“When England speaks of humanity she means herself; her cosmopolitan utterances refer to her own nationality.  She forgets too easily that other nations have arisen on the earth who esteem their own distinguishing traits and are inspired by the ardent desire to uphold their own institutions, forms of Government and culture.  England believes all too easily that the world’s map should be all one colour.  But the soul of the modern world demands variety."[188]

[Footnote 188:  Ibid., 297 et seq.]

There is no important objection to raise against Professor Marcks’ statement of English history and Britain’s favoured position on the surface of the globe.  Germany did not choose her own geographical situation in the world—­it is hers by nature and the right of historical succession.  Britain has never envied her or endeavoured to deprive her of the advantages consequent upon her “place in the sun.”

Neither did the British select their island home; destiny and history were again the determining factors.  But it would be a travesty of the truth to assert that Germany has not envied her that position, together with the advantages arising from it.  Yet in the same degree as the inhabitants of these islands have used the “talents” entrusted to them through their favourable position, Germany’s jealousy seems to have become more bitterly angry.  By right of birth and national necessity Germany demands the domination of the Rhine, but she fails to recognize that right of birth and the demands of national existence compel Britain to claim the domination of the seas.

The remainder of Professor Marcks’ essay is devoted to proving that “the freedom of our world requires that it shall not be so in future.”  Whatever motives actuated Germany in precipitating the war, this much is now evident—­it is her supreme desire and the aim of her highest endeavour to destroy Britain’s favoured situation and every advantage accruing to her from it.

To-day the issue is clear and simple for Germany—­the annihilation of British power and influence in the world.  Literally hundreds of German war books echo that cry, and, above all else, it is the hope of attaining this aim which has aroused the bitterest war fury in the entire German nation—­man, woman and child.  Reduced to first principles, this difference of geographical position and the varying advantages arising therefrom are the prime causes—­if not the cause—­of the present world-struggle.

It was solely the fear of perpetuating British supremacy[189] which has led Germany consistently to reject the extended hand of friendship.  Standing side by side with Great Britain, either in friendship or alliance, Germany would have given her approval to Britain’s historical position in the world.  When this country departed from the policy of “splendid isolation” repeated attempts were made to establish more intimate relations with Germany (1898-1902).