If Germany had gained a victory—­and in August, 1914, she was absolutely convinced that France and Russia would succumb if they faced her alone—­then Germany would have obtained the long sought upper and “free hand” in Europe.  What earthly powers could have compelled her in that moment to respect her promise in regard to French territories?  Certainly Germany’s sense of honour could not be counted upon to do so.

The second problem refers to the bull and the china-shop.  Presuming that the bull could talk, would Professor Oncken advise the guardian of the proverbial china-shop to accept the bull’s promise to respect the status quo ante of his property, before letting him (the bull) run amock amongst the china?

Lastly, readers are advised when studying the German “case” to remember that Germany never offered to respect the integrity of French territories and, the neutrality of Belgium.  Although German writers—­with malice aforethought—­seek to give that impression.  Yet, had this combined offer been made, the author submits that in spite of such a promise, it would still have been ruinous to British interests to stand aside and see Germany gain the upper and “free hand” in Europe.  Having obtained that, all else would have followed to the desire of Germany’s heart.

CHAPTER XII

THE LITERATURE OF HATE

“The English are wretched scoundrels.”—­Frederick the Great.

“It must come to this, that not even a German dog will accept a piece of bread from an Englishman.”—­Heinrich von Treitschke.

“England, the Vampire of Europe,” by Count Reventlow.

“Down with England,” by Admiral Valois.

“England, our Enemy in the Past, Present and Future,” by Erich von Kabler.

“A German Victory, Ireland’s Hope,” by Dr. Hans Rost.

“England, the Scourge of Humanity,” by Germanicus.

“The Poisonous Press,” by Germanicus.

“England against England,” by Mathieu Schwann.

“A Woman’s War Letters,” by L. Niessen-Deiters.

“Albion’s Death Struggle,” by Eugen Detmolder.[208]

[Footnote 208:  Written by Detmolder (a Belgian) during the Boer War.—­Author.]

“How John Bull recruits his Hirelings,” by Dr. Herbert Hirschberg.

“Advance on England!  The Destruction of Britain’s World Power,” Anonymous.

“In English Captivity,” by Heinrich Norden, late missionary.

“British versus German Imperium,” by an Irish-American.  Introduction by Sir Roger Casement.

“Lousyhead goes on Lying.”  The latest war news of Messrs. Grandebouche (France), Lousyhead (Russia), and Plumpudding (England), by Karl Ettlinger.

“England and Germany,” by Houston Stewart Chamberlain.

“Cable Warfare and the Campaign of Lies,” by Dr. Meister, Professor in Muenster University.