The subjoined letter from Berlin, published originally in the Swedish Goteborgs Handels-Tidnung of Oct. 26, 1914, was immediately translated by the British Legation in Stockholm—­this is the official English translation—­and sent by the legation to Sir Edward Grey.  THE NEW YORK TIMES CURRENT HISTORY is informed from a trustworthy source that the article is interpreted in London as expressing the real aims of Germany at the end of the war, should that power be successful.  The founding of a commercial United States of Europe by means of an economical organization with new “buffer” States to be created between the German Empire and Russia, and with the other smaller European States, would be, according to this interpretation, the purpose of Germany at the conclusion of a victorious war.  The passage in the Berlin correspondent’s letter declaring that only such an enormous central European customs union, in the opinion of leading German statesmen, “could hold the United States of North America at bay” in order that, after this present war, the “world would only have to take into account two first-class powers, viz., Germany and the United States of America,” is of peculiar interest to Americans.

BERLIN, Oct. 21.

Counting one’s chickens before they are hatched is a pardonable failing with nations carrying on war with the feeling that their all is at stake.  When sorrow is a guest of every household, when monetary losses cause depression, and the cry arises time after time, “What will be the outcome of all this?” then only the fairest illusions and the wildest flights of fancy can sustain the courage of the masses.

These illusions are not only egotistical but, curiously enough, altruistic, since mankind, even when bayoneting their fellow-creatures, want to persuade themselves and others that this is done merely for the benefit of their adversary.  In accordance with this idea, in the opinion of all parties, the war will be brought to an end with an increase of power for their native country, as also a new Eden prevail throughout the whole civilized world.

The enemies of Germany, though they have hitherto suffered an almost unbroken series of reverses in the war, have already thoroughly thrashed out the subject as to what the world will look like when Germany is conquered.  In German quarters the press has likewise painted the future, but the following lines are not intended to increase the row of fancy portraits, but merely to throw light on what is new in the demands conceived.

My representations are founded on special information, and I deem it best to make them now, when the most fantastic descriptions of the all-absorbing desire of conquest on the part of Germany have circulated in the press of the entire world.

Among other absurdities it has been declared that Germany intends to claim a fourth of France, making this dismembered country a vassal State, bound to the triumphal car of the conqueror by the very heaviest chains.  It is incredible, but true, that such a statement has been made in the press by a Frenchman, formerly President of the Council.