons have been led to slaughter, to save her own indolent lives from the horrors of war, while she is loath to give up her races, cricket, regattas, and other social func- tions, so dear to the really effeminate English. But the colonies are awake to the treatment they have received, and the cry that now goes up from England for men is agonizing. The government, however, is not proselyting among her snobs, squires, or nobility, but are enact- ing laws to force the peasantry to the front, or to take up work in factories to augment the manufac- ture of munitions of war, always leaving those superior persons at home, to shame or coerce the lower classes to do the duty which rightfully be- longs to the more intelligent, who are in a better position to realize the importance of the duty ex- pected of them. This is as close to conscription as the constitutional laws of England will, for the present, allow. The real thing will come of neces- sity, a little later on. 252 ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE It is amusing to note with what supreme nerve England notifies the world that she closes the North Sea against the commerce of neutral countries, alleging that vast area unsafe for neutral maritime commerce, whereas, the real reason is, that German engineers have rendered it dangerous for the in- vincible British navy to cruise about in these waters. In other words, the Germans "put one over" on them, right under their noses, and to save their reputation, they warn the world not to attempt to navigate thereon. The closing of the North Sea has in no way affected German interests, whereas England has lost hundreds of ships along her coast line from Aber- deen, Scotland, down to Ramsgate, at the mouth of the Thames, while from Dover, right on the nar- rowest part of the English channel, to Lands End, she has lost hundreds more, and from Penzance up into the Irish Sea as far as Belfast she has lost many more, forcing her, through her ineffectiveness, to insinuate that the mines laid all around her, could not have been the work of German naval men, but is willing to accuse neutral ships for this work, and what is more astonishing, cause some people to really believe it. The public never hears of the whereabouts of the British navy in home waters. Everyone knows that the large units of the German navy are at Kiel Bay, ENGLAND'S NIG HTM ABE 25S while their submarines are encircling all England, looking for the British armada, which dare not show its head. It is true England has sent out a large number of her boats, possibly sixty-five to seventy, in the North Atlantic, to protect Halifax, New York, Hampton Roads, Bermuda, Bahamas', Jamaica and the Panama Canal, acting as the good Samaritan for others, incidentally protecting these craft from being sent to the bottom, and keeping up her bluff of invincible navy, and dominating forts not be- longing to her. Of course, the reading public will be quick to ask, what about the German boats; why don't they come out and give battle? This can be answered readily. On April 1st, 1915, England was credited with 468 boats built, and 77 building. France, with 335 built and 33 building, giving these two nations 803 boats in commission and 110 nearing completion. All these boats, with full access to the vast ex- panse of the Atlantic, Germany, on the same date, had 246 built and 58 building, and Austria-Hungary had 85 built and 39 building, giving these two na- tions 331 built and 97 building. The predominance, as you can see, is three to one. Germany) is not so foolhardy as to send out a squadron to be anni- hilated at such odds, but will quietly wait until she has sunk enough British and French vessels of war 254 ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE to equalize her power, and then, boat for boat, man for man, show her arch enemy that German pluck, perseverance, and efficiency are superior to brag- gadocious bluster, and vanity. Russia has 159 built and 82 building. But Ger- many has already eliminated this entire navy by bottling up more than half in the Gulf of Riga and the Gulf of Finland, while the remainder (except for 14, which are at Vladivostok, almost 15,000 miles away), are in the inland Black Sea, hiding from the Turkish navy and German submarines. But the work of destruction goes merrily on. Of the 803 English and French men-of-war, Germany sank 98 British and 33 French boats, reducing the number by 131, actual fighting units, with over one million tons of displacement, and allowing her sub- marines (the only effective ones ever built by any nation), to hunt out the remaining vessels and get them, one by one, until the psychological moment arrives, and then, use the larger units in such a manner as will command respect from all neutral countries, and spread fear and consternation in England. This may sound ambiguous, but the facts are that Germany will eventually land a vast army on Eng- lish soil and make that country abjectly sue for peace in the halls of their own Parliament. ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE 255 On Feb. 28, 1915, England, for the first time in one hundred years, has suppressed the British navy list, as far as the public is concerned. This would never have happened, had not her losses been more than she dared to announce to her people. Not only ships gone (but men as well) who are not reported lost forever. The last time this list was suppressed occurred in February, 1814, at the close of the Napoleonic wars. British sea supremacy must exist at all costs, even if only on paper. Of course, England is not frightened. Far from it. Nevertheless, on Feb. 25, 1915, England started to suspend the sailings of liners scheduled for trips to America, and ever since that date, there have been hesitancy and alteration of route. Everyone knows that England has attempted to shut out all imports of every description to Ger- many and Austria, no matter if coming from neutral countries, and consisting of foodstuffs, for the civilian population. Defeated in her attempts to land troops on Ger- man soil, or to harass Germany or Austria