登陆注册
5236800000050

第50章 CHAPTER XI THE SHADOW OF WAR(4)

But it is of importance to know that the opinion stated here to-night is the opinion held by the whole body of the German people from the Kaiser to the lowest peasant in the Empire. The universal conviction throughout that Empire is that not only is Germany the greatest nation on earth, but that it has a divine mission to confer her own peculiar quality of civilisation upon the other nations of Europe, and indeed upon the whole world. We might not quarrel with Germany for cherishing this pleasing opinion in regard to herself, but when this opinion is wrought into a purpose to dominate the whole world in order that this mission might be accomplished the thing takes on a somewhat serious aspect. Let me repeat, Germany is a great nation, marvellously organised in every department of her life, agricultural, manufacturing, educational, commercial. But to what intent? What is the purpose dominating this marvellous organisation? The purpose, Ladies and Gentlemen, is war. The supreme industry of the German nation is the manufacturing of a mighty war machine. I challenge the gentleman who has just spoken to deny either of these statements, that Germany believes that she has a definite mission to lift up the other nations of Europe to her own high level and that to fulfil this mission it is necessary that she be in a position of control."The speaker paused for a moment or two. "He cannot deny these because he knows they are true. The second thing I wish to say is that the Kaiser means war and is waiting only for the favourable moment. I believe it is correct to say that for many years after his accession to the throne he used his influence on the side of peace, but I have every reason to believe that for some years past he has cherished another purpose, the purpose of war."At this point Switzer sprang to his feet and cried, "I challenge the truth of that statement. Modern European history proves it to be false, and again and again the Kaiser has prevented war. So much is this the case that the trustees of the only European fund that recognises distinguished service in the interests of peace bestowed upon the Kaiser the Nobel Prize.""That is quite true," replied Mr. Romayne. "But let me recall to this young man's mind a few facts. In 1875 Bismarck was determined to make war upon France. He was prevented by the united action of England and Russia. Germany made the same attempt in '87 and '91.

In 1905 so definite was the threat of war that France avoided it only by dismissing her war minister, Delcasse. Perhaps my young friend remembers the Casablanca incident in 1908 where again the Kaiser threatened France with war. Indeed, for the last twenty years, even while he was doubtless anxious to maintain peace, he has been rattling his sword in his scabbard and threatening war against the various nations of Europe. In most of these cases even when he wanted peace he bluffed with threats of war. Then came the Agadir incident in 1911 when once more the Kaiser bluffed. But Great Britain called his bluff that time and the great War Lord had to back down with great loss of prestige not only with his own people but with the whole of Europe. It hurt the Kaiser to think that any nation in Europe should move in any direction without his consent. Agadir taught him that he must quit bluffing or make up his mind to fight."Again Switzer was upon his feet. "This is a slanderous falsehood,"he cried. "How does this man know?"

"I happened to be there," was the quiet reply.

"How do we know?" again cried Switzer.

"Will you kindly repeat that remark?" said Mr. Romayne quietly.

"I believe this statement," shouted Switzer, "to be a slanderous falsehood.""If you accuse me of falsehood," said Romayne even more quietly, "that is a matter of which we shall not discuss here, but later.

But these statements that I have made are history. All Germany knows, all Europe knows, that at Agadir the Kaiser backed down. He was not ready to fight, and he lost prestige by it. When Italy, one of the Triple Alliance, went to war against Turkey without consulting him, this lowered still further German prestige. In the late Balkan War Germany was again humiliated. She backed the wrong horse. Her protege and pupil in war, Turkey, was absolutely beaten. These things convince me that Germany knows that her hope of dominating Europe is rapidly waning, and she believes that this hope can only be realised by war and, therefore, I repeat that the Kaiser and his people are only waiting a favourable moment to launch war upon Europe and more particularly upon the British Empire, which, along with the great American democracy, stands between her and the realisation of her dream.""The British Empire!" cried Switzer scornfully as Romayne took his seat, "the British Empire! at the first stern blow this ramshackle empire will fall to pieces. Then Great Britain will be forced to surrender her robber hold upon these great free states which she has stolen and which she now keeps in chains." (Cries of "Never!""Rot!" "Shut your trap!") Switzer sprang to his feet and, shaking his fist in their faces, cried: "I know what I am saying. This you will see before many months have passed."Again Romayne rose to his feet and waited till a silence fell upon the audience. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he said solemnly, "this German officer knows what he is talking about. That Germany within a few months will make her supreme attempt to smash the British Empire I believe is certain. I am equally certain that the result of that attempt will not be what this gentleman anticipates and desires."For some moments the silence remained unbroken. Then young Monteith sprang to his feet and led the audience in a succession of mad cheers that indicated the depth of passion to which they were stirred. After the cheering had subsided Larry rose and in a slightly querulous tone and with a humorous smile upon his face he said:

"Mr. Chairman, don't you think we are becoming unnecessarily serious? And are there not certain things on which we all agree?

同类推荐
  • Notes

    Notes

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • MARIA

    MARIA

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 女子丹经汇编

    女子丹经汇编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 飞空大钵法

    飞空大钵法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 读素问钞

    读素问钞

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 我们都是自己的人生引路人

    我们都是自己的人生引路人

    所有你渴望的想要的,没有一样是可以轻易得到的,这就是我们要努力的理由。我们成长的公平在于,每个人都会见识到现实的残酷,每个人都会在经受世事淬炼之后变得温润。你要试着将所有喜怒哀乐渐渐调成静音,变成一个不动声色的大人。本书是写给千万年轻人的心理治愈大书,希望他们能把喧嚣芜杂的俗世活得睿智而淡然。54篇文章,54次与自己内心的和解。这世界没有什么好怕的,你要过的人生,由你自己去闯去拼。待我们经历过才明白,人生哪有什么指明灯,哪有什么人生导师?
  • 恰如清风知我意

    恰如清风知我意

    她,世人眼中不学无术的非主流纨绔少女。他,传闻中冷血无情,腹黑霸道,不近女色的高冷大神。【初见】“帅哥,你长得这么好看,打个商量。你看啊,我又有钱,还有颜,出身又好,跟着我可以让你在整个S市横着走,你又不吃亏,你看看怎么样啊?”她醉醺醺地坐在他对面。他笑的优雅,玩味地看着她“小姐,在这种地方和一个男人说这种话可很危险。”后来,他因她卸下那优雅的疏离,本以为惹得是青铜,却原来是个王者。【还是那句话,不是成长文,不喜勿喷,女主叶枫,男主云辞亦。】
  • 一根水做的绳子

    一根水做的绳子

    这是一部化腐朽为神奇的爱情小说,就像作者在后记里说的炒鹅卵石下酒一样。水做的绳子是什么样的绳子?这只有通过人物的爱情和命运才可以得到解释。阿香十六岁的时候就把身子给了老师李貌,但他们的爱却是疼痛的……作家鬼子是一位叙述故事的奇才,他的故事总是与众不同,他的文笔充满了悲悯,他的细节直人人心,他知道读者的心在哪里,也知道人物的心在哪里,让你缠绵,让你惊醒,让你震撼,让你沉思,尤其关于小人物的爱情……
  • 腹黑大神的医师妻

    腹黑大神的医师妻

    人前,她是一个计算机系的计算机小白,他却是一个法律系的IT高手;她是一个硬把西施穿成东施的邋遢美女,他却是一个顶着校草头衔的冷漠帅哥。游戏中,她是一个连跑位都不会的悲催奶妈,他却是第一个满级的游戏大神。只是网恋失恋以后被人拉进游戏,有谁告诉她,为什么会在游戏里和大神有绯闻?不要啊,我不要再网恋!什么?是她主动的?不可能?什么?还一起双修?不就是双修么,谁没有双修过,纳尼,大神没有?我连名字都没有看清啊…被众多大神的粉丝追杀,你们等着,老虎不发威,你们还当我是病猫。怎么发威?当然是逃啦!可是谁来告诉她,眼前那个发着赤裸裸的RMB光辉的人,就是大神么?可不可以不要救我,让我死了吧…本文是网游文,结局一对一亲们有任何意见和建议,欢迎留言,谢谢!
  • 农家女逆袭路

    农家女逆袭路

    懦弱姑娘穿越到古代为农家女爹娘不爱,哥嫂不疼,一穿越就被嫁为人妻,夫妻离心,更要把她卖入勾栏,如果在古代生存真难
  • 穿越之贪吃上上签

    穿越之贪吃上上签

    美食,减压的良方……旅游,尝遍美食的捷径。为了品尝喜欢酒店新出的菜品,被疾驰的车撞飞了出去,苦逼的穿越到了吃都吃不饱的地方……清清灵溪畔,茫茫大森林,身担重负,不畏曲折坎坷,千辛万险,用她的热情和智慧引领着众生缔造了崭新辉煌的女权王土,无国可比,无人可寻的世外桃源之国........
  • 重生之霸道总裁的异能千金

    重生之霸道总裁的异能千金

    她是慕氏千金慕雪曼,同时也是幻魅组织的女王“魅”,她绝顶聪明却因为被男友和闺蜜背叛而死去。当她再次睁开眼,她已不再是慕雪曼,她成了性格孤僻,胆小懦弱的冷氏千金冷雪伊。性格孤僻?胆小懦弱?这些跟她会沾得上边?她逆天改命,有异能,虐渣男渣女,当学霸,做女王,创公司,成为无数男人眼中的女神。他长相俊美,性格冷漠,他狂妄,霸道,却唯独爱上了她。他霸道的对她说:“女人,你注定是我的,你,逃不掉。”她冷道:“谁规定的?我的命运我决定,谁也别想干扰。”他冷漠霸道,却对她百般宠溺。她事事不怕,却对他无能为力。他们会发生什么故事呢?
  • 《论语》中不可不知的人生哲理

    《论语》中不可不知的人生哲理

    《〈论语〉中不可不知的人生哲理》主要内容:《论语》是一部记录孔子言行的语录。一般人或许会想,记录孔子言行的书有什么好看的。圣人嘛,一定一天到晚道貌岸然,玩深沉,装伟大,其一言一行也必定乏味之极。如果你也这样想,那就错了。看完《论语》,你会发现孔子与一般人也没有什么两样,其一言一行也是非常平易近人、和蔼可亲的。
  • 奉和袭美酬前进士崔

    奉和袭美酬前进士崔

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Songs of Travel

    Songs of Travel

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。