“’Germany’s motto is:  Deutschland ueber alles and you have not opposed it; but you have published in the Vorwaerts an appreciation of the Kaiser alleging that he had worked during twenty-five years for peace.

“’You speak of German civilization being in danger.  But in this civilization we can find no trace of culture, when you attack and torture neutral Belgium, and complete the destruction of Louvain.  Taken as a whole, German Socialists are just as plausible and use the same excuses as the Ministers of the German Government.[84]

[Footnote 84:  Might not this also be said of Messrs. Morel, Macdonald, Bernard Shaw, etc., and the Labour Leader, whose writings on the war have been scattered broadcast throughout Germany during the last six months?]

“’We are enraged at the terrible fact that Germany has violated Belgium’s neutrality, and you have not even protested.  We tell you quite openly that we honour and weep for devastated Belgium, and tremblingly follow the fate of France.’”

Suedekum had no words with which to answer this terrible indictment, and the Vorwaerts could only add the following comment: 

“We consider the judgment of our Italian comrades to be one-sided, but for reasons easy to understand, desist from discussing it in the present situation.  Unfortunately we must recognize the fact, however, that the Italian view is widespread among the Socialists of other neutral countries.”

Germany’s revolutionary party lost no time in hoisting the banner of “no annexations.”  The Leipziger Folkszeitung, second in importance only to the Vorwaerts nailed down a phrase in the Kaiser’s speech from the throne, which stated:  “We are inspired by no desire for conquest.”  In commenting on this phrase, Kautsky’s organ said: 

“The part of the speech which excites most sympathy in us is the admission that Germany cherishes no lust for conquest.  At the proper time we shall refer to that again.

“It is with sincere regret that we see the French Government on the side of the criminal Powers, which have enslaved and robbed the Russian people.  If Germany, in a delirium of victory, should raise claims which mean annexation, then we shall—­that must be repeated again—­recall the speech from the throne of the German Kaiser on August 4th, 1914."[85]

[Footnote 85:  Leipziger Volkszeitung, August 4th.]

During the first year of war a split among the Social Democrats has become evident, and it appears certain that it is the annexation question which is causing the cleavage.  In December last Liebknecht abstained from voting when the second war loan was granted by the Reichstag.  Evidently doubts have arisen in a small section of the party either as to the origin of the war, or in regard to the objects which the German Government hopes to attain.

On August 20th, 1915, Dr. Liebknecht put this question in the Reichstag:  “Is the Government prepared to enter into immediate peace negotiations on the basis that Germany renounces all annexation claims and assuming that the other Powers in question are willing to negotiate?” Von Jagow replied:  “I believe the great majority of the members will agree with me, when I refuse to answer the question, as being at present beside the purpose.”