in any way, she resorts to attempts at starving the nations having over 120,000,000 people. Such unmitigated conceit is certainly wonderful. Of course Germany and Austria are going to be starved, if England and France, with their 913 256 ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE boats (that were), say so. Does the intelligent read- ing public swallow such buncombe? Do you not know that Germany and Austria are absolutely in- dependent of the outside world for their economic life, consisting of foodstuffs and natural resources of all kinds? If you did not know it, then under- stand now that Germany and Austria cannot be starved, and that living in these two countries is 50 per cent cheaper than in England, or France, or Russia. Bread, of which you have heard so much, is cheaper in Berlin per pound, than in Detroit, Mich- igan. Frog legs, caviar, and mutton chops may be scarce in Germany, but not potatoes, cabbage, bread of all grains, and beef, sugar, rice, coffee, liquors or tobaccos. There is absolutely no truth in the numerous re- ports emanating from London, Paris or Geneva, that the Teutonic countries are nearing starvation. Nor have these two countries exhausted by 50 per cent their resources in available men of military training. There are no riots throughout Germany against unoffending English, French, Russian and Italian citizens, at any time during this war, while England disgraced herself by allowing mobs to in- timidate merchants and citizens of German extrac- tion, just because Germany is more efficient in delivering sledgehammer blows to her enemies on the battle field. ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE 257 When anyone wants a thing well done, the old way is to do it themselves. England calls out lust- ily for more colonials, to go to the front, while she has so many able-bodied rioters available in London and other large urban centers. Why this frenzy against peaceable German citizens should occur, passes all imagination. From the throne down, England's most important subjects, social, financial, and commercial, are of German extraction. The gambling or easy-money habit is so strong in England that, according to the London Mail, lively betting occurs daily on chances of battles lost or gained, boats sunk or escaped, duration of war, pro and con, loss of large cities in Russia or France, and other great events, serious to the people at large, but absolutely nothing to the average Brit- isher. This is a small example of English habits. Great- er ones are to embroil many countries into a serious conflict (which may mean extinction to them) under promises of ample support, and then not be in a position to render their ally any assistance, as in the present case. England forbids one country to allow German troops to enter it, and is unable to back her up in the demand, causing the ruination of the country and the absolute loss of the national entity. At one 258 ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE fell sweep, depriving a good family of its royal heri- tage and bringing untold suffering upon the entire population. The greatest fortresses in Europe fell before the invading army, and England had to take to her boats to escape capture at the hands of the Ger- mans. At that, she lost some thousands of able- bodied, trained marines who fled to a neutral shore and are interned. Considering how England, France and Russia have lost the fight from the very beginning, it is wonderful how Winston Spencer Churchill can say at this late day (July 17, 1915) : "Germany is get- ting in the position of a wild beast in a cage that sees the fire getting nearer and nearer, and makes desperate dashes right and left." In a way he is right. England has by tremendous exertion penetrated as much as thirty miles of un- obstructed French territory, and remains there, get- ting her second wind, so as to be in a position to run back to the coast out of harm's way, when the German army starts to come. That is' what he probably meant by "making wild dashes." Kitchener also said the war would start in May. It did start, but not the way he expected. The English commander in chief was compelled to report to his superiors "that the Canadians saved the day for England, but that their losses in one fight alone ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE 259 were over 25,000." Brave Canadians ! But they are waking up, and the next big losses will not be Canadians. A nation that brings on a war, and then depends on others to fight their battles, don't deserve to have anything but losses. John Redmond made a statement in March, 1915, that there were over 250,000 Irish fighting in the ranks, while in June, 1915, the same gentleman said there were about 120,000 Irishmen at the front. In three months' time his memory had fallen off fifty per cent. The actual facts concerning the Irish volunteers at the front are not available, but hun- dreds of private reports from other colonials at the front place their number at less than 50,000. Why should Ireland assist in a quarrel that is not of her seeking, and why are there so few of them at the call of their government? The answer is that these down-trodden, politically abused people, have long memories of incessant wrongs inflicted upon them wantonly for generations, and with the exception of a small portion, located in County Ulster, the balance of the country are heart and soul in accord with Germany, and nothing would please them more than to see a German army land on their coast. Irish volunteers would not then be wanting. The country would practically rise up to a man and fight side by side with their steadfast friends. 