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Certified by Dr. Bernhard Dernburg, German Ex-Colonial
Secretary.
_The following is presented as a complete defense of the German position
in the present war and is based upon examination of the German and
English "White Papers." It was prepared in Germany and forwarded to Dr.
Bernhard Dernburg, who had it translated for_ THE NEW YORK TIMES _of
Nov. 1, 1914_.
_Dr. Dernburg gives this statement his full approval and accepts complete
responsibility for it._
Two of the five great European powers that are at present engaged in
war, Austria-Hungary and Russia, whose differences for years have been
constantly increasing in sharpness, and after the tragedy in Serajevo
became impossible to be bridged by diplomacy, conjured up the frightful
struggle.
With these two, two other powers are so closely united by alliances that
their participation in the war also was unavoidable; they are Germany
and France.
There are two other great European powers whose relations to the two
aforesaid groups before the war were very much alike in the essential
points. Just as Italy was politically tied by alliance to the central
powers, so England was with the Franco-Russian Alliance. Hence it was
uncertain how these countries, each geographically removed from the main
body of the Continent, would act in a war, and it seemed quite possible
that both would decide to remain neutral.
As a matter of fact, the Italian Government came to the view that such a
stand would be for the best interests of its country.
This decision might have made it considerably more easy for England to
also maintain her neutrality, which, from political, economical, and
ethical reasons, would have been advantageous and natural for the Island
Empire. To the surprise and indignation of all those Germans who for
years had been working toward an adjustment of the conflicting interests
of both countries--among these ought to be mentioned, above all, the
Kaiser and the Imperial Chancellor--the Liberal British Ministry
immediately declared war on Germany, and did not confine itself to a
naval war, but, in keeping with agreements reached years ago between the
English and the French General Staffs, as is now admitted, equipped an
expeditionary army, thus considerably strengthening the French forces.
The question arises, "What reasons led British politics to this
monstrous step?"
Much has been written during the last weeks from the German side,
criticising most sharply and with great justification the motive of the
London Cabinet. In the following discussion we will confine ourselves to
an impartial review of the documents published by the English Government
itself in its own defense.
The essential part of this justification is contained in the
"Correspondence Concerning the European Crisis," placed before the
British Parliament shortly after the start of the war, which is known as
the British "White Paper." In amplification are to be considered the
"White Book" placed by the German Government before the Reichstag and
the "Orange Book" published by Russia.
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[Illustration: STATE COUNCILLOR SAZONOF
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
(_Photo (C) by American Press Assn._)]