1915-03-27 — Page 8

GERMANY'S BARBARIC

WAR GAME.

Kaiser's Pagan Methods.

Writing in the San Francisco Examiner Hilaire Balloo says

When the new German method of making wor was appreciated and known to be a reality there fed from bofore the advance of any German army great bodies of the civilian population.

German writers had long laid it down that in order to secure on invading army from molestation

THE

HONGKONG

is more like what the states of Anciant Greece wore a number of states claiming co-partnership.

Milklog Dry the Raider.

When one of these states so far

breaks the convention of all of them as to raid another and look

it, then there is a precedent dry when the time shall come. It established for milking the raider is a precedent in evil, bata pro duet which the original sufferar will not forego.

|

TELEGRAPH.

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1915.

Germany.

CONTEMPORARY OPINION.

land, machinery, etc. so many the compulsion of handing over million dollars' worth of wealth in goods to the valus of $1 250,000

Financial Operations for Debt. The mass of this transference Brazil, $100,000,000 to $125,- year to the victors?

will take place as a secondary 000,000 worth remains under the Under modern industrial con- effect of an issue of stook by the control of owners resident indition almost certainly the latter. defeated party. The victors will

(Continued from page 3.) Armies are on the march, fleets In other words, ander modern demand a ceriainsum of" meney" industrial conditions the direct (which does not exist save in com- are cleared for action, all com transferonge of stocks, and of paratively small stocks of metal). muaioarion between the bellig- the most part an error. mobile means of production is for A paper promise to pay this sum erent countries is sovered, battle will pass from the conquered to manoeuvres begin, blood is spill-" their conquerors and a so-called ed, invasions are begun. Whether Goose, that Lays Golden Egg. "Joan" will be raised by the the quarrel was just or unjust, There are exceptions. The conquered to meet this promise. be of advantage to the victor; it gone through, the thing will movement of actual bullion will After all the rigmarole has been will be of advantage to the victor translate itself into heavy taration to transfer so much mobilo capi (also in "money") of the van tal as he can absorb. But there quished-taxation nominally in is alimit to the restaross of labour posed by their own government to which the victor on command. provide interest

They are, by our modern ar- rangements, the. proprietors of Brazil have produced by using that surplus amount labourers in their land and capital that is,80 much rubber, so much coffee, oty. They can have this sani to rabber for motor syres, coffee and Germany in the shape of India the reat or they can use it again in the Brazils, exchanging it there against wheat, clothing and the rest for more labourers to produce what we mean when we say that more wealth for them. That is the foreign investments of Ger- and are of a total value of many are situated in the Brazils $2,500,000,000, and that is all we

against the Germanic powers, and Now, supposing the war to go in particular against the German empire, and will more partion Iarly against Prussia (which is the kernel and the motive power by a bostile civil population bo-be the chances, or rather the pos- of the whole basiness), what will tages must to shot and the culiraibility of obtaining a tras in- population reduced to non-resist

demnity 7 aoce by a calculated terroriem).

I do not say what will be the These methods had been curriel into practice to some extent in the chance of the allies enriching themselves at the expense of the war of 1870. In the present cam-Germanic powers, as the German paign they have been practised on

Wealth in Domestic Goods. empire, and in particular Prussia, a for larger scale.

Now, secondly, for the existing The consequence has been that enriched herself at the expense of for the first time since the invasion France after 1870, for that is feated party. The realot of the de- slooks include everything which can be mored

"7

of the pagane, a thousand years ago, great massee of the civilian population have fled before an advancing army. This was par France. The roads leading from the frontier wers crowded with long trains of fugitives..

Nevertheless, there was neither Brutality nor chaos. The vast numbers fleeing before the face of the invasion were well treated by their fellow countrymen, and the officers upon the great roads doubled their duties, as it were,

ticularly the case in north-eastern

quite impossible.

mean.

if

прод

the

to the democratisation of its']) government, with the

ATO

details

all internal prob

their opinion is sought through she publication from day to day of executive, legislative and judi oial activities."

"But as soon as a matter orisas although it may involve the moat touobing international relations, vital interests of the nation, a the conflict avoidable or inevit-veil is drawn about it. The my ever. War has become a reality, the understanding of the common able, makes no difference whatteries of it are held to be beyond defence, a stera necessity, and intelligence of the country and, conflict which may have been necessarily, to be conducted by precipitated by incompetence or the specially endowed perasa guils among a few men becomes who happen at the time to be in the life-and-death)business of uncertain positions of power. And numbered millions.

+1

the policy determined upon, what- ever it may be, becomes tnored. its maintenance, if necessary, from that hour, demanding for sacrifice of peace, prosperity and uncounted lives.

the

The menace of secret diplomacy is not a recent discovery; it has long been recognised by thought

fal men of all countries, but oivi- lisation has not yet thrown off the veneration for an ancient custom. Sir Victor Horsley, an eminent British surgeon, said recently:

Becessary-

tal, the heavy machinery, the

The non-mobile forme of epi- new "debt."

