II
GERMAN AMBITIONSToC
Expansion in Europe.
(Before the War.)
192. Germany cannot be suspected of wishing for war.... She covets no possession of her neighbours. Any one who says that she does, slanders her.—Manifesto of the German Defence League, March, 1913. Nippold, D.C., p. 85.
192a. A developing, onward-striving people like ourselves requires new land for its energies, and if peace will not secure it, then only war remains. To arouse people to a realization of this fact was the mission of the Defence League.—General v. Wrochem, at meeting of German Defence League, Danzig, March, 1913. Nippold, D.C., p. 84.
192b. It is precisely our craving for expansion that drives us into the paths of conquest, and in view of which all chatter about peace and humanity can and must remain nothing but chatter.—J.L. Reimer, E.P.D., p. 154.
193. A new period of progress towards unification is possible only by means of a great and courageous policy, which should lead to victorious wars, and if possible to the territorial expansion of the Empire.—D.B.B., p. 202.
194. All the policy, internal and external, of the Empire ought to be subordinated to this governing idea—the Germanization of all the remains of foreign populations within the Empire, and the procuring for the German people of new territories, proportionate to its strength and its need of expansion.—Prof. E. Hasse, B.D.V., p. 126.
195. Our frontiers are too narrow. We must become land-hungry, must acquire new regions for settlement, otherwise we will be a sinking people, a stunted race. True love for our people and its children commands us to think of their future, however much they may accuse us of quarrelsomeness and lust of war. If the Germanic people shrank from war it would be as good as dead.—Baron v. Vietinghoff-Scheel, at meeting of Pan-German League, Erfurt, September, 1912. Nippold, D.C., p. 72.
196. Let us bravely organize great forced migrations of the inferior peoples. Posterity will be grateful to us. We must coerce them! This is one of the tasks of war: the means must be superiority of armed force. Superficially such forced migrations, and the penning up of inconvenient peoples in narrow "reserves," may appear hard; but it is the only solution of the race-question that is worthy of humanity.... Thus alone can the over-population of the earth be controlled: the efficient peoples must secure themselves elbow-room by means of war, and the inefficient must be hemmed in, and at last driven into "reserves" where they have no room to grow ... and where, discouraged and rendered indifferent to the future by the spectacle of the superior energy of their conquerors, they may crawl slowly towards the peaceful death of weary and hopeless senility.[22]—K. Wagner, K., p. 170.
197. We desire, and must desire ... a world-empire of Teutonic (germanisch) stock, under the hegemony of the German people. In order to secure this we must—
(a) Gradually Germanize the Scandinavian and Dutch Teutonic States, denationalizing them in the weaker signification of the term;[23]
(b) Break up the predominantly un-Teutonic peoples into their component parts, in order to take to ourselves the Teutonic element and Germanize it, while we reject the un-Teutonic element.
—J.L. Reimer, E.P.D., p. 137.197a. Such false ideas as to nationality, speech and race are now prevalent ... that it is often maintained that no breaking-up of nations would be necessary, but that a "Germanization" in the mass of the nations in question [Germany's smaller neighbours] would be sufficient.—J.L. Reimer, E.P.D., p. 130.
198. We are indubitably the most martial nation in the world.... We are the most gifted of nations in all the domains of science and art. We are the best colonists, the best sailors, and even the best traders! And yet we have not up to now secured our due share in the heritage of the world.... That the German Empire is not the end but the beginning of our national development is an obvious truth.—F. Bley, W.D., pp. 21-22.
199. We must create a Central Europe which will guarantee the peace of the entire continent from the moment when it shall have driven the Russians from the Black Sea and the Slavs from the south, and shall have conquered large tracts to the east of our frontiers for German colonization. We cannot let loose ex abrupto the war which will create this Central Europe. All we can do is to accustom our people to the thought that this war must come.—P. de Lagarde, D.S., p. 83.
200. Before seeking to found a Greater Germany in other continents, we must create a Greater Germany in Central Europe.... In seeking to colonize the countries immediately contiguous to our present patrimony, we are continuing the millenary work of our ancestors. There is nothing in this contrary to nature.—Prof. E. Hasse, D.G., p. 168.
200a. Every great people needs new territory; it must expand over foreign soil; it must expel the foreigners by the power of the sword.—K. Wagner, K., p. 80.
201. For this evil [the emigration of the surplus population] we see only one remedy: the extension of our frontiers in Europe.... We must make room for an Empire of Germanic race which shall number 100,000,000 inhabitants, in order that we may hold our own against masses such as those of Russia and the United States.—D.B.B., p. 115.
