“It increases the risk of foreign conflicts.  At the same time it brightens the prospects of success of those influential circles which—­impelled by an overpowering impulse to deeds, and inspired by a diseased longing for prestige—­press on from excitement to excitement, from daring to daring, and from crisis to crisis.”

This remarkable prophecy has been verified by history, but with its realization, the party which made it has been converted to the side of their former opponents.  To-day the Social Democrats are just as hearty in the desire to see Britain overthrown and British naval supremacy smashed as is the Kaiser’s Government.

No impartial thinker dare deny that the British fleet has been the principal factor in preventing Europe’s subjugation to German autocracy, and the world to German militarism.  Yet the so-called party of freedom prays earnestly that this fleet may be destroyed.  This represents the tone of their daily Press, and the change of attitude has been proved to be scientifically correct in various books published by their leaders during the present year.  One of these works will be quoted at considerable length, because of its importance in showing what the “pioneers of liberty” wish, may be the end of the “home of liberty.”  The work bears the title, “German Social Democracy and the World War;"[90] its author is a Socialist member of the Reichstag.

[Footnote 90:  “Die deutsche Sozialdemokratie und der Weltkrieg,” by Dr. Paul Lensch, published by the Vorwaerts Publishing House.  Berlin, 1915.]

In dealing with England he refers to their former admiration for this country and proceeds to prove that it was wrong—­wrong in the interests of Germany, and the world.  England’s fight against Napoleon for European freedom Dr. Lensch disposes of in a sentence:  “Consumed by greed, England took the long-yearned-for opportunity and fell upon her rival, France” (p. 16).

He informs his readers that England and Russia are two beasts of prey.  England’s disarmament proposals were only intended to secure her naval supremacy, because Germany seemed to be escaping from the strangulation cord which.  England had drawn tight round her throat.  Therefore three problems present themselves to Dr. Lensch, which the war must solve: 

(1.) Shall the German people continue to exist as an independent nation?

(2.) Shall the danger of Czarism continue to threaten West European culture?

(3.) Shall Britain’s naval supremacy be eternalized or overthrown, seeing that Britain only allows other nations to develop, so far as they are compatible with her national interests? (p. 15).

“England’s oft-praised freedom is based upon the enslavement of the world; the peoples now recognize that England’s wealth, freedom, and greatness are merely the corollary to their poverty, slavery and wretchedness (p. 20).

“International Socialism has not the slightest interest in helping to bolster up this supremacy (p. 22).