in the war. Many of these are volunteers. Those who are too old for
active service are doing their duty in hospitals or in the Red Cross
field. But many who could do this lighter work are fighting in their
regiments. As one well-known German physician said to me, "No, indeed, I
want to go with my regiment. When my country is at peace I am willing to
look after the sick, but now it is time for me to fight. I wish it were
today, for two days seems like two months when a man is ready to go."
I saw another physician work all day until nine o'clock in the evening;
though he had received his commission at seven, he continued his work as
though nothing had happened. Then he gathered a small package of papers
which probably contained important letters and money, which he handed
over to the physician in the institute. He then hurried to his room and
put on his military clothes--they were those of a third-class military
officer. The change in costume seemed to make a different man of him. He
was no longer a physician but a war hero. He bade each one goodbye in
turn, even to the scrub-women, saying he hoped that they would all meet
again next year, and then he hurried to his room to get a few hours of
sleep as he had to leave at five next morning. The only care he had on
his breast was what would become of his mother--a dear old lady of
seventy, whom he loved very much--if anything should happen to him.
One day while walking across the country road, I stepped up to a farmer
and said: "When do you go to the war?"
"Next week," came the blunt reply.
"And who will do your work while you are gone?"
"What's a buxom wife and four sturdy children good for if they can't do
a man's work when he is off at war?"
The same readiness to go before they were called was as paramount among
university students as it was among the farmers and merchants. A corps
of young Heidelberg students offered themselves and asked that they be
taken in one regiment. This wish was sent to the Emperor and was granted
them. Even the younger students were too much fired by the desire to
help to stay at home. One day I came across a young boy seventeen years
old, hurrying with full might to get to Kiel, where he had an
appointment on a naval boat. He was a handsome, sturdy lad of fine
feeling, but he felt it was necessary to fight, and if need be to die
for his country. He explained that he was the only son of a widowed
mother, but even his great love for her could not check him.
Even the younger boys ranging from the age of fourteen to sixteen felt
that they were shirking their duty because they could not go. I heard
one young boy say to his grandmother, "Isn't it too bad I am only
fourteen; if I were only two years older I might do something for my
country."
"Be patient, and your turn will come," said the old lady,
good-naturedly.
This eagerness to go was a great aid in hurrying the mobilization.
Hundreds of officers who were off on their summer vacation hurried back
without an instant's delay. In all the cities, and even in the small
towns and villages, the commons and kurgartens were turned into
training-grounds for the reservists, and meeting-places for those
enlisted.
Though I saw more than fifty thousand men called out in one Bavarian
center, in two weeks' time every man was there to take the oath and to
get his military clothes at the very minute appointed. As they donned
their blue military uniform, they had no idea that another special suit
was awaiting them when they should get into active service.
There were hundreds of thousands of earth-colored uniforms kept in
reserve that no one knew anything about, except the ministry and the
highest German officials. There was no disorder, no wasting of time, no
asking of foolish questions--every man was a unit in a great whole. From
a common soldier to the highest officer, they were ready to do their
work intelligently and enthusiastically. The only emotion they showed
was an impatient enthusiasm to get across the German frontier and into
active service as soon as possible. They knew that this war was to be
one of life and death and a fight to the finish, but all fear was
forgotten in a hope of being able to do something for their country.
They often explained the situation by drawing two circles, one within
the other--one very large, and one extremely small--as they said, "When
you come again Germany is bound to look like one of these circles."
When the mobilization was ordered, every farmer brought his horses to
the town, where they were inspected. The horses found strong enough for
battle were taken, and the others were sent back to the farm. The same
thing happened to the automobiles--they were taken without a word of
notice--the government kept those that they wanted and returned the
others.
Though hurrahs, songs and laughter mingled with the tramp of feet as
fifty thousand soldiers formed in line and hurried to the front, this
was only a small part of a great picture. All day long in Berlin we saw
officers flying along in automobiles hurrying to the ministry of war to
get their instructions, and then hastening off to the front. They all
seemed ready and self-reliant.
The nights were not wasted in Berlin, where they were used for
manoeuvres to try out the forty or more Zeppelins which Germany owns.
Even the passenger Zeppelins, known to many Americans for the trips they
made through the Black forest, have been turned into war dirigibles.
