HOW DOES GERMANY STAND.

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13067, 7 January 1915, Page 7

HOW DOES GERMANY STAND.

JUDGMENT OF A DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN LAWYER. If the evidence submitted by the official "White." "Orange" end "Grey" Books of the warring nations were analysed as a lawyer analyses the evidence in his case, who would be found responsible for the European war? The New York Times submitted this evidence to Mr James M. Beck, formerly assietant-Attorney-General of the United States, and a leader of the New York Bar, who has argued many of the most impoitant cases before the Supreme Court, notably the Northern Securities case, the Lotteries case, the Dunbury Hatters' case and the Paper Trust case. Mr Beck's argument of tbis the greatest of the world's cases, that of the Double Alliance versus the Triple Entente before the Supreme Court of Civilisation occupies more than a dozen columns of the New Ycrk Times, and is characterised throughout by an eminently judicial tone. Finally Mr Beck pronounces the following judgment:— "These are the facts as shown by the record, and upon tnem, in my judgment, an impartial court would not hesitate to pass tbs following judgment:— "1. That Germany and Austria in a time of profound peace secretly concerted together to impose their will upon Europe and upon Servia in a matter affecting the balance of power in Europe. Whether in so deing they intended to precipitate a European war to determine the mastery of Europe is not satisfactorily established, although their whole course of conduct suggests this as a possibility. They made war at last inevitable by (a) issuing an ultimatum that was grossly unreasonable and disproportionate to any grievance that Austria had, and (b) in giving to Servia and Europe, insufficient time to consider the rights and obligations of all interested nations. "2. That Germany has at all times | the power to compel Austria to preserve a reasonable and conciliatory course, but at no time effectively ex- j erted that intleunce. On the contrary, she certainly abetted, and possibly in ' stigated, Austria in its unreasonable course. "3. That England, France, Italy and Russia at all times sincerely worked for peace, and for this purpose not only overlooked the original misconduct of Austria, but made every reasonable concession in the hope of preserving peace. "4. That Austria, having mobilised I its army, Russia was reasonably ! justified in mobilising its forces. Such act of mobilisation was the right of any soveriegn State, and as long as the Russian armies did not cross the border or take any just rigLt to complain,each having the same right to make similar preparations. "5. That Germany, in abruptly de daring war against Russia for failure to demobilise when the other Powers had offered to make a reasonable concession and peace parleys were still in progress, precipitated the war. "The writer of this article bss reached these conclusions with reluctance, as he has a feeling of deep I affeetion for the German people and j equal admiration for their ideals and j matchless progress. Even more he admires the magnificent courage with which the German nation, beset on every hand by powerful antagonists, is now defending its prestige as a nation. The whole hearted devotion of this great nation to its flag is worthy of the best traditions of the Teutonic race. Nevertheless this cannot alter j the ethical truth, which stands apart from any considerations of nationality; nor can it affect the conclusion that the German nation has been plunged into tbis abyss by its scheming statesmen and its self centred and j highly neurotic Kaiser, who in the twentieth century sincerely believes that he is the proxy of Almighty Gcd on earth and therefore infallible. "In visiting its condemnation the | I Supreme Cour* 0 J civilisation should I therefore distinguish between the j military caste, headed oy the Kaiser and the Crown Prince, which precipitated tbis Paai calamity, and the j : German people. , "The very secrecy of the plot | against the peace of the world and the : failure to disclose to the German people the diplomatic communications herein before quoted, strongly suggest that this detestable war is not , merely a crime against civilisation, but also against the deceived and ! misled German people. They have a vision and are essentially progressive and peace loving in their national characteristics, while the ideals of their military caste are those of the 11 Dark Ages.' j ' "One day the German people will know the full truth and then there will be a dreadful reckoning for those who have plunged into this abyss of disaster. "The mills of God grind slowly. But they grind exceedingly small. With patience He stands watching, With exactness grinds He all.' '