It is interesting to consider how absolute has been the rupture of
Germany’s oath, as taken on her subscription to the Hague Convention.
In the light of the violation of the neutrality of Belgium--that
colossal infamy, destined to rank for all time as the greatest and
vilest betrayal to which a civilised nation has ever sunk--the rest,
considered singly, may seem lesser offences. Yet the violation of
the neutrality of Luxemberg; the violation of the French frontier
before declaration of War; the violation of the Geneva Convention;
the slaughter of prisoners and wounded; the rape and arson, loot and
murder; the use of forbidden bullets and forbidden asphyxiating gas;
the bombardment of unfortified towns; the treachery and needless
cruelty inflicted against civil populations; the crimes on the high
seas--all tower together into such a massive indictment as no nation
has yet been driven by her tyrants to endure. But beyond this, the
warfare, as carried on by Germany’s creatures in all lands, alone
amounts to a wide infraction of the promise that Count Münster signed
at the Hague for the German Empire in 1899. “Treacherous methods of
warfare” were then abjured by a people which has sunk to such depths of
treachery that Judas, Brutus, Cassius, in the threefold jaws of Dis,
might protest at their intrusion.
The French arms for Tripoli were a typical trifle; they sink into
subject for laughter before the understanding between France and Italy
and the knowledge of what Germany has done since that incident. And
now, in the hour of need, we learn that Teutonic inspiration has taken
another hint from Frederick the Great. Forged English paper money
begins to circulate in the Fatherland.
To this they have come; and since English Treasury notes do not go to
Germany, and we are told that all leaving this country return swiftly
to it, let us trust that any presentation of the forged paper in London
may win the attention it deserves.