Count Zeppelin himself had offered his personal services to take charge
of his invention. It was said new factories were being opened to turn
out two new air-crafts each month. Though the Krupp works at Essen had
been working right along making new siege-guns and special bombs for
Germany, it was said that the factory had put on a large force of men
who were working night and day to make an added supply of ammunition. On
my way from Bavaria to Prussia I saw a number of automobiles flying
across the country carrying their officers to the front. Now and then a
Zeppelin flew overhead practicing before it should venture into France
or Russia.
Most interesting of all were the military trains, forty-two in number,
packed with soldiers and their officers. Though some of them were wedged
so tight they had little moving space, they laughed, smoked, and waved
good-naturedly as they were being hurried across the frontier.
I saw many regiments hurried, at meal-time, into depots. They were led
across into open fields where large, wooden houses with many wooden
benches had been erected. The work was being done under contract, and in
this way thousands of soldiers were fed in a short time.
The baggage cars were crowded with cavalrymen and their horses. Though
their horses and the straw in the car were immaculately clean, these
soldiers were less well off than the infantrymen in the third-class
coupés, for it seemed to me that the horses were getting more than their
share of the room.
Besides these regular coupés, there were many freight cars which carried
all kinds of canned goods and other provisions. Others carried a great
number of small collapsible boats, which are used as pontoons in
crossing rivers. More interesting than all this were the cannons. Some
of these were the common cannons, while now and then loomed a great
siege-gun.
I was told that the cannon-balls, bombs and other explosives were
carried into the country at night, as they did not want to take any
chance of igniting and killing the soldiers.
Besides those designed for active warfare, many were used to carry
messages over the battlefields and for the Red Cross service. I saw
dozens and dozens of handsome automobiles lined up on these car-trucks
carrying messengers and doctors across the frontier.
But German mobilization means every precaution possible for their
country as well as foreign aggression. Now and then I passed gangs of
workmen making ditches and trenches, repairing railroad tracks and
laying new ones. Every station was guarded by one or more sentries,
according to its size. They kept their eyes on every passenger who went
in and out of the station, and when they were the least bit doubtful
they asked for one's passport on short notice. I shall never forget a
picture of the morning I breakfasted at six o'clock in Erfurt. I and
some friends were just seated at table when a sentry approached us and
asked for our passports. He scrutinized each one carefully, and when he
was satisfied we were not spies he left us and approached a group of
Russians. They looked as exhausted as they were frightened as they
explained they had gotten permission to go home. When they reached the
frontier they were told they could not go across, and they found so many
of their countrymen on the border that there was not half room enough
for them, and they were on their way back.
Everywhere there were vigilant watchers looking for spies. Some were so
alert that they tried to make Russians out of harmless American
refugees, while others went so far as to accuse them of being spies. I
myself was sometimes accused of being a Russian, and had hard work to
prove my identity. Those Americans who had the daring to venture out in
their automobiles got the worst of it. The soldiers on watch thought
nothing of shooting at their cars and taking the innocent occupants
prisoners. A gentleman and his wife who went from Baden-Baden in the
Black Forest to Bad Kissingen were shot at and arrested five times
before they got there. Word was brought to the village that some French
spies were coming and that they should wait for them. The mob was there
to greet them with pitchforks and axes, and when they saw the French car
the peasants were sure that these were the people they were after.
The case became more complicated, as none of the party, including the
chauffeur, could speak German, and only understood their
gesticulations--not their threats and volleys. They were only saved from
being shot by the appearance of two officers who, after examining their
pockets carefully, found some American papers and letters. Still, these
officers did not wish to rely on their own judgment, and so they took
their prisoners to the burgomeister. He explained that he could not give
any opinion until he took their films from their kodak and had them
developed. Their innocence rested on the kind of pictures they had
taken. As the woman told her story, she said, "It was only a miracle
that her husband hadn't taken pictures of soldiers, as that was his
favorite kind of photography."
Next day the burgomeister returned the kodak and the developed films,
explaining he was sorry he had detained them, and he did not see any
reason why they should not go on. So he sent the soldier who had been
guarding them day and night to act as their protector.
They had only gone a short way when they were arrested in another town,
and they had to go through another trial to prove their innocence. They
said that their experience in being arrested was becoming commonplace by
the time they reached their destination. Some of these guards were so
vigilant that they lost their heads completely and accused innocent
women of all ages as spies.
