Do the Judges of the Supreme Court of Civilization realize the almost super-human efforts in the interest of peace made by the German Emperor?  Russia has a start of five days, and on July 31 a start of six days.  Can we not hear all the military leaders imploring the Emperor not to hesitate any longer?  But in the interest of peace the Emperor delays.  He has kept the peace for Germany through the almost thirty years of his reign.  He prays to his God, in Whom he has placed his trust through all his upright life, with a fervor which has often brought him ridicule.  Also, he still believes in England, and hopes through her efforts to be able to keep the peace.  He waits another day.  A start of seven days for Russia!  The odds against Germany have grown tremendously.  At last he orders mobilization.  For a longer delay he would not have been able to answer to his country.  As it is, there are many people who blame him severely for having waited so long.

But William II. was right, for when the world will begin to realize the agonies through which he must have passed during these days of waiting, and the sacrifices he made in his effort to preserve peace, it will judge Germany rightly, and call the Emperor the great prince of peace that he is.

But, it has been said, why did he not avoid war, either by forcing Austria to yield to Russia, or, if she refused, by withdrawing from her?  In common with the whole of Germany, he probably felt that Austria’s position was right.  Servia herself, as has been seen above, did not claim that she was unjustly treated, whatever outsiders thought of Austria’s demands; and Austria was fully justified by past events in believing that it was with her a question of life and death.  Should Germany sacrifice her faithful friend under such circumstances, and for what?  For the arrogance of Russia, who would not “allow” her to re-establish her prestige in a righteous cause?  The word “righteous” is used advisedly, because in the early stages of the controversy nobody, not even Russia nor Servia herself, denied the justice of Austria’s demands.  The writer is informed that even the liberal English press found no fault with the course taken by Austria, although it commented adversely on the language used in the note.

What would have been the result of peace bought by Germany at such a cost?  It would have alienated her only faithful friend without laying the foundations for a lasting friendship with her opponents.  This at least was Germany’s honest belief.  She may have been wrong.  History more probably will call her right.  To desert Austria might have postponed the war, but when it would have come Germany would have stood alone, and, worse, she would have lost her self-respect.

This claim may sound strange in the ears of those who have just witnessed and will never forget the suffering of that beautiful little country, Belgium.  They hold that, since Germany invaded Belgium, it is Germany who broke a treaty and who is to blame.