The Boer War was an exception The taxed will find themselves and blocks of warehouses of a less, and working harder and so clearly a war of aggression that mines with their plant, the quays "elling foreign stocks," eating that proves the rule. It was so seaport he cannot transfer from forth. The reality that will be it was denounced and resisted to one place to another. Should be taking place will be what I have de- the very end by large numbers of rain them be will kill the goose oribed: Confiscation by the victor the British people, and became that laye ter him the golden eggs of vanquished property abroad

papular" only when a series of ti the debtor's power of produce and tribute on the producs of defeats bad awakened the determ tion.

vanquished property at home.

ination of the country to carry Unfortunately for the allies, It is easy for the conditions im- through a misguided enterprise, It is unfortunately not possible from such soil to a forsiga soil; they should be the viotors in posed to be such that: (1) the for that either the existing wealth or

Likewise, the German people the productive power of the Ger- certain forms of mobile machinery, the war, she most active contres eign investments of the conquered are not throwing away their lives man empire can reimburse Ear-hipe, unproductive stocka, auch of German production lie im-country shall disappear: (2) the wholly in the hope of realizing ope for the damage already done, as fine pictures and furniture and mediately in the regions which mobile stocks that can be usefully visions of world empire; they are let alone for the total damage finally stocke or bullion, partion-invasion will first reach. The employed by the victors (sad no inspired to supreme devotion by

Silesian industrial belt on the more) shall be transferred to the the belief, however absurd it may establishment of arbitration To effect progress toward the that will result from the war. Weiszly stocks of gold.

These "existing." stocks form south-east, the Westphalian belt victors, and (3) much the most be, that they were attacked by a two things are must make up our minds to it

at the civilisation of Europe milive conditions, the victor takes are the first to suffer from a tion of the defeated country, shall to save themselves from slavery. democratic rule by the politi that is, the allies, will be for a

the indemnity which, under pri- in the east and that of Lorraine important, the power of produc-ring of enemies" and must fight first, the establishment of as loot to recoup himeelf for the Germad. defeat.

be laid under tribute for as

Bat the one indisputable fact cal enfranchisement of all men oug time to come the poorer ou

damage which the vanquished

It will be impossible if proper long a period as possible..

is that wara, into which, when and women, and, secondly, the account of this war.

Indeed it will perhaps be our have done in his country or for pressure is to be imposed upon. With all this it is quite certain begun, the citizens of all coun- abolition of secret diplomacy, the chief business in the immediate the expense to which the van the enemy to avoid a certain that an indemnity so arrived at will tries fling themselves with ardent chief weapon of despotism and future to save civilisation, a squished have exposed him by mesare of destruction... never repay the losses incurred."

heroism, are not made by them, the source of misunderstandings by helping to organise this civili-whole from shipwreck. We oin-heir original aggression.

It is certain, for instanée, that I conclude, then, that if Germany but by their governments. The and war. But when we have considered when or if the Russians get into and Austria be the losere, their reason for this is that the one world, save it from grievous loas: moment we shall see that this Silesia they will drive bofore them indemnities will strip them of department of their public buai- not, with the best will in the

This is a trath which few people mere" lifting" of mobile goods the civilian population, leaving foreign investment and lay them oss over which they do not "Precinte de yet, because as yet available in the vanquished coun- the mines and factories idle. For for years under a domestic tribute, exercise effective control is that

civil population but that this can never replace of foreign affairs.

The catastrophe proves that we have been living upon our try is not the sction most pro-to leave a

the Russian advance the loss of the war, and that

This is pre-eminently true of secret negotiations, like those reserves, our accumulated stocke duotive of wealth to himaelf which behind

war Europe must face for perhaps a nations living under an autocratic habitually conducted in Europe, But it is a truth which will be from it. of wealth at home and abroad.the victor could undertake. Far under the methods of

He has a farther originated by Prussis would generation a quite anaoonstomed regime, such as Austria, Russia and alliances between selected

restraint in wealth.

and Germany; with those govern- nations, the terms of which are very painfully apparent after the resource, one much longer lived be to invite disaster.

None the less it remains true If, on the other hand, after a

ments the management of inter secret-or, at any rate, not public. next harvest, and which will come and more dependable in the home to us with peculiar violence productive power of a conquered that the allies, should they be prolonged struggle, these powers national relations is exclusively in ly stated cannot avert, in the if the war is prolonged beyond country:

victorious, will leave intact as far are the victore, then Europa is the hands of the ruler and bie long run, outrageous war, hat as possible the maschinery and ruined.

appointees; and it is customary can only produce postponements for them to commit the most of war or short traces. plant of German industrialism; always excepting that proportion

vital interests of their subjects to alliances and other arrangements, which they can use, fully take over and exploit themselves..

the obligations of which are quite unknown to the mass of the citizens..

an movement,

devastated by war, the Fretol Now, all over that great belt

soldiers, witnessing the exodus, have used a phrase: "Tons cela sa paiera!'

