The unexpected influences of this war upon Germany herself is a striking
consideration. Few men anticipated the far-off results of the Kaiser's
alliance with the Sultan and his polygamous philosophy. During the past
two years the German newspapers, magazines and debates in the Reichstag
have been filled with startling suggestions concerning the family. The
_Berliner Lokalanzeiger_, on March 7, 1916, published a statement urging
that "every girl should be given the right on reaching twenty-five
years to have one child born out of wedlock, for which she should
receive from the state an annual allowance."
Dr. Krohne, in his address before the House, says: "The decline of the
birth rate in Germany has proceeded three times as fast as in the
preceding twenty-five years. No civilized nation has hitherto
experienced so large a decline in so short a time. Our annual number of
births falls already to-day by 560,000 below what we had a right to
expect. We should have to-day 2,500,000 more inhabitants than we have."
Commenting thereupon, the _Berliner Lokalanzeiger_ demands that
"illegitimate children should be put socially and morally on a level
with the legitimate."
When, therefore, the Kaiser cast about for an alliance with some man who
could be his bosom friend and could love what he loves, the Kaiser chose
the Sultan with his polygamy and the Moslem teaching with its harem. No
British or French officer, therefore, was surprised when documents like
the following began to be found on the dead bodies of young German
officers. This document is a verbatim and absolutely accurate copy of
one of the many now deposited in the various departments of Justice and
the War Departments in Havre and Paris:
"Soldiers, a danger assails the Fatherland by reason of its dwindling
birth rate. The cradles of Germany are empty to-day; it is your duty to
see that they are filled. You bachelors, when your leave comes, marry at
once the girl of your choice. Make her your wife without delay. The
Fatherland needs healthy children. You married men and your wives should
put jealousy from your minds and consider whether you have not also a
duty to the Fatherland. You should consider whether you may not
honourably contract an alliance with one of the million of bachelor
women. See if your wife will not sanction the relation. Remember, all of
you, the empty cradles of Germany must be filled.
"Your name has been given us as a capable man, and you are herewith
requested to take on this office of honour, and to do your duty in a
proper German way. It must here be pointed out that your wife or fiancee
will not be able to claim a divorce. It is, in fact, hoped that the
women will bear this discomfort heroically for the sake of the war. You
will be given the district of ----. Should you not feel capable of
carrying on the task allotted to you, you will be given three days on
which to name some one in your place. On the other hand, if you are
prepared to take on a second district as well you will become
'drekoffizier' and receive a pension. An exhibition of photographs of
women and maidens in the district allotted to you is to be seen at the
office of ----. You are requested to bring this letter with you."
This is an amazing document. Plainly the German family has broken down.
But no household can be built on free love in 1918, just as no stone
building can be erected on hay, stubble or sand. The German family has
gone, and German society is tottering towards its final ruin.