I was traveling on a train one day when I heard a terrible noise in a
neighboring coupé. Word had been telegraphed that there was a Russian
spy dressed as a German officer. In his coupé there sat an American man
and his wife and a German friend, and they were accused of being his
accomplices. Some of the mob boarded the train, leveled revolvers in
their faces, and were ready to drag them all off, when they were stopped
by some higher officials. After half an hour's questioning and searching
of pockets, the Americans were let go, and the foreigner was taken off
and shot as a spy.
Vigilant as were the officials about catching every spy, they were
equally anxious to protect the lives of every innocent man and woman,
especially the Americans. At night our trains were never allowed to
start off until the rails had been carefully inspected, to see that
there were no bombs on the track, and not the smallest bridge was left
unguarded.
After the regular army was called out, there was a lull for ten days,
and then came the starting of the Landsturm. These included the young
boys and those ordinarily considered too old for active service. Some of
these were sent right to the front, and others were put into six weeks'
training ready to fill in the gaps when they should be needed.
There is no feeling of rivalry in the Germany army, for every man feels
he has a post to fill and that he can do a small part in winning a real
victory. As they love to explain, every man is equal on the battlefield,
whether he be a prince or only a poor peasant boy, whether he be a
general or a common soldier; as they march on to death or victory day
after day, and week after week, they are inspired by the words: "Unser
Gott, unser Vaterland, und unser Kaiser"--"Our God, our Fatherland, and
our Emperor."
It was this inspiration that made the Reichstadt vote ninety million
dollars at once. It was that which called the socialist party along with
the democrats to arms. It was that which made the Emperor tell his
people: "I forgive everything--we are all Germans." It has been this
inspiration that changed small petty states into a large imperial
government. It was this inspiration that changed a strong German horde
into a people that loved culture, art and education. It was their
patriotism that made them brandish the sword in one hand because they
feared their enemies and still kept their other hand and brain free to
work for social uplift. They have created cities of which they may well
be proud, adorned with beautiful theatres, opera-houses, parks, statues
and public gardens. Patriotism was the fount at which they drank, and it
has created such master minds as Goethe, Schiller, Wagner and Gerard
Hauptmann.
I believe that a nation that loves home and fireside and romance as much
as do the Germans energized a great standing army for protection and not
for war. I believe that their methods may have been wrong, but that
their heart was right; for a nation that has faith in God, in their
ruler, and in their country, a nation that spends its energy for music
and beauty, may be misunderstood, but such a people cannot hate their
fellow-men.
THE PRICE OF WAR AND THE PRICE OF PEACE
When word was given that the German Empire had declared war, it was
known that she had nine hundred thousand men at a cost of two hundred
and fifty million dollars on hand. But the mobilization of her several
million troops at the end of the first week increased the cost to many
times that amount. This did not frighten her, as her chest at Spandau
had been swelled from thirty millions to ninety millions. This was
enough to last for three months. When it was found out the other day
that the war would last for some months longer, the National Bank of
Germany, along with many other German banks, raised enough money on
bonds to keep Germany going until after Christmas, without making a war
loan, though the cost to France and England is somewhat less
individually, still it amounts to nearly the same when the two countries
are taken together. A conservative cost of the war per day is fifteen
millions, of which Germany is said to spent eight millions.
Paul Leroy-Beaulieu, the French economist, estimates that each of the
greater belligerents is spending an average equivalent to $200,000,000
monthly.
In presenting these figures to the Academy of Moral and Political
Sciences today (October 17th), he said that he considered it probable
that the war would continue for seven months from August 1st.
Accordingly, the five greater powers engaged were committed to an
expenditure of $7,000,000,000. Each of the smaller states, including
Japan, will have expenses of from $600,000,000 to $800,000,000 to meet.
"One might say that the war will cost the fighting powers roughly from
$9,000,000,000 to $10,000,000,000," M. Leroy-Beaulieu continued. "These
figures, which do not take into account the losses of revenue during
hostilities, will be met.
"The larger part of the savings of the world will be absorbed by the
taking up of national loans, and economic progress will be seriously
checked."
These figures are only a small part of the entire cost. It is not
unusual to read of thirty to fifty thousand men being slaughtered in one
great engagement, and about the same number being taken prisoners.
