[Footnote 88:  Leipziger Volkszeitung, August 23rd, 1915.]

This imaginary peace-treaty is what Germans would call a Zankapfel (apple of discord).  It may represent the serious opinions of Germany’s greatest political party, but the German Government will welcome it because it will give Germany’s sympathizers in France, England, Italy and Russia an excellent weapon with which they can attack their respective Governments, and hamper them in protecting their national interests.  It will doubtless be an inspiration to the members of the I.L.P. and the U.D.C.[89]

[Footnote 89:  Above prophecy written end of August; fulfilled in the Labour Leader October 28th.—­Author.]

If the German Government seriously formulated such proposals, the author believes that all Britishers worthy of the name would simply answer:  “Fight on!” On this assumption the proposals deserve no discussion.

Yet the document is interesting as revealing the mind of Social Democratic Germany.  These sublime Pharisees are unconscious of Belgium’s wrongs and Germany’s crimes.  The former deserve no compensation and the latter no penalty.  Here we are on the bed-rock of their ideas of justice and humanitarianism.  Still we are not altogether surprised, because the Democratic newspaper organs have openly defended and justified the atrocities committed by German soldiers, and whenever any particularly damning evidence has been produced their parole has consistently been:  “At any rate, now is not the time to discuss it.”  According to their comprehension the only time for discussion is when Europe is under the German heel.  They are willing to discuss—­when discussion can no longer injure the Fatherland, when Germany has gained all she wants.

The most remarkable metamorphosis which the German Democrats have undergone, is shown in their changed attitude to England.  This country gave a home to Marx and Engels; the former is buried in Highgate cemetery.  For many decades the party professed enthusiastic admiration of British institutions and our ideals of personal freedom.  Their admiration for England was not always convenient to the German Government, and was certainly a thorn in the side of the Kaiser.

In 1898 the party published a “Handbook for Social Democratic Voters,” which contains lengthy explanations of their entire policy.  Therein they justify their opposition to German naval expansion, and while conceding that naval supremacy is vital and indispensable to England, continue:  “Boundless plans are veiled beneath the Navy Bill (1897).  The hotspurs among the water-patriots dream of a first-class navy which might rival, yes, even surpass the British fleet.

“For the water-patriots the Navy Bill means an instrument to further their unlimited Weltpolitik and schemes of conquest; a weapon with which to realize their mad imaginings of a greater Germany.  They desire to employ it as a tool for their absolutist plans and adventurous world enterprises.