!" that is "All this. shall be paid för!"

In other worde, they looked for ward, as does the genetal body of the allier, not only to a sufficient Vengeance, but to an actual repay ment of the loss. Here, said they,

ikan enormous destruction of haman wealth due to a blind but

vigorous policy of aggression which has been proached and de-' fined by 'russia for a generation.

13

tho next harvest.

What, then, are the sources from which indemnity can be reaprer

ed ?

Three Sources at Hand. There are three such sources, and three alone.

1-The foreign investments of a country.

a

It will, under modern con- ditions, usually pay better to leave the means of production at least in the bands of the conquer ed so long as he is fairly certain of being able to levy tribule upon the produce created from year to year by the conquered country.

Thirdly, the power of produc- tion of the vanquished as a souros of indemnity to the victor.

The individual producer of wealth in e modern industrialised capitalist country, such as the Garman empire, knows nothing and cares nothing for its altimate destination;

Morals Non-existent. There was, of ourse, be n question of international moral

A GEMMAN RUSE.

in all this, for Germany has given Bullding Near Cologne Meant to countries. Englishmen have as

Deceive French Aviators.

London, Feb. 5-That a sham railway slation was erected near Cologne to deceive French

But the system exists in a lesser but noticeable degree in all

serted that no one outside of the highest government circles and those having the confidence of offioiale knew the terme that held together the Triple Eatente; nor to what extent the honour of Great Britain had been pledged to her allies; nor what engagements the 'counsels of statesman" had made in the name of the empire.

True, the whole problem was finally submitted to the people's representatives in Parliament with admirable frankness, but by that time there was nothing left for

Dr. Charles W. Eliot, one of

the most conservative of ameri oans, has stated the case with

great clearness and forca:

Free institutions take the public into confidence, because all important movements of the government must reet on popular desires, needs and volitions. Auto oratio institutions have no such necessity for publicity. Tais government secrecy as to motives, plans and purposes must often be maintained by disregarding truth, fair dealing and honourable oblig ations, in order that, when the appeal to force comes, one gov ernment may secure advantage by taking the other by surprise

In an editorial in the London Daily News we find these

strong worde

Can Europe ever again tolerate the appalling peril of secret diplo maoy? It belongs to the traditiona of autocratic and personal govern

Must Pay Damages. "The material damage muat ba made good. The direct lose by way of destruction and by way of waste must be replaced if the enemy is defeated. So much the 2-Its existing domestic stocks.

it to be clearly understood that négative exponas, if possible 3-Ite productive power.

such morals do not exist. We the loss of wealth involved by the

The fundamental, the olement

are concerned only therefore with withdrawal of all active manhood ary, things in economics, simple

what will pay best in case of from useful production to the field, as they are, are hidden from most

victory, knowing well that in cass But how ? It is usual to call modern people by the meaning

Germany is successful she will sume demanded at the termination less jargon of finance. The plain

not be deterred from applying any of a campaign from the defeated man, who, after all, is chiefly The various men occupied in methods which she thinks will party an "indemnity of "war."

concerned in the reaalt of any making a locomotive in Germany increase her future advantage. aviators at the beginning of the The phrase occurs frequently en- grest soonomic action,is bewilder or a bandle of textile goods have To sum up, ona may say that war is the assertion of a Berne ough in the last hundred and fiftyed by a mass of technical terms. no interest whatsoever in the con- of the three great categories from correspondent, who got informe years, but the great modern ex-

We must begin by getting rid sumption of those goede or in the which alone an indemnity can be tion from the head of a well ample of it, which opened an sl of all that flummery to grasp the use of that locomotive. Give provided, the third (the power of known Swing metal firm, who together new seriesin auch things, situation. wse the indemnity of $500,000,-

them a livelihood by employing production of the defeated) is a First, ther, what are the foreign them upon such production and nowadays the most important,

On August I noticed a con- 000 imposed apon France by investments of any nation? They they are satisfied.