202. [In the Great-German Confederation which will comprise most of Europe] the Germans, being alone entitled to exercise political rights, to serve in the Army and Navy, and to acquire landed property, will recover the feeling they had in the Middle Ages of being a people of masters. They will gladly tolerate the foreigners living among them, to whom inferior manual services will be entrusted.—G.U.M., p. 47.
203. The principles which must guide the German people in the establishment of the new Germanic world-empire are these:—
(1) The strengthening of its Germanic race-foundation.
(2) The securing of room for its surplus of births.
(3) The greatest possible expansion of this surplus over a portion of the earth which shall be sufficiently large, various and geographically well-situated to form an economic unit.
—J.L. Reimer, E.P.D., p. 135.
204. Our own social health, towards which, in the name of our moral ideals, we are now striving, may one day compel us to force upon other nations the benefits of the new economic forms.—F. Lange, R.D., p. 160 (1893).
205. One thing alone can really profit the German people: the acquisition of new territory. That is the only solid and durable gain ... that alone can really promote the diffusion, the growth and the deepening of Germanism.—A. Wirth, O.U.W., p. 56.
206. Excessive modesty and humility, rather than excessive arrogance and ambition, is a feature of the German character. Therefore we shall know how to set a limit to our desire for expansion, and shall escape the dangers which have been fatal to all conquerors whose ambition was unbridled.—Prof. E. Hasse, W.I.K., p. 63.206a. The territory open to future German expansion ... must extend from the North Sea and the Baltic, to the Persian Gulf, absorbing the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Switzerland, the whole basin of the Danube, the Balkan Peninsula and Asia Minor.—Prof. E. Hasse, W.I.K., p. 65.
206b. Nowhere in the world is there so much declamation about Chauvinism as in Germany, and nowhere is so little of it to be found. We hesitate to express even the most natural demands that a nation can make for itself.—H. v. Treitschke, P., Vol. i.
207. When one wishes a thing, one must effectually will it. Our sense of justice [!] may in future lead us not to desire what does not belong to us, but if we take we must also hold fast. In other words, hitherto foreign territory is not incorporated into Germany until German proprietorship is rooted in the soil.[24]—F. Lange, R.D., p. 206 (1893).208. A people that has increased so much as the German people is forced to carry on a constant policy of expansion. It must be candidly confessed that since the retirement of Bismarck the Will to Power had been lacking.—General v. Liebert, Member of the Reichstag, at meeting of Pan-German League, Hamburg, January, 1913. Nippold, D.C., p. 76.
209. Since the Western Powers restrict our right to life, it is necessary that we should attach one of them to us or that we should sweep them out of our way by force.—M. Harden, Zukunft, 12th August, 1911.
210. The Rhine ... is a priceless natural possession, although by our own fault we have allowed its most material value to fall into alien hands, and it must be the unceasing endeavour of German policy to win back the mouths of the river.—H. v. Treitschke, P., Vol. i., p. 125.
211. The Jablunka must never hear any language but German, and the [German] wave must spread thence towards the south until nothing remains of all the lamentable nationalities of the Imperial State [Austria].—P. de Lagarde, D.S., p. 112.
212. If our area of colonization[25] does not coincide with our political boundaries, the healthy egoism of our race commands us to place our frontier-posts in foreign territory, as we have done at Metz.—Prof. E. Hasse, D.G., p. 166.
213. A sturdy German egoism must characterize all political action.... The first principle of our policy, both at home and abroad, must be that, in everything that happens, the Germans [literally, the most German] should come off best, and the others should have a bad time of it (sich unbehaglich fÜhlen).—F. Lange, R.D., p. 213 (1893).
213a. A Ministry of Colonization must make up for lost time. With all prudence, but also with inflexible determination, a process of expropriation should be inaugurated, by which the Poles and the Alsatians and Lorrainers would be gradually transported to the interior of the Empire, while Germans would replace them on the frontier.—F. Lange, R.D., p. 206.
Expansion beyond Europe.
214. We must ... see to it that the outcome of our next successful war must be the acquisition of colonies by any possible means.—H.V. Treitschke, P., Vol. i., p. 119.
215. A German policy of expansion is to-day generally accepted. The Empire must acquire more colonies.—Dr. Pohl, of Berlin, at meeting of Pan-German League, Augsburg, September, 1912. Nippold, D.C., p. 72.
