Many times before 1870 the Prussians had made large gains, in the way of increased territory and prestige, by means of war.  It was the boast of many Prussian kings that each one of them had added to the lands over which he ruled.  In almost every instance this increase was due to a successful war, enabling the king of Prussia to seize territory which did not belong to him.

The indemnity which may be collected from a conquered nation is also a source of profit to the conqueror.  The money is deposited by the government in banks, which thus have large sums ready to lend to manufacturers and merchants who wish to increase their business.  The result of this is a great stimulation of manufactures and commerce.  In the case of Germany, the effect on industry of the $1,000,000,000 of indemnity which she received from France following the Franco-Prussian war was so great that Germany was soon manufacturing more than her people could consume, and German commercial agents spread all over the globe seeking to find profitable customers for the surplus.

On the other hand, the German leaders have failed to realize that the destruction of men and materials in war is always a great national loss.  In the case of a long war, the losses from these causes may, even for the victors, overbalance any advantage which may be secured in the way of territory or money from the vanquished nation.

Germany wanted land from her neighbors.—­The present war was largely the result of Germany’s desire to secure territory.  The territory that was particularly wanted was in a number of different places.

In the first place, Germany coveted the rest of the iron mines which she had made the mistake (from her point of view) of letting France keep in 1870.  These are located along the northeast frontier of France, about half a dozen miles from the boundary.  Germany wanted also the greater part of Belgium, because it has valuable iron ore deposits, and especially because it has great deposits of coal.  It has been said that without these mines of Belgian coal and of French iron, which Germany seized at the very beginning of the war, she would soon have had to give up the fight.

In the second place, Germany’s only ports are on the shallow north coast, and the channels are intricate and difficult of navigation.  These ports are inconveniently situated for exports from Germany’s chief manufacturing region, the lower Rhine valley.  The best ports for western Germany are Antwerp, in Belgium, and Rotterdam, in Holland.  Germany wanted a port toward the west through which she could more conveniently reach her customers in North and South America and elsewhere.  It is interesting to notice that the river Scheldt (skelt), on which Antwerp is situated, passes through Holland on its way to the sea.  Even if Germany secured Belgium this would not give her control of the Antwerp outlet nor would it give her Rotterdam.  It is certain that eventual domination of Holland was part of Germany’s plan.