That power of production must glomeration of sheds and hungare them to do but indorse and prement; it has no place in dem Germany after the war of 1870,

are the possession exercised by In other words, what pays you be safeguarded by reserving to come two miles from town with pare for a war of defence upon the ocratic world. And the example This move was novel because it that nation over certain means of beat in obtaining redress from an the defeated country its existing a network of shining railroad issues made by the Government of the United States must become was in the form of direct loof, production not situated upon the industrial country which has means of production as far as pos-tracks entering them but uncon-

Nor does it require a long me

the model of the civilised world The vanquished were not only soil controlled by the nation asked to pay the expenses of the

caused you damage is not to ico, sible, but these laid under tribute, nected with the rest of the system,mory to recall incidents of the on this vital matter, if Europe is Let us suppose for instance still less to destroy such of its and the tribule guaranteed by while roundabout were numerous same kind in American history, to be free from menses in the victors, but were malelet in a that Germany is said to have stooks in mobile machinery, military occupation. The longer masle bearing are lights.***

Only a few months ago the pres-

future. much larger sum than these. $2,500 000,000 of foreign investolothing, food, etc., as permit it to that period of military occupation The same informant gives ident of the United States was Tribate was exacled.

Precedent for Huge Tribute. Braz 1: What does that mean in it in constone possession of there Next, a certain proportion of preparations, as follows: A notice delicate and dangerous negotia

sments in one particular place, say continue to produce, but to leave extends, the better for the victors, instances of German ante-war personally conducting the most No German property bad b son terms of economic reality? Dass meins of production and to levy the existing mobils stooks par- dated July 21 directed possessors tions with armed forces in Mexico destroyed by the French eriotes, it mean that Germany has $2, tribute year by year upon that ticularly of hallion, wanid be of carrier pigeons to deliver them acting upon secret reports pres- for these had been defeated from 500,000,000 in Brazil in a sank, production as it takes place, transferred from the conquered to the authorities: instructions to ented to him by private agents, the beginning and had occupied which sack she could, if defeited, Take for instance a large Ger- to their conquerors, but in doing put money in Government say and refusing even to take into no German soil. The ac-called be compelled to hand over to her men ammersial vessel now own this no mobile capital should be ings banks; the presence in the his confidence the congressional indemnity was for the most part victor? Obviously, it means ed by a number of individuals moved which cannot be absorbed latter part of July at the Vevay committees on foreign affairs. mere loot.

nothing of the kind. It must be distinguished from

presiding in the German empire. by the conquerors, for that would depot of a German railway car The result was that the Amer. Instance of German Wealth, This vessel is used to create be waste.

gre marked "reserved for mobilien- ioen people awoke one morning the hoary contributions of wor which armies in the past had the fog of credits, bills and ex- in the process of exchange. It

When you have got through wealth by transporting goods a investmente, can be extin- metal frms months before the national honour involved in war, matic communications of what

The first category, that of fox-tion"; and orders given German to find their interests and their levied upon conquered popula. changes it simply means that creates, let us say, $5,000,000 guished in ile totality, and the war to set aside a portion of in the making of which they had tions in order to prosecate the international arrangements per worth of wealth in a year, which whole of the possessions of the their best materials for possible not been consulted, through campaign. It set up a precedent mit a certain number of men after the sailors and dookers and conquered nation in landa, rail- requirements of the Government which they could derive nothing which, in the very nature of resident in Germany to control the rest have been paid, leaves a ways, elo,, sitasted abroad can be on whose value the Government but diandvantage and from which things, was bound to be used some the use of a certain amount of sorplus value of $2,500,000 for bodily transferred to the victoras paid interest at higher rates than they were extriosted only by the time or other against the German land, and water power, engines, these people resident in Germany. I need not emphasise the the banka friendly intervention of South of the errors of civilisation that empira herself,

stocks and food and clothing, and Would it better pay, a fister to obvious truth that all those three The correspondent states that American republics. of shelter (that is, house property) take this ship away, put it into processes will be marked, under the Swiss aviator Blanpsin,

o has The obvious weakness in the the war. in the Brazils. This control is, one of its own ports and give it modern conditions, by what are left Frieburg to offer his services universal practice of conducting under the beadabip of a particular of course, to the extent that after to number of its own citizene, called Gospoial operations" to France. He bore a message to foreign affairs is that castom or member thereof (as the Mediter the labourers in Brazil have been or would it better pay him to that is we shall cot have General Castelnau, that the superstition forbids anything in ranean states became one body fed, clothed and sheltered, enough leave it in Hamburg in the hands orders for the actual transference General's son, long announced the nature of publicity. The pea under the headship of Roma). It to produce with the aid of this of its present owners, but under of goods save in a few cares, missing, was a prisoner. ple of a country in proportion

Europe is not a society gradu

ally tending to become one body

The Socialista, with charac moved to make this for teristic vigour, have already part of their programme. The members of the party in the United States are now preparing to vote upon a proposal, put forth by Allan L. Benson, to incorporate among the party principles a demand that foreign policies shall be framed and executed by joint committees of congress, all diplo ever sort to be made public on the day of their despatch.

Whatever form the judgment of the world may eventually take, secret diplomacy should be one

will not be permitted to outlive

It is irrational and dangerous; and if perpetuate), it will begin, during the very negotiations for peace, to sow the seeds for noth harvest of inhuman strifes