"JULY 1914"

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 148, 19 December 1929, Page 29

"JULY 1914"

LUDWIG ON WAR-GUILT

EUROPE'S LIABILITY

A CAUTIOJSLABY TALE

"The war-guilt belongs to all Europe; researches; in every country have proved this. Germany's exclusive guilt or Germany's innocence are fairy tales for children on both sides of the Rhine. What country wanted the war? Let us put a different question: "What circles in every country wanted, facilitated,'or began the war? If, instead of a horizontal-section, through Europe, we take a vortical section through society we find that the sum of guilt was in the Cabinets, the sum of innocence in the streets of Europe.

"In no country had the man at the machine, in the workshop, or at the plough any desire to break the peace, or any interest in doing so. Everywhere the lower classes feared war, and "fought against it till the eleventh hour. The Cabinets, on the other [hand, the War Offices and interested circles that worked with them, the j ministers, generals, admirals, war contractors, and journalists, were driven forward by- ambition and fear, by incapacity and greed, - and drove the masses forward in their turn. The less control a Government had to fear, the heavier is its historical responsibility. . For this reason, while exact calculations of relative responsibility are impossible, one can say that Vienna and Petersburg stand first; Berlin and Paris, ; their seconds, follow them, although at very different intervals; London comes a long way after. . . .

"This book is a study of the stupidity of the men who in 1914 were all-power-ful> and of the true instinct of those who, at that time, were powerless. It is international in outlook, and shows how a peaceable, industrious, sensible mass, of 500 millions, was hounded by a few dozen incapable-leaders, by falsified documents, lying stories of threats, and chauvinistic catchwords, into a war which was in no \yay destined or inevitable."

That is a very long extract, writes E.H.G-. in the "Illustrated London News," but it is well that I should give it, for nothing could better present the case that Emil Ludwig argues; nothing better explain why his dedication is "To our sons—in warning"; nothing better account for the quotation chosen for his title-page—Ballin's "A man need not have been a Bismarck to prevent this most idiotic of all wars."

Many will disagree vigorously and vehemently with his assumptions and his conclusions; but, in these days of coolings in the Continents, at least as ,many will support his plea for a World Court of Arbitration. "There is only this alternative; either to do it now, or to wait, for another war."

'(The stupidity of the men who in 1914 were all-powerful.l? That is the phase that preoccupies him; and he seeks to demonstrate until Q.E.D. may be written, notj. only, .the lunacy of mutual distrust, "the mistrust .usual among. Allies," but the dangers of a surfeit of nationalism, "balance of power," boundary jealousies and revenge; the perils of personal prides,.. enmities, and prejudices; tho -fumblings and the blunderings that arc born of hidebound customs, secret diplomacy, steel-clad systems, swollen armaments, and cherishing of caste.

More, he claims that there is nov nothing against complete understanding. "The documents arc not insufficient .-.. .rather, they arc ovor-abund-an.t. ■ The-origin'- of ;tha recent war ds known to us more exactly "than that of any earlier war in history. It is only tlrose who wish to darken European counsel in nationalist interests that still throw the dust of the achivos in our eyes." •

Ho opens his/'J'Accuse," as he must, with the shooting of' the- \ Archduke Franz I'eraliiantt and his wife in--the streets of Sarajevo, the Sarajevo that was full of assassins; with the murders that gave Leopold, Count Berchtold, yon und zu Urigarsehitz, IVatting, and Pullitz, Minister of the Imperial and 'Royal Household and of-the Foreign [Affairs of the United Kingdoms and

Provinces, a Hell-sent chance to combat a Greater Serbia and decided him to do so despite the risk of Russia and Prance entering the lists; especially as Berlin might be expected to move, "When will such an opportunity come again? Assassination of a Royal personage has an automatic effect on Wilhelm; punitive expedition on the Chinese pattern, conspiracy against the Imperial House, mailed fist, shining arruoxir. Full-dress uniform, then; autograph letter from the Ofd Gentleman." Thus thought Berchtold, according to Ludwig, whose villain-of-the-piece he is.

Then, in tragic sequence, are scares and counter-scares, plots' and- plans, foresight and "futilities; Imperial and Royal, Grand-Ducal, ambassadorial, naval, military,- and ministerial meetings in all the capitals concerned; prattling of prestige cock-sureness and quavering; wreathed menaces the shaking of heads and sabres; courtly chicanery; ships of State veering under vacillating captains part-inobilisatioiis, orders it was- "technically impossible" to cancel, "state of danger of war," mobilisations—and war.

The Machine moved at the bidding of the- bedizened; What of the fus-tian-clad Men-in-tUeStreets who had to serve the mechanism until they died, or fell mangled by its rclentloss wheels and rending cogs, or lived to tell of its horrid wonders, of its cruelties, of the fascination of its grim rhythm? So it was to be again—in Germany, in Austria-Hungary, in France, in England. And in Brussels, where the Socialist leaders of the lands had gathered together, Jaures spoke, Jaures who was to be shot in Paris on 31st July, on the eve of the .Call to the French Army: "I thank our German comrades in the name of the French, and I swear: 'We will continue to support them like brothers against the warmongers' Attila campaign, true till death'" Nevertheless the "brothers" of Europe fought, and fought gallantly and desperately, the one against the other. Why? The answer is simple enough: indeed, it is obvious. Conjure up the wisdom of Stephen Dccatur: "Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but Our Country, right or wrong!" • And remember that all the Peoples in action were assured of the rectitude of their cause: all battled to save their own, confident that they were protecting themselves, their kin, and'their civilisation. Of that they were persuaded, and because of that they took up arms—rich, and passing rich, and poor; men of all classes, all creeds, all parties well-nigh of all.ages. "July 1914"—it might lave been called "The Legend of the Great Men; and the Legion of Lost Youth"—is, i& fact, what our grandfathers ana grandmothers knew as. a cautionary tale. But it is a "Meddlesome Mattie" with a difference; its style is not that of the kind Nannie or the perfect mama; it is not verbosity in verse; and it is not altogether intolerant of humau frailties. None need fear that it will bore them with platitudes or that its solemnities are eporifie in truth, it may bo imagined that the more callow will find a sneaking'pleasure in. discovering clay feet! However that may be the younger amongst us should read it The future is theirs—our sons' and their sons'.