I. FUNDAMENTAL CAUSES OF THE WAR.

1. GENERAL FACTORS. 1. The constitution of the German Empire permits its for

oign policy to be determined by the Emperor alone, who is at the same time, by “divine right,” King of Prussia—the State which possesses an overwhelming territorial, political, and military predominance in the Empire.

“The Emperor declares war with the consent of the Bundesrat, the assent of the Reichstag not being required. Not even the Bundesrat need be consulted if the war is defensive, and as the Hohenzollerns have always claimed to make defensive warfare it is not surprising that even the unrepresentative Bundesrat was officially informed about the present war three days after the Emperor declared it.” (Charles D. Hazen, The Government of Germany; Committee on Public Information publication.) (See War Cyclopedia, under "Autocracy," "Kaiserism,"

“ William II.”) 2. Profit derived from war in the past by Prussia (Germany).

(a) Through increase of territory (cf. maps).
(b) Through indemnities (e. g., from France, 1871).
(c) Through increased prestige and influence. Hence

justification of the “ blood and iron ” policy of
Bismarck, and his predecessors. War as "the

national industry” of Prussia. “ The Great Elector laid the foundations of Prussia's power by successful and deliberately incurred wars. Frederick the Great followed in the footsteps of his glorious ancestor. . . . None of the wars which he fought had been forced upon him; none of thom did he postpone as long as possible. ... The lessons of history thus confirm the view that wars which have been deliberately provoked by far-seeing statesmen have had the happiest results." (Bernhardi,

Germany and the Next War, 1911.) Gormany's demand for “a place in the sun." (ax Meaning of the Kaiser's phrase (" a place in the

sun”) not clear. It covers vaguely colonies, commerce, and influence in international affairs in proportion to Germany's population, industrial

importance, and military power. (b) Obstacles. The German Empire was a late

comer in the family of nations; the best regions for colonization and exploitation, especially in the temperate zones, were already occupied by

other Powers. (6) Examples of the demand. (See Conquest and

Kultur, secs. 6, 10; War Cyclopedia, under

“Place in the Sun," " Pan-Germanism," oto.) “We need colonies, and more colonies, than we bavo

already, to give vent to our surplus energies without losing them and to make the motherland economi. cally independent." (Manifesto of the Colonial League.)

“We need a fleet strong enough not only to protect the colonies we now have, but to bring about the noquisition of others." (Manifesto of the Navy League.)

“A progressive nation like ours needs territory, and if this cannot be obtained by peaceful means, it must be obtained by war. It is the object of the Defense Association [Wehrverein) to create this sontiment.” (Lieut.-General Wrochem in speech to the Wehrverein in March, 1913.)

“Without doubt this acquisition of new lands will not take place without war. What world power was ever established without bloody struggles ?” (Al. brecht Wirth, Volkstum und Weltmacht in der Geschichte, 1904. Quoted by Andler, Le Pangermanisme continentale, 1915, p. 308.)

“It is only by relying on our good German sword that we can hope, to conquer that place in the sun which rightly belongs to us, and which no one will yield to us voluntarily. ... Till the world comes to an end, the ultimate decision must rest with the sword.” (German Crown Prince, in Introduction to

Germany in Arms, 1913.) 4. Biological argument for war.

(a) Darwin's theory of the “struggle for existence "

as a chief factor in the evolution of spocios. (b) Development in Germany of the theory that

States are of necessity engaged in such a “strug

gle for existence.” (c) Hence war is an "ordinance of God for the weed

ing out of weak and incompetent individuals and

States." Corollary: “Might makes right.” (d) Examples of such arguments from Treitschke,

Bernhardi, etc. (See Conquest and Kultur, seo. 1, 2, 4; War Cyclopedia, under“ Bernhardi,” “Treitschke," “War, German View;" Vernon Kellogg, “Headquarters' Nights,” in Atlantic

Monthly for August, 1917.) “War is a biological necessity of the first importance, a regulative element in the life of mankind which cannot be dispensed with, since without it an unhealthy development will follow, which excludes every advancement of the race, and thereforo all real civilization. ... 'To supplant or be supplanted is the essence of life,' says Goethe, and the strong life gains the upper hand. The law of the stronger holds good everywhere. Those forms survive which are able to procure themselves tho most favorablo conditions of life, and to assert themselvos in tho universal economy of Nature. The weakor succumb. ...

“Might gives the right to occupy or to conquer. Might is at once the supreme right, and the dispute

This outline was prepared with the active aid of the Committee on Tablie Information (Department of Civic and Educational Co-opera. tion), 10 Jackson Place, Washington, D. C. Frequent reference is made herein to the publications of this committee, which with . few anoptions are distributed tree upon application