216. In all lands under German influence a double power is more or less strongly at work: the creative power of the spirit ... and the creative power of the body, that is to say, fecundity.... Whither our spiritual and our bodily fecundity impel us, thither we must go—out over the world! (hin Über die Welt!).—J.L. Reimer, E.P.D., p. 66.217. The longing for an eternal peace was Utopian and enervating.... Nor was there any lack of a great national aim. At the division of the earth between the other Great Powers, Germany had gone almost empty away. But Germany needed new regions for the planting-out of its ever-growing, inexhaustible wealth of people.—General v. Wrochem, at meeting of the German Defence League, Hanover, February, 1913. Nippold, D.C., p. 83.
218. With all respect to the rights of foreign nations, it must be said that Germany has not as yet the colonies which it must have.... Our development demands recognition. That is a natural right. There is here no question of prestige-politics, of adventurer-politics. Further, we are not an institute for lengthening the life of dying States.... Those half-States which owe their existence only to the aid of foreign weapons, money or knowledge, are hopelessly at the mercy of the modern States.—Leipziger Tageblatt, 24th January, 1913. Nippold, D.C., p. 51.219. The Ministry of Colonization must also arrange systematically for emigration to foreign countries.... The Government alone can, by the uncompromising (rÜcksichtslos) employment of its methods of power, conclude treaties ... imposing on [the foreign countries] the conditions which it regards as desirable.—F. Lange, R.D., p. 207 (1893).
220. In this nineteenth century, when Germany has become the first Power in the world, are we incapable of doing what our ancestors did? Germany must lay her mighty grasp upon Asia Minor.—Amicus PatriÆ, A.U.K., p. 15.
221. The hostile arrogance of the Western Powers releases us from all our treaty obligations, throws open the doors of our verbal prison-house, and forces the German Empire, resolutely defending her vital rights, to revive the ancient Prussian policy of conquest. All Morocco in the hands of Germany; German cannon on the routes to Egypt and India; German troops on the Algerian frontier; this would be a goal worthy of great sacrifices.—M. Harden, Zukunft, 29th July, 1911.
222. If we do not soon acquire new territory, a frightful catastrophe is inevitable. It signifies little whether it be in Brazil, in Siberia, in Anatolia or in South Africa.... To-day, as 2,000 years ago, when the Cimbri and the Teutons beat at the gates of Rome, a cry arises ... ever louder and louder, "Give us land, give us new land!"—A. Wirth, V.U.W., p. 227.
223. Thanks to our youthfulness and our capacity of development, thanks also to our military power, many things are possible: we can create a German nation which shall number 100,000,000 inhabitants, we can become "Europe," and dominate the seas into the bargain.—D.B.B., p. 211.
223a. This Germany of ours was once the greatest of the Sea Powers, and, God willing, so she will be again.—H. v. Treitschke, P., Vol. i., p. 213.
224. "Civis Germanicus sum—ich bin ein Deutscher!" As the free Roman, in his character of Civis Romanus, formerly ruled the world, so must every continental German of to-day, and of the future, rule the world in his character of Civis Germanicus.—J.L. Reimer, E.P.D., p. 146.
Weltmacht (World-Dominion).
(After July, 1914.)
225. We want no world-dominion.... It is unjust, and therefore un-German.—Prof. W. v. Blume, D.D.M., p. 23.
225a. Germany, as the preponderant Power in a Great-German League, will with this war attain world-supremacy.—R. Theuden, W.M.K.B., p. 13.
226. We want no hegemony, no world-dominion! Such ambitions mean everlasting war; whereas Germany sincerely desires peace, and the influence which shall enable her to establish it.—Prof. Dr. R. Jannasch, W.D.U.S., p. 22.
226a. Formerly German thought was shut up in her corner, but now the world shall have its coat cut according to German measure, and as far as our swords flash and German blood flows, the circle of the earth shall come under the tutelage of German activity.—"World-Germany," by F. Philippi, quoted in H.A.H., p. 43.
227. We were contented within our boundaries. Not a single foot did we want of the countries adjoining our frontiers. Prof. U. v. Wilamowitz-MÖllendorf, R., pt. i., p. II.
227a. Before everything, however, we must see to the provision of agricultural land! We require more soil for settlement.... And we require unsettled land for settlement. No alien fellow-citizens!—Prof. M. v. Gruber, D.R.S.Z., No. 30, p. 27.
228. With us shall right and morality, truth and faithfulness, win the fight against wrong and baseness, malice and falsehood. Through our supremacy (Vorherrschaft), which we hope will be the outward result of this war, God will establish His dominion over the many-coloured throng of the nations who stand against us.—"War Devotions," by Pastor J. Rump, quoted in H.A.H., p. 128.
