We have forces here quite different from those on the surface—­forces that are secret, irresistible, profound.  It is these we must judge, must crush under heel once for all, for they are the only ones that will not be improved, softened or brought into line by experience, progress, or even the bitterest lesson.  They are unalterable, immovable.  Their springs lie far beneath hope or influence.  They must be destroyed as we destroy a nest of wasps, since we know these never can change into a nest of bees.

Even though individually and singly Germans are all innocent and merely led astray, they are none the less guilty in mass.  This is the guilt that counts—­that alone is actual and real, because it lays bare underneath their superficial innocence, the subconscious criminality of all.  No influence can prevail on the unconscious or subconscious.  It never evolves.  Let there come a thousand years of civilization, a thousand years of peace, with all possible refinements, art, and education, the German spirit which is its underlying element will remain absolutely the same as today and would declare itself when the opportunity came under the same aspect with the same infamy.

Through the whole course of history two distinct will-powers have been noticed that would seem to be the opposing elemental manifestations of the spirit of our globe, one seeking only evil, injustice, tyranny, suffering, the other strives for liberty, right, radiance, joy.  These two powers stand once again face to face.  Our opportunity is to annihilate the one that comes from below.  Let us know how to be pitiless that we have no more need for pity.  It is the measures of organic defense—­it is essential that the modern world should stamp out Prussian militarism as it would stamp out a poisonous fungus that for half a century had poisoned its days.  The health of our planet is the question.  Tomorrow the United States and Europe will have to take measures for the convalescence of the earth.

Letters to Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler

By Baron d’Estournelles de Constant.

Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, President of Columbia University, has permitted THE NEW YORK TIMES to have the extracts printed herewith from letters sent to him since the beginning of the war by Baron d’Estournelles de Constant, Senator of France, and Member of the International Court at The Hague.

First Letter.

PARIS, Aug. 15, 1914.—­* * * Today I am full of grief to feel myself impotent before the murderous conflicts now going on in Belgium and at a number of points on our northern and eastern frontiers, while awaiting the great battles and hecatombs which will follow; my thought is full of these terrible calamities willfully brought about; so many precious lives already wiped out or soon to be; so much avoidable mourning which one neither can nor wishes now to avoid!