FOREWORD CONTENTS CHAPTER I THE HIGHER LAW The reckoning at hand-By what standard to be measured? -The higher law, its origin, existence, and recognition -Germany's conduct a challenge to this law and a denial of its existence-The workings of this law seen in the records of history CHAPTER II THE HIGHER LAW AND THE WORLD WAR Causes of present world war-Seizure of Silesia by Frederick the Great―The partitions of Poland-Condonation of Prussia's successive violations of the higher law-The Turkish atrocities-Russia's defense of the SlavsThe Congress of Berlin-Austria and Germany emboldened by constant condonation of their offenses-Intervention by leading nations in 1914 might have prevented war-Collective responsibility of nations for peace of world-Allies' waning demand for "punitive" justice-The higher law demands the destruction of Prussian Empire-Industrial Germany's dependence upon allied countries for raw materials-Possibility of disintegration of Prussian Empire-Imperial Government will vanish with power that created it— Best of Germany not Prussian-Destruction of Prus PAGE V sian Empire by separation of Prussia from the German PAGE 28 Is a nobler Germany a possibility?—Distinction between Prussia and Germany and Imperial Government and German people-Peace and war parties in Germany- Dr. Francke's article-His mistaken reasoning— Socialist opposition in Germany to the war-Possibility of an economic boycott against Germany after war- THE LIBERATION OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE German people's defiance of Kaiserism as shown by growth sufficient; Prussia itself must go-United States in PAGE 88 CHAPTER V THE WORLD DRAMA Possible exceptions to author's argument-Bismarck's shameless policy of statecraft-The theft of SchleswigHolstein-Every nation has two personalities, that of its living citizenship and that of its institutional history-This illustrated by sketch of character and outline of these two personalities of the United States -These two personalities of the nations will be present at peace conference in spirit-An understanding of the war impossible without an understanding of the psychology of historic entities participating in it— This best illustrated by a literary analogy-Shakespeare's Hamlet best visualizes personalities of the nations at war-The great impression of this play upon human thought-Argument of the play-An interesting literary curiosity discussed-Characters assigned to the various nations and reasons therefor CHAPTER VI THE HAMLET OF NATIONS United States the Hamlet of the literary analogy—America now the Hamlet of the last act-Theories of causes of Hamlet's temporizing-Changed spirit of America since entering the war-Its attitude during period of neutrality-Partial justification for this attitude found in assumed isolation of America—America's awakening in March, 1918-A glorious chapter in American history -What part will America play at the peace table? 120 162 CHAPTER VII AMERICA AS PEACEMAKER The Allies' agreement at beginning of war against a separate peace-No peace terms then formulated-Discussion of peace terms started by President Wilson—The "Fourteen Points"-Concurrence of Senate necessary to any treaty of peace-The Senate's power in foreign relations-Prerogative of Senate in this respect reduced to a minimum under present AdministrationPresident's failure to consult members of Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs during present crisisConsideration by American people of the "Fourteen Points" desirable. CHAPTER VIII THE TERMS OF PEACE Discussion of the "Fourteen Points" seriatim-America's task the reconstruction of a shattered civilizationThis can be best done by co-operation with our AlliesThe President's great opportunity in insisting upon expulsion of Prussia from the Germanic Confederation and the reconstitution of a nobler Germany-The President's heavy burdens-He is not infallible—His expressed desire to interpret opinions and wishes of his fellow-citizens-To do this, necessary that he know those opinions and wishes-Not disloyal to express an honest dissent to Executive act or proposalFreedom of expression of opinion eminently proper in order that President and Senate shall have benefit of enlightened public opinion-That the author's purpose PAGE 175 192 |