260 ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE England knows this, and for that reason has con- stantly — since the war — kept over 100,000 of her soldiers (not constabulary), there to guard against an uprising. England, not being able to reach Germany, with all her boasted strength and resources, attempts to blockade maritime commerce, forgetting that it is a poor rule that will not work both ways. Her efforts to cut off Germany has reacted upon herself, so much so, that she is frightened to the verge of hysterics. To add insult to injury, Kitchener absolutely re- fuses to allow the public to glean any knowledge of what is transpiring. The British government, now in the hands of their military, and brokers, are willing to call on the people for assistance, but would never dream of taking them into their confi- dence. If the average Englishman knew the full extent of the misery, Grey, Asquith, Churchill and a small coterie of others have brought upon their country, just to satisfy personal vanity and gain, the stirring times of Oliver Cromwell would be enacted over again. It is commonly believed that history seldom re- peats itself, but the anger of the people might not stop at the ministers but would overwhelm the throne. ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE 261 England is constantly prating of her fight for an ideal; liberty, justice and humanity. Are there no other governments built upon the same solid foun- dation? Germany possesses greater liberty, purer justice, absolutely devoid of miscarriage, and her humanity and culture walk hand in hand with the noblest teachings of the Almighty, diffusing knowl- edge and contentment to all her people. The gov- ernment has nothing to hide from the people. The loss of life is heavy, the waste of treasure is great, maritime commerce crippled, but all the German races know what is going on all the time, and in that knowledge have greater fortitude to bear their grief, greater confidence for ultimate success, and greater love for their Kaiser, who is moving heaven and earth toward the means of making a peace that will endure. The world at large did love him be- fore the war, but a censored and subsidized press has attempted to belittle the noblest and most ex- alted man of modern times, and after he has brought peace out of havoc, will then again come in for all manner of praise. His private life, as well as his public efforts, have been blameless, and none mourn more than he, for the innumerable lives of all nations, snuffed out so recklessly, through the insatiable greed and lust of a few British statesmen (?) 262 ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE Well may the Kaiser be likened with Augustus Caesar, who cried out for his legions, some years before the beginning of the Christian era. The Kaiser feels like a father to all Germans, and equally grieves at every loss. Anyone who is not a German, knows nothing of Germany. All nations think their own is perfec- tion, and invincible, which should be so. Patriotism is the keynote to a country's safety. Germany and Austria are solidly united, and that is the reason, after one full year of conflict with all the balance of Europe at her throat, she has been able to astonish the world with her prowess, tact, and ingenuity. The national government has no need to send her ministers to her great centers to plead with the people, as Lloyd George was compelled to do, before a Manchester audience last month, a most humiliating speech, to come from one, who considers Germany a despised antagonist. The London Times, with characteristic fatuity, remarks, ''The unexpected strength and tenacity the Germans are displaying in all the theaters of the war, necessitate the heaviest sacrifices." At this late date London begins to fear that her blockade is worse than useless. Germany apparently has all she needs to carry on her end of the conflict, just as though England did not exist. ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE 263 Necessity is the mother of invention, and German ingenuity replaces many staples thought absolutely imperative to her economic welfare. Germany is not dependent upon neutral countries for food- stuffs, nor munitions of war, nor any component part that enters into its manufacture. The public press is daily teeming with large an- nouncements of shipments, consisting of steel rails 1 , locomotives, freight cars, pig iron, billet steel, cop- per, cotton, all kinds of oils, powder, dynamite shells, shrapnel, guns, arms, horses and troops, boats, automobiles, trucks and numerous other ar- ticles, for which they are compelled to pay in gold, thereby diminishing their reserves, enormously, and inviting bankruptcy or future repudiation of their national obligations. A statement issued on June 4, 1915, by the bureau of census gives U. S. 119 billions of wealth. Also the latest figures available for tho entire Brit- ish Empire (Great Britain, Canada, Australia, In- dia, South Africa, and all remaining possessions), at 108,250,000,000. The same report gives Germany alone 76,000,000,000, without considering Austria, whose wealth is reckoned at 40,000,000,000, giving the two little Teutonic nations more wealth than the combined British Empire, and the reading pub- lic wonder how these German countries can keep up. 264 ENGLAND'S NIGHTMARE The latest statistics just prior to the war gave France a national debt of $160.24 per capita; Great Britain, $76.35 per capita; Russia, $27.02 per cap- ita, and Germany, $17.81 per capita. Not one ounce of gold leaves Germany or Austria. You can read- ily see the difference, and the ultimate result it is going to have on the country. While Germany and Austria are putting up tre- mendous energies to force a lasting peace upon Europe, without looking for too great a reward, England and her allies are in a constant nightmare of fright, wondering how it is done. True patriotism, love of country and Kaiser, coupled with steadfast resolution toward the ac- quiring of one object, utter disregard for the ad- verse opinions of her enemies, and willingness to suffer all sacrifices of industrial and financial wealth, as well as personal service for the safeguard of the Empire, are the fundamental reasons for Ger- many and Austria's success in driving out the ruth- less invaders. Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: jy^j 2001 PreservationTechnologie; A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRE9ERVATI0I 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724)779-2111