Here is the grim choice of alternatives presented to other nations by
the creed of _Deutschland über Alles_--the cost of resistance and the
reward of submission. On one side lies the man who has fought a good
fight “for Freedom.” He has lost his life but won an immortal memory
inscribed upon the cross. The other has saved his life, and lo! it is
a “dog’s life.” He is not even a well-treated dog. Harnessed, muzzled,
chained, he crawls abjectly on hands and knees and drags painfully
along the road, not only the cart, but his heavy master too.
In the Netherlands and other parts of the Continent, where dogs are
used to pull little carts, the owner generally pulls too; it is a
partnership in which the dog is treated as a friend and visibly enjoys
doing his share. Partnership with Germany is another matter. The dog
does all the work, the German takes his ease with his great feet
planted on the submissive creature’s back.
The belligerent nations have made their choice. Germany’s partners
have chosen submission and are playing the dog’s part, as they have
discovered. The Allies on the other side are paying the price of
resistance in the sacrifice of life for Freedom. And what of the
neutrals? They are evading the choice under cover of the Allies and
waxing fat meanwhile. It is not a very heroic attitude and will
exclude them from any voice in the settlement. But we understand their
position, and at least they are ready to fight for their own freedom.
There are, however, individuals who are not ready to fight at all. They
call themselves conscientious objectors, prate of the law of Christ and
pose as idealists. If they followed Christ they would sacrifice their
lives for others, but they are only concerned for their own skins.
Their place is in the shafts. The true idealist lies beneath the Cross.