_To the Universities of America:_
In a time when half of the world falls upon Germany full of hatred and
envy, we Germans derive great benefit from the idea of our being sure of
the friendly feeling of the American universities. If from any quarter
in the world, it must be from them that we expect the right
comprehension of the present situation and present attitude of Germany.
Numerous American scholars who received their scientific training at our
universities have convinced themselves of the quality and the peaceful
tendency of German work, the exchange of scientists has proved of
deepening influence on the mutual understanding, the lasting intercourse
of scholarly research gives us the feeling of being members of one great
community. This is why we entertain the hope that the scientific
circles of America will not give credit to the libels our enemies
propagate against us.
These libels, above all, accuse Germany of having brought about the
present war, she being responsible for the monstrous struggle which is
extending more and more over the whole world. The truth points to the
contrary. Our foes have disturbed us in our peaceful work, forcing the
war upon us very much against our desire. We are at a righteous war for
the preservation of our existence and at the same time of sacred goods
of humanity. The murder of Serajevo was not our work; it was the outcome
of a widely extending conspiracy pointing back to Servia, where for many
years already a passionate agitation against Austria had been carried
on, supported by Russia. It was Russia, therefore, that took the
assassins under her wings, and some weeks already before the war broke
out she promised her assistance to that blood-stained State. Nobody but
Russia has given the dangerous turn to the conflict; nobody but Russia
is to blame for the outbreak of the war. The German Emperor, who has
proved his love of peace by a peaceful reign of more than twenty-five
years, in face of the imminent danger, tried to intermediate between
Austria and Russia with the greatest zeal, but while he was negotiating
with the Czar Russia was busy with the mobilization of a large army
toward the German frontier. This necessitated an open and decisive
inquiry that led to the war. This only happened because Russia wanted it
so, because she wanted to raise the Muscovites against the Germans and
the Western Slavs and to lead Asia into the field against Europe.
France, too, might have kept the peace, the decision resting solely with
her. The security of Germany demanded that she should inquire what
France would do in the impending war; the answer of France unmistakably
betrayed her intention to join in the war. As a matter of fact, it was
not Germany but France who commenced the war.
England already before the war stood in close relations to France. From
the very beginning she has clearly shown that she by no means wanted to
keep absolutely neutral. From the very beginning she made endeavors to
protect France against Germany. Undoubtedly the German invasion in
Belgium served England as a welcome pretext to openly declare her
hostility. In reality, before the German invasion, already the
neutrality of Belgium had been given up in favor of the French. It has
been officially stated, e.g., that not only before but also after the
outbreak of the war French officers have been at Liège in order to
instruct the Belgian soldiers as to the fortification service. England's
complaints of the violation of international law, however, are the most
atrocious hypocrisy and the vilest Pharisaism. At all times English
politics have unscrupulously disregarded all forms of law as soon as
their own interest was touched. During the last few weeks the same
method has been quite sufficiently manifested in the unlawful capture of
the Turkish warships, and still more so in the instigation of the
Japanese to undertake the detestable raid upon the German territory in
China, which needs must end in strengthening the power of that Mongolian
nation at the costs of Europeans and Americans.
How it is possible for a nation that in such a way has betrayed precious
interests of Western culture as soon as it seems to benefit them, how is
it possible for these accomplices of the Japanese robbery to put on the
air of being the guardians of morality?
We Germans did not want this war, but as it has been forced upon us we
shall carry it on bravely and vigorously. In the face of all envy and
hatred, all brutality and hypocrisy, Germany feels unshakably conscious
of serving a righteous cause and of standing up for the preservation of
her national self as well as for sacred goods of humanity; indeed, for
the very progress of true culture. It is from this conviction that she
draws her unrelenting force and the absolute certainty that she will
beat back the assault of all her enemies. This conviction does not stand
in need of any encouragement from abroad; our country absolutely relies
upon itself and confides in the strength of its right.
Nevertheless, the idea of our American friends' thoughts and sympathies
being with us gives us a strong feeling of comfort in this gigantic
struggle. We both of us feel especially justified in pronouncing this as
being the conviction of all German scientists, as so many scientific and
personal relations connect us both with the universities of America.
These universities know what German culture means to the world, so we
trust they will stand by Germany.