Such opinions are not well based, and their authors do not understand
the German temperament, the principles of German government, German
organization, or German Socialism.

Socialism in Germany is neither of the destructive order of that in
Russia, nor of the wild varieties found in America; nor has it even the
order of the Socialism of England. Twenty years ago the Socialism of
Germany might be recorded as against the invasion of Belgium, and the
bonds of Socialism existing between Belgium, France, and Germany might
have interfered with the war programme.

But Socialism in Germany has passed the stage of labor-agitation.
Indeed, it has been transformed in the reign of the present Kaiser from
agitation against capitalism within the empire to agitation for the
expansion of Germany in the territory of its neighbors throughout the
world, that German labor may, through German arms, enter into and
possess the land without. German Socialism is thus allied with German
militarism, and it has also become the respectable party of opposition
in the Reichstag. The middle classes of Germany of late years have
voted for Socialistic candidates whenever they disagreed with the
government. It is the party of protest and of opposition. It is a
party of the empire, not of any world socialistic movement.

Germany is thoroughly knit together in support of its government and
its Kaiser. The German people do not seek a constitutional government
like England, or a republican form of government like France or the
United States. They believe their situation and safety in the middle
of Europe call for a more autocratic form of government, and one not
too quickly responsive to popular sentiment.