THE NEXT WAR.

Northern Advocate, 2 March 1921, Page 6

THE NEXT WAR.

GERMAN STANDPOINT. BERNHARDT CONSIDERS PEACE A 'DREAM. A REMARKABLE BOOK. General von Bernhardt has written another remarkable book about the ' : next war." There is nothing remarkable in what he says on teh technical side. His theories on the technique of slaughter are not changed by the lessons of the European struggle. They are only developed on a bigger scale of ft'ightfulness, and are generally in accordance with the theories of other military strategists who have written on the subject. What is remarkable is that his political philosophy of force is more strongly entrenched than ever by the events of the last few years, and ;hat he still thinks Germany has a great future—by way of military'conquest. The surprising thing to those who do not know the German psychology is that -he should think it aloud. The idea of nations "living in peace side 'by skle" is nothing but a 'beautiful dream," which moves him to a solemn kind of laughter. As long as men remain men force in its widest sense will determine the political and cultural importance of States. In the last resort it is the foundation of all intellectual progress.

j3e has a profound admiration for the recent achievements of the German army, and a profound contemfit for the politicians whose sup'meness lost a war in which, he says, Germany was never beaten in the field. His picture of a peace-loving Germany whose simplicity and unpreparedness provoked her enemies to attack her has an appearance of childlike innocence. "STUMBLED INTO THE WAR." In the judgment of history we shall have the glory of having puvshal lhave the glory of having pursued an absolutely honourable po- | licy and carried out the ethical | teaching of Christianity. ... We i -stumbled into the war without any political preparations at all. Bismarck would have turned in his grave if he could have seen such a lack of proper precautions.. It is impossible not to admire the naked frankness of his advice to his country in order to make sure that next time she shall 'be on the alert. Here are a few of his obiter dicta for the (benefit of the German nation:— War is nothing but the continuation of diplomacy by ether methods. The U-boat weapon must be developed to the highest pitch of capacity, notwithstanding the present peace conditions. (That both this and the reorganisation of the army are pos-

sible, he aptly points out, is proved | by the years after 1806, in which I "200,000 men were trained under the ] eyes of the French garrison instead of 42,000, the number permitted.)" 'We must not 'be afraid of making secret preparations for war or begin-' ning it ourselves. It is the greatest cruelty towards one's own people to lack the courage to begin a necessary war. If the statesman is always to keep the initiativej he must realise that his chances are proportionate to the military power behind him. . War can only be waged offensively if it is to have any prospects of success. FIVE-MARK VOLUNTEERS. At the end of the book we are presented with 'an enthusiastic description of the devastating possibilities of the modern resources of war, and this unregenerate apostle of force then pauses to point 'out that "the course of policy which leads up to such a war" must 'be in the hands of men who know the ambitions of the States |of Europe, and "therefore realise against what forces they may have to 'fight and what resources are at their own disposal.

He pours contempt upon the postwar "Five-mark Volunteers/' and asks whether such men, "who ouly obey when they want to and otherwise do exactly what jthey like," arc in a position to form armies such as modern conditions required. Let Germany substitute for Soldiers' Councils a reinstated 'Chief of the General Staff! Then all will be in trim for the . next war.