[Enthusiastic and
continued applause.]
* * * * *
Teachings of Gen. von Bernhardi
By Viscount (James) Bryce.
* * * * *
London, Oct. 3.
The present war has had some unexpected consequences. It has called the
attention of the world outside of Germany to some amazing doctrines
proclaimed there, which strike at the root of all international morality
as well as of all international law, and which threaten a return to
primitive savagery, when every tribe was wont to plunder and massacre
its neighbors.
These doctrines may be found set forth in the widely circulated book of
Gen. von Bernhardi, entitled "Germany and the Next War," published in
1911, and professing to be mainly based on the teachings of the famous
professor of history, Heinrich von Treitschke. To readers in other
countries, and I trust to most readers in Germany also, they will appear
to be an outburst of militarism run mad, a product of a brain
intoxicated by love of war and by superheated national self-consciousness.
They would have deserved little notice, much less refutation, but for
one deplorable fact, viz., that action has recently been taken by the
Government of a great nation (though, as we hope and trust, without the
approval of that nation) which is consonant with them and seems to imply
belief in their soundness.
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