The wonders that Germany has accomplished in this war, not only in
the marching and fighting of her armies, but in civic and industrial
organization sets the pace for the world, which all the nations will have
to approximate in the immediate future, or fall hopelessly behind. After
waging war for a year against five great nations and several small ones,
in which the number of men engaged and the expenditure of war material
has been unparalleled, Germany shows no signs of exhaustion. She has
demonstrated that her people cannot be starved out. She has demonstrated
that she has an unlimited supply of men and munitions. While the armies
of the opposing nations have frequently suffered from lack of ammunition,
the Germans have always had an ample supply notwithstanding the
lavishness of their expenditure. And in the civil life the whole people
of the country not engaged in military operations have been organized and
employed so as to produce the best results in supporting the war. The
method, the careful planning, the foresight, displayed by the civil and
military administrators have never before been equaled by any nation in
the history of the world. The marvelous German efficiency is the natural
outflow of this method and foresight combined with the energy of the
German character. In comparison with the German method the method of the
other nations seems haphazard. Other elements of the German power are
industry, frugality and careful attention to details. Nothing is allowed
to be wasted. The same marvelous organization and method was displayed
by Germany in peace before the present war broke out. The strength that
the nation displayed in industry and commerce was no accident, any more
than is the strength she is now displaying in war. Here in the United
States especially the lesson of Germany should be taken to heart. We need
it in peace, and we may need it in war. We have the most vast and varied
resources of any nation on earth, and our methods are the most wasteful.
Our people possess phenomenal energy, but they waste much of it in
frivolity. They have the most abounding wealth, and they dissipate it in
extravagance. With the frugality and patience and method and organization
of the Germans our nation could lead the world in peace or in war, in
science, in education and in ethics.