“We are unalterably convinced that England is our mortal enemy, and that all endeavours to find a modus vivendi will be in vain.  Still our present naval forces are unequal to the task of overthrowing her.  This will make it easy for the German Government to obtain even the greatest sums from the Reichstag in order to increase our fleet.  Every other aim—­no matter what it is—­must be laid aside, till this one is attained:  Down with England!

“It is to be hoped that this attempt on England’s part to get rid of a competitor will be the last.  We Germans anticipate the future with an unshakable belief in victory.  Possibly sooner or later, England’s present allies will see that in reality they are serving English interests.  When this unnatural alliance has crumbled to pieces under the might of our blows, then we shall at last stand face to face with England—­alone!

“Our life-work will then begin—­to settle up with the pioneers of hypocrisy so that they shall never again cross our path!  If at any time this high endeavour seems to slacken, then think of East Prussia!  Remember that a third of the province was laid waste; that men, women and children were murdered and violated; that the lists of the missing contained the names of nearly fifty thousand fellow-countrymen.  And all this had to happen so that every Englishman might become a few pounds richer.

“Think of it as long as you live, and pass it on to your descendants as an inheritance.  Give all your strength and your last farthing to increase our fleet and any other necessary means to attain our goal:  Down with England!"[211]

[Footnote 211:  Admiral Valois:  “Nieder mit England!” ("Down with England!”) p. 5 et. seq.]

“Truly it is no longer necessary either in this assembly or in all Germany to create popular opinion for the cry ‘Nieder mit England!’ It re-echoes daily from the lips of every German.  But still we must continue to point out its necessity—­it is a commandment which must banish every weak inclination to yield, and make us strong to hold out to the bitter end.

“To some it may appear ‘one-sided,’ but yet it is a moral duty to emphasize and strengthen our hate for England.  Not only because we will hate, but because we must.  Hatred ennobles when it is directed with full force against the evil and bad.  And what is the evil?  For an answer consider how the English pedlar-spirit with cunning and lies, has subjugated the world and holds it in bondage.

“Even in the upper classes (English), ignorance reigns supreme.  In their famous schools, e.g., Eton College, the young people—­besides sports and so-called gentlemanlike behaviour—­learn exceedingly little.  Except in regard to purely English affairs most Englishmen possess an almost inconceivable ignorance of history and geography.  The view held by so many Germans that the majority of the English nation, especially the so-called ‘upper ten,’ have enjoyed a thorough education—­is utterly false.  But in spite of this, English conceit and unexampled pride leaves little to be desired."[212]