Does it sound like a paradox when I say Germany's struggle concerns not
only her own destiny, but to a considerable extent that of America? Does
the United States consider itself entirely immune from the warlike
complications brought about by the Servian murder of Princes and
Russia's breach of faith? In any event, it will be difficult for it to
say: "What's Hecuba to me?" One thing should be clearly understood on
the shores of the five oceans, that the cause of this most terrible war
does not emanate from the dark Balkans, or from a Russian military
group, but from envy and hate which healthy, young and striving Germany
has aroused in her older rivals; not because this or that demand was
made by one Cabinet and refused by another, but because it was believed
there was finally an opportunity to destroy the hated opponent who
threatened to put the older Western European powers in the shade, and
for this reason England and France put their strength into the service
of criminal and brutal Servia. The following statistics will, perhaps,
throw some light on the development of the foreign trade of the
principal countries from 1870 to 1913 (in billions of marks):
1870. 1913.
Great Britain 9,180 23,280
France 4,540 12,300
Russia 2,000 5,580
Germany 4,240 20,440
In these forty-three years, which have been decisive in the development
of international economy, England, France and Russia have not been able
even to increase their foreign trade three times, while Germany and the
United States have increased theirs five times.
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