Repository: UIHistories Project: War Publications - WWI Compilation 1923 - Article 25 [PAGE 8]

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not have been better ahown than by the rapidity with wh' the rest of the world has adapted itself to the conditions forced upon it by this long-conceived and slowly-worked-out planfo military ascendency. For education, art, religion, industry, trade, philosophy public administration, all have been directed to the attainment of that end—the perfection of military power. German military methods became the standard for the armies of other nations. The world watched and did not understand that the awful engine of war was constructed for the purpose of terrorizing and dominating the world. Few saw clearly and fewer still believed. But it is evident now that it was all part of a deliberate plan of preparation for a war which it was believed would establish German supremacy over a beaten, mutilated, murdered world. Briefly put, the present war was begun by the German Government in order to effectuate a third in a series of steps planned since the days of Bismarck. The first was the accomplishment of German unity; the second the creation of the strongest military power in Europe; the third, the attainment of a military position sufficiently strong to dominate the world. Men ask, and History will ask, what claims, what defense, does Germany offer in explanation of such a crime. Some German public men and writers claim that they are engaged in a war of defense, and that the responsibility for the present world catastrophe does not rest on them. It is hardly worth while, in view of all the testimony and evidence that have been published on this matter, to discuss this now. The claim was not advanced until the advance of the German army was checked. It may be said, however, that there history for which the responsibility can be fixed as definitely as can the responsibility for beginning this Following Bismarck's policy, the German Government its diplomacy always tried to shape events so that it would seem not to be the aggressor. This was the case with Denmark in 1862. It was the case with Austria in 1866. It was the case with France in 1870, Bismarck even going so far as to falsify a telegram in order to make his position more plausible. So in the present case. Germany accepted the murder

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