Germany has in three months already put more than three millions into
actual combat, with a reserve of two millions, and she can raise ten
millions if necessary. On the other hand, the allies say if Paris is
lost it must be retaken; if one million of allied reinforcements are
not enough to accomplish it, there will be two millions and three
millions.
These numbers represent the flower of European civilization, for only
the sane and healthy are valued in war. These men include hundreds of
the ablest scientists from the Pasteur Institute in Paris, from the
private and government laboratories in Berlin, Frankfurt and Freiburg.
Along with these are the great professors of all the sciences and the
liberal arts, many of whom are world-renowned in the great universities
of Europe. Included in this magnificent rank and file are the painters,
sculptors, musicians, along with the celebrated architects. These men
rise to the tens and hundred thousands, and every time one of these men
goes down we are reminded of the fact that he may never be replaced, and
it will take many centuries to give back a little of the culture and
genius they represent.
But the backbone of a nation is its agricultural force. The German
farmers and foresters are a pride to their nation. Nearly every one of
these has been called or volunteered in the ranks and files, and already
many thousands have been food for the cannon and guns. Their wives and
children are trying hard to do their part to replace the work, but all
they can give is a feeble effort.
The same is true of France, which has the richest fields in the world.
Most of the soil yields two harvests. These farmers take wonderful pride
in their farms and truck-gardens, and when the great painters, Millet
and Corot, dedicated their genius, they found worthy subjects for their
brush. I have traveled through miles of this farmland in France, and its
beauty was a splendid poem of what God had helped man to do. Much of the
rich vineyard and champagne country has been destroyed by war and
neglect, and it will take years of hard toil before it can be repaired.
When this war was less than two months old, whole towns, such as
Louvain, Bruges and Rheims had been laid in waste. This destruction has
meant the loss of thousands of homes, public buildings, churches and
cathedrals, and priceless works of art.
It has also meant the destruction of many miles of railroad, river and
ocean transportation, and the closing of thousands of factories.
It has called forth a sudden demand for certain quantities of
ammunition, horses, wagons, hospital supplies, fuel, food and clothing,
with a great increase in prices on these products.
Credit, which has been the natural and easiest way to carry on business
between individuals and nations, has been put at naught. As a result,
paper and silver have depreciated in value, and people begin to want
gold, for in war gold is the only medium of exchange one can be sure of.
Unfortunately, at the present time, there is not enough gold to do the
world's business, and owners of securities, day after day, have been
trying to sell their stocks and bonds for gold.
In many countries the governments have had to declare moratorium, which
means that none need pay their rent and debts until further notice.
The world's trade has been paralyzed; as a result, most of the stock
exchanges of the world have had to shut down. The New York Stock
Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade are included in this number,
because if they kept open the foreign countries would exchange their
shares and bonds for gold, and much of our gold would be carried to the
other side.
Because of our added diplomatic responsibilities abroad, we have had to
raise one million dollars, and also two and a half millions for the
Americans stranded on the other side. Many of our factories have closed
because they dealt in a heavy export trade and for which at present
there is no demand. Most noticeable in these trades are the manufactures
of cotton, of metal, agricultural and other machinery, copper and
lubricating oils. Many others of our industries are without the goods
which they import from abroad, including silks, wines, hides and skins,
dyes, nitrate of soda, china, etc.
This war has been such a jar to industrial conditions that many
manufacturers are reducing their daily output considerably, while others
who have a capital are afraid to invest, and are hoarding it in the
banks.
Though it is impossible to say how long this war will last, one thing is
sure, the loss to trades the world over is great and will increase as
time goes on. Worse still than the loss of trade and productive labor is
the fact that actual capital is being destroyed, being really burned up.
When the war is over there will be an enormous war debt to pay, and the
loans on money will be high. This destruction of wealth and property
means that many of the countries of the world will be poor for fifty
years at least, and the value of railroad and other stocks in America
and Europe will depreciate.
When the men of the world return to work, there will be a great fall in
prices because of the greater amount of productive work, and it may
result in a fall, at least a temporary fall in wages, though wages will
increase after things are once more established. This war may be a boon
to the financial and industrial life of our country and give us many new
marts of trade in commerce, but while the war lasts it will mean
financial strain and hard times in many industries. It certainly will
cripple European life, civilization and culture for fifty years.