“We have no illusions,” sighed the professor, with lofty sadness.  “We have no friends.  All look upon us with jealousy, as dangerous beings, because we are the most intelligent, the most active, and have proved ourselves superior to all others. . . .  But since they no longer love us, let them fear us!  As my friend Mann says, although Kultur is the spiritual organization of the world, it does not exclude bloody savagery when that becomes necessary.  Kultur sanctifies the demon within us, and is above morality, reason and science.  We are going to impose Kultur by force of the cannon.”

Argensola continued, saying with his eyes, “They are crazy, crazy with pride! . . .  What can the world expect of such people!”

Desnoyers here intervened in order to brighten this gloomy monologue with a little optimism.  War had not yet been positively declared.  The diplomats were still trying to arrange matters.  Perhaps it might all turn out peaceably at the last minute, as had so often happened before.  His cousin was seeing things entirely distorted by an aggressive enthusiasm.

Oh, the ironical, ferocious and cutting smile of the Doctor!  Argensola had never known old Madariaga, but it, nevertheless, occurred to him that in this fashion sharks must smile, although he, too, had never seen a shark.

“It is war,” boomed Hartrott.  “When I left Germany, fifteen days ago, I knew that war was inevitable.”

The certainty with which he said this dissipated all Julio’s hope.  Moreover, this man’s trip, on the pretext of seeing his mother, disquieted him. . . .  On what mission had Doctor Julius von Hartrott come to Paris? . . .

“Well, then,” asked Desnoyers, “why so many diplomatic interviews?  Why does the German government intervene at all—­although in such a lukewarm way—­in the struggle between Austria and Servia. . . .  Would it not be better to declare war right out?”

The professor replied with simplicity:  “Our government undoubtedly wishes that the others should declare the war.  The role of outraged dignity is always the most pleasing one and justifies all ulterior resolutions, however extreme they may seem.  There are some of our people who are living comfortably and do not desire war.  It is expedient to make them believe that those who impose it upon us are our enemies so that they may feel the necessity of defending themselves.  Only superior minds reach the conviction of the great advancement that can be accomplished by the sword alone, and that war, as our grand Treitschke says, is the highest form of progress.”

Again he smiled with a ferocious expression.  Morality, from his point of view, should exist among individuals only to make them more obedient and disciplined, for morality per se impedes governments and should be suppressed as a useless obstacle.  For the State there exists neither truth nor falsehood; it only recognizes the utility of things.  The glorious Bismarck, in order to consummate the war with France, the base of German grandeur, had not hesitated to falsify a telegraphic despatch.