It still remains to be explained how, by what means, by what deadly
influences, this German nation, consisting of men who, as individuals,
are not all brigands, has reached and been led to this state of
savagery? In the preparations for this _collective madness_ of a
people, what part has been played by its leaders of thought and its
politicians, by race and by education? This is a disturbing phenomenon
which students of mental disease[30] will study later, but on the
examination of which we cannot here embark. It is not for us to seek the
pathological cause for this moral decay--this decadence. We have only to
note its _effects_.



FOOTNOTES:

[24] Need it be noted here that even if in any locality an imprudent
civilian had fired a shot, it would still remain--in accordance with the
Hague Convention, International Law, and plain morality--a veritable
crime to massacre in a heap, haphazard, and without enquiry, so many
innocent souls?

[25] L.H. Grondijs, "Les Allemands en Belgique," p. cxix. (Paris,
Berger-Levrault, Publishers).

[26] Liebknecht was too honest and embarrassing a witness for Germany.
He has been thrown into prison. We salute him.

[27] The martyrdom of Dinant began on August 24th; that of Louvain on
the 25th August, at 5 p.m.