That they are not lying on the side of Russia probably is self-evident.  No free American can find desirable a further extension of the Russian world empire and of Russian despotism at the expense of Germany.  But how about a country from which once America had to wrest its own liberty in bloody battle?  How about England?  Where, if England should succeed in downing Germany, would her eyes next be pointed?  Has she not herself admitted that she is making war on us principally because she sees in us an uncomfortable competitor in trade?  And which competitor would be the next one after us that would become awkward to the trust on the Thames?  Yes, have they not already hauled off for the smash against America, when Japan is given opportunity to increase her power—­the same Japan with whom America sooner or later will be bound to have an accounting and whose victory over us would make that accounting a great deal more difficult for the United States?

Germany’s fate certainly does not depend upon the friendly or unfriendly feeling of America.  It will be decided solely upon the European battlefields.  But because we are looking out from the night to a future dawn, because in the midst of our national need the cause of humanity is close to our heart, for these reasons it is not immaterial to us how the greatest neutral nation of culture thinks of us.  Americans, the cable between us has been cut.  It is our wish and our hope that the stronger band that unites American ideals with German ideals shall not also be cut.

To the Civilized World

By Professors of Germany.

As representatives of German science and art, we hereby protest to the civilized world against the lies and calumnies with which our enemies are endeavoring to stain the honor of Germany in her hard struggle for existence—­in a struggle which has been forced upon her.

The iron mouth of events has proved the untruth of the fictitious German defeats, consequently misrepresentation and calumny are all the more eagerly at work.  As heralds of truth we raise our voices against these.

It is not true that Germany is guilty of having caused this war.  Neither the people, the Government, nor the Kaiser wanted war.  Germany did her utmost to prevent it; for this assertion the world has documental proof.  Often enough during the twenty-six years of his reign has Wilhelm II. shown himself to be the upholder of peace, and often enough has this fact been acknowledged by our opponents.  Nay, even the Kaiser they now dare to call an Attila has been ridiculed by them for years, because of his steadfast endeavors to maintain universal peace.  Not till a numerical superiority which had been lying in wait on the frontiers assailed us did the whole nation rise to a man.

It is not true that we trespassed in neutral Belgium.  It has been proved that France and England had resolved on such a trespass, and it has likewise been proved that Belgium had agreed to their doing so.  It would have been suicide on our part not to have been beforehand.