Statement by Baron Korff, Imperial Russian Vice Consul, New York, Sept.
6.
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria at Serajevo, in
the light of present conditions, appears to be the pretext which led to
the present great European war, involving the Empires of Germany and
Russia, the Kingdoms of Great Britain and Belgium, and the Republic of
France. It is rather difficult for the average American to find the real
causes that have led to this struggle of nations, as they lie solely in
the conditions and latest developments of the political life of Middle
Europe generally, and Germany and Austria particularly.
In order to ascertain the real cause it will be necessary for me to
explain the policy of the above-named two Governments on one side and
the evolution of the character of the German Nation on the other side.
In glancing at the map of Germany, and particularly her frontiers and
geographical position, she being wedged in between two powerful
neighbors, Russia in the east and France backed up by England in the
west, it is apparent that her situation is very delicate, owing to the
lack of marked natural boundaries.
Tremendous military power and highly developed diplomatic ability are
the two necessary elements to create friendly relations with her
neighbors. After the creation of the great German Empire in 1870, Prince
Bismarck succeeded in establishing and maintaining for Germany friendly
relations with the other great powers. It was his policy to acquire
colonies for Germany outside of Europe, and to carefully avoid any
territorial encroachments on the neighboring States. He sounded his
warning to his countrymen not to try to increase German territory at
the expense of Russian territory.
Germany's colonial acquisitions created a new era in her policy, and, if
I may be permitted to so express myself, changed completely the face of
the German Empire. The protection and development of her colonial
possessions and her commerce required a strong navy. England's
competition of the commerce controlled by Germany started the tremendous
growth of England's naval power, and gave Germany second place. Her
rivalry with England compelled Germany to increase her army, too, and we
observed how from a quiet, inoffensive, modest State Germany gradually
became very strong and endeavored to play the first violin in the
concert not only of all Europe, but also of the whole world. Such seems
to be the fate of all nations that acquire sudden power--they get
conceited and aggressive.
The political events of the last ten years prove sufficiently the
aggressiveness of the German policy--the events at Agadir, the
annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria, the ultimatum sent by
the latter to Servia are only passing instances in the growing conceit
of the German policy. It should be remembered that in March, 1909,
Chancellor von Bülow announced to the German Reichstag that Germany
would support Austria in her annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by
force, even if the whole of Europe were to oppose it.
Europe at that time did not oppose the Germans, but it seems to me that
just then Europe began to realize how dangerous and unsafe it was to
have in the heart of that Continent a power with such bellicose and
driving intentions. Her political acts were too uncanny and alarmed the
whole of Europe, which began to seek ways and means to get rid of this
German hegemony, coupled with its rough militarism and unscrupulous ways
of acting.
The military and economical developments of Germany induced her to go
further in her tendency to enlarge her territory. Emperor William feels
that his empire is not big enough to suit his ambition and for the part
which he intends to play in Europe. He therefore endeavors to enter into
an agreement with the heir of the Austrian throne, Franz Ferdinand, a
man of great energy and wide political views, to the effect to mold out
of Austria an exclusive Slavish power and to surrender to Germany the
Archduchy of Austria with Vienna and Tyrol, and annex Servia to Austria.
Franz Ferdinand could afford to agree to this plan most readily, because
he knew that Austria in her present state could not continue her
existence, as she was on the brink of an insurrection of 25,000,000
Austrian Slavs against the continuance of a Government over them of
9,000,000 Austrian Germans. There is no doubt that this question was
fully discussed at the conference at Konopish, where the German Emperor,
accompanied by Admiral von Tirpitz, went to pay a visit to Franz
Ferdinand one month before the latter was assassinated.
The tragedy of Serajevo found Germany after a course of action already
had been agreed upon, and the sending of the ultimatum by Austria to
Servia can be explained only by the desire of the two nations to fully
complete their preparations.
Now, why do we find at this important moment of the world's history such
opposition not only against Germany but also an upheaval of other
nations?
The German press of the United States endeavors to prove that the
underlying reason for the struggle is the eventual triumph in Europe
either of Teutonic or Slavish civilization, and denounces Russian
barbarism and extols German culture.
I will not discuss the respective merits of Teutonic and Slavic culture
and civilization, as in my opinion these are questions absolutely
foreign to the events leading up to the war. The Russian, French,
English, and Servian nations are not fighting against German culture,
as represented by intellectual giants, such as Goethe, Wagner, and many
others, but against German militarism, accompanied by systematic
oppression of the individual residing in German territory.
This internal German policy created a national spirit against which the
Allies now are fighting--the national spirit of Germany, which the whole
world knows, and which is rough, conceited, arrogant, and intolerant
toward foreigners beyond all measures, and admits nothing good unless it
is German or made in Germany. This kind of German national spirit is in
the majority in the empire of Germany and particularly in Prussia; the
real cultured, good-hearted, sentimental German is about to die out
completely, and the few remaining representatives of this type have no
voice in Germany.
The pronounced antipathy to the above-described present majority type of
Germans united all European nations against Germany, and supports their
respective Governments in their efforts to put a stop to the furor
teutonicus of the twentieth century.
For this reason the task of the allied Governments will find unlimited
support of the nations and this war against Germany in Europe will prove
to be most popular.
* * * * *