229. Not through a chaotic conflict of ideas, but only through unity of conviction, can a world-ruling Germany arise; and if Germany does not rule the world (I do not mean through her power alone, but through her all-sided superiority and moral weight) then she will disappear from the map; it is a case of "Either—or."—H.S. Chamberlain, P.I., p. 39.
230. Not one of our Pan-German leaders, whose plans are to-day being realized on the battlefields, received honour or recognition at the hands of the German monarchs, for whose honour and glory we had suffered and fought.—K.A. Kuhn, W.U.W., p. 6.
231. If we set ourselves to multiply, as we did in the first five years of this century, then the German people would in 1950 number 118 millions, and in the year 2000, 250 millions. Then we could face the future with considerably more confidence.—Prof. M. v. Gruber, D.R.S.Z., No. 30, p. 25.232. Germany—of this I am convinced—may in less than two centuries succeed in dominating (beherrschen) the whole globe (Erdkugel), in part directly and politically, in part indirectly, through language, methods and Kultur, if only it can in time strike out a "new course," and definitely break with Anglo-American methods of government, and with the State-destroying ideals of the Revolution.—H.S. Chamberlain, P.I., p. 88.
233. If every representative, rising to the height of the great time in which he lives, will put away from him all pettiness of spirit ... we shall be an unconquerable people, capable of ruling the world.—C.L. Poehlmann, G.D.W., p. 11.
234. Where self-interest ends the real patriotism begins; and its measure is not the loud chest-note of conviction, but self-sacrificing, untiring work in the service of the community, in order gradually to win for the German nature (Wesen) the first place in the world.—Prof. G.E. Pazaurek, P.K.U.K., p. 5.235. Just such a systematic transformation of the world as Augustus effected, Germany must now undertake—but on how much nobler a plan!—H.S. Chamberlain, K.A., p. 42.
235a. Germany will be the schoolmaster of all the world, as every German has a bit of the schoolmaster in him.—Prof. W. v. Blume, D.D.M., p. 25.
Compare No. 82.
236. The war must last until we have forced disarmament upon our enemies. There is a nursery rhyme which runs thus:—
Knife and scissors, fork and candle,
Little children must not handle.
Since the enemy States behave so childishly as to misuse their arms, they must be placed under tutelage. Moreover, our enemies have acted so dishonourably that it is only just that rights of citizenship should be denied them.... When they can no longer bear arms, they cannot make any new disturbances.—O. Siemens, W.L.K.D., p. 47.237. We must establish ourselves firmly at Antwerp on the North Sea and at Riga on the Baltic.... At all events we must, at the conclusion of peace, demand substantial expansions of the German Empire. In this our motive will not be the greed and covetousness of world-ruling England, nor the national vanity of gloire-seeking France, nor the childish megalomania of Rome-mad Italy, nor the insatiable craving for expansion of semi-barbarous Russia.—Prof. E. Haeckel, E.W., p. 122.
238. We could not but say to ourselves, "If once it comes to war with England, it will be difficult for us to get at her in her island. It will be easier to strike at her in Egypt [which the writer elsewhere describes as the keystone of the arch of the British Empire]. But to that end we require an alliance with the Turks." ... Therefore Germany sent officers to instruct the Turkish Army, therefore the Emperor went in 1898 to Constantinople and Jerusalem and made his famous speech as to the friendship between Germany and the Mohammedans. Therefore we built the Bagdad Railway with German money.—P. Rohrbach, W.W.R., p. 12.
239. Noblesse oblige.... The idea that we are the chosen people imposes on us heavy duties, and duties only.... We are not out to conquer the world. Have no fear, my dear neighbours, we will not devour you.... Should it be necessary to increase our territory in order that the greater body of the people may have room to develop, then in that case we shall take as much land as may appear to be necessary. We will also plant our foot where it appears important on strategic grounds that we should do so, in order to maintain our impregnable strength. Thus, if our position of strength in the world will gain by it, we will establish stations for our fleet, for example, in Dover, Malta and Suez. Beyond this we will do nothing. We have not the least desire to expand, for we have something more important to do.—Prof. W. Sombart, H.U.H, p. 143.239a. We trust that the German Eagle, when with one wing he has scourged the barbarians back into Asia, and with the other has freed himself from unworthy chains, will soar high over the oceans ... where his wings can grow and he can stretch them according to his needs. And we hope that this strong, united, purified Germany will be a fountain of rejuvenescence to the ageing Kultur of Europe.—Prof. G. Roethe, D.R.S.Z., No. 1, p. 31.
See also Nos. 7, 84.
FOOTNOTES:
