The Major [100]
With a perfectly serious face he will attribute to himself and to his nation all the virtues in the calendar. For instance, listen to this:
"'Domination belongs to Germany because it is a superior nation, a noble race, and it is fitting that it should control its neighbours just as it is the right and duty of every individual endowed with superior intellect and force to control inferior individuals about him.'
"Here's another choice bit:
"'We are the superior race in the fields of science and of art. We are the best colonists, the best sailors, the best merchants.'
"That's one thing. Then here's another. For many years after his accession I believe the Kaiser was genuinely anxious to preserve the peace of Europe and tried his best to do so, though I am bound to say that at times he adopted rather peculiar methods, a mingling of bullying and intrigue. But now since 1904--just hand me that thin book, please. Thank you--the Kaiser has changed his tone. For instance, listen to this:
"'God has called us to civilise the world. We are the missionaries of human progress.'
"And again this:
"'The German people will be the block of granite on which our Lord will be able to elevate and achieve the civilisation of the world.'
"But I need not weary you with quotations. The political literature of Germany for the last fifteen years is saturated with this spirit. The British people dismiss this with a good-natured smile of contempt. To them it is simply an indication of German bad breeding. If you care I shall have a number of these books sent you. They are somewhat difficult to get. Indeed, some of them cannot be had in English at all. But you read German, do you not? Kathleen told me about your German prize."
"I do, a little. But I confess I prefer the English," said Jane with a little laugh.
"The chief trouble, however, is that so few English-speaking people care to read them. But I assure you that the one all-absorbing topic of the German people is this one of Germany's manifest destiny to rule and elevate the world. And remember these two things go together. They have no idea of dominating the world intellectually or even commercially--but perhaps you are sick of this."
"Not at all. I am very greatly interested," said Jane.
"Then I shall just read you one thing more. The German has no idea that he can benefit a nation until he conquers it. Listen to this:
"'The dominion of German thought can only be extended under the aegis of political power, and unless we act in conformity to this idea we shall be untrue to out great duties toward the human race.'"
"I shall be very glad to get those books," said Jane, "and I wish you would mark some of these passages. And I promise you I shall do all I can to make all my friends read them. I shall begin with Papa and Larry. They are always making fun of me and my German scare."
"I can quite understand that," replied Jack. "That is a very common attitude with a great majority of the people of England to- day. But you see I have been close to these things for years, and I have personal knowledge of many of the plans and purposes in the minds of the German Kaiser and the political and military leaders of Germany, and unhappily I know too the spirit that dominates the whole body of the German people."
"You lived in Germany for some years?"
"Yes, for a number of years."
"And did you like the life there?"
"In many ways I did. I met some charming Germans, and then there is always their superb music."
And for an hour Jack Romayne gave his listener a series of vivid pictures of his life in Germany and in other lands for the past ten years, mingling with personal reminiscences incidents connected with international politics and personages. He talked well, not only because his subject was a part of himself, but also because Jane possessed that rare ability to listen with intelligence and sympathy. Never had she met with a man who had been in such intimate touch with the world's Great Affairs and who was possessed at the
"'Domination belongs to Germany because it is a superior nation, a noble race, and it is fitting that it should control its neighbours just as it is the right and duty of every individual endowed with superior intellect and force to control inferior individuals about him.'
"Here's another choice bit:
"'We are the superior race in the fields of science and of art. We are the best colonists, the best sailors, the best merchants.'
"That's one thing. Then here's another. For many years after his accession I believe the Kaiser was genuinely anxious to preserve the peace of Europe and tried his best to do so, though I am bound to say that at times he adopted rather peculiar methods, a mingling of bullying and intrigue. But now since 1904--just hand me that thin book, please. Thank you--the Kaiser has changed his tone. For instance, listen to this:
"'God has called us to civilise the world. We are the missionaries of human progress.'
"And again this:
"'The German people will be the block of granite on which our Lord will be able to elevate and achieve the civilisation of the world.'
"But I need not weary you with quotations. The political literature of Germany for the last fifteen years is saturated with this spirit. The British people dismiss this with a good-natured smile of contempt. To them it is simply an indication of German bad breeding. If you care I shall have a number of these books sent you. They are somewhat difficult to get. Indeed, some of them cannot be had in English at all. But you read German, do you not? Kathleen told me about your German prize."
"I do, a little. But I confess I prefer the English," said Jane with a little laugh.
"The chief trouble, however, is that so few English-speaking people care to read them. But I assure you that the one all-absorbing topic of the German people is this one of Germany's manifest destiny to rule and elevate the world. And remember these two things go together. They have no idea of dominating the world intellectually or even commercially--but perhaps you are sick of this."
"Not at all. I am very greatly interested," said Jane.
"Then I shall just read you one thing more. The German has no idea that he can benefit a nation until he conquers it. Listen to this:
"'The dominion of German thought can only be extended under the aegis of political power, and unless we act in conformity to this idea we shall be untrue to out great duties toward the human race.'"
"I shall be very glad to get those books," said Jane, "and I wish you would mark some of these passages. And I promise you I shall do all I can to make all my friends read them. I shall begin with Papa and Larry. They are always making fun of me and my German scare."
"I can quite understand that," replied Jack. "That is a very common attitude with a great majority of the people of England to- day. But you see I have been close to these things for years, and I have personal knowledge of many of the plans and purposes in the minds of the German Kaiser and the political and military leaders of Germany, and unhappily I know too the spirit that dominates the whole body of the German people."
"You lived in Germany for some years?"
"Yes, for a number of years."
"And did you like the life there?"
"In many ways I did. I met some charming Germans, and then there is always their superb music."
And for an hour Jack Romayne gave his listener a series of vivid pictures of his life in Germany and in other lands for the past ten years, mingling with personal reminiscences incidents connected with international politics and personages. He talked well, not only because his subject was a part of himself, but also because Jane possessed that rare ability to listen with intelligence and sympathy. Never had she met with a man who had been in such intimate touch with the world's Great Affairs and who was possessed at the