"World power or downfall," Bernhardi put it.




CHAPTER III

THE POLITICAL CAUSES OF THE WAR

A State with no Morals--A Peace Treaty sundered--Where Germany fails--A
Thunderbolt.


Sending his little expedition to China the Kaiser said:--

"When you encounter the enemy you will defeat him; no quarter shall be
given, no prisoners shall be taken. Let all who fall into your hands
be at your mercy. Just as the Huns one thousand years ago, under the
leadership of Attila, gained a reputation in virtue of which they still
live in historical tradition, so may the name of Germany become known
in such a manner in China that no Chinaman will ever again dare to look
askance at a German."

Belgium was made an example of. According to the German idea she
should have accepted money and not stood in the way of German progress.

German military progress is allied with German commercial progress. It
is a mistake in the conception of Germany to imagine that she wars for
the purpose of war or for the development and training of her men.