What Germany Thinks | Page 2

we have (and
with justice) made fun of Austria's lack of energy. Now we have a
proof of energy which terrifies us. This 'note' represents about the very
uttermost which can be said to any government, and such things are
only said when the sender of the 'note' has absolutely determined upon
war."
The principal organ of Germany's largest political party, the Social
Democrats, contained a still more emphatic protest on July 25th. A

telegram from the Belgrade correspondent of the _Vorwärts_ runs:
"Since the presentation of Austria's note, public opinion has become
exceedingly serious, although the city is still very calm. The general
view held is that Austria's ultimatum is unacceptable for a sovereign
State. In Belgrade no one doubts that Russia will stand by Serbia.
Everyone is certain that in consequence of Austria's excessively sharp
tone, Russia will not remain inactive should Austria resort to armed
force. The populace is prepared for war."
In view of the subsequent attitude of Germany's Social Democrats, an
official proclamation, published in all their seventy-seven daily papers
on July 25th, is of supreme importance. At that date they had
apparently no doubt whatever as to the guilty party. The change of front
in the Reichstag on August 4th would seem in the light of this
proclamation, as nothing other than a betrayal of conscience. Further,
the split which has arisen in their ranks during the war leads to the
supposition that Liebknecht, Kautsky and Bernstein have been troubled
by the inward voice.
This is the full text of the proclamation as it appeared in the
_Vorwärts_:
"An Appeal! The Balkan plains are still steaming with the blood of
thousands of murdered; the ruins of desolate towns and devastated
villages are still smoking after the Balkan War; hungry, workless men,
widowed women and orphan children are still wandering through the
land, and yet again Austria's Imperialism unchains the War Fury to
bring death and destruction over all Europe.
"Even if we condemn the doings of the Greater-Serbian Nationalists,
still the wicked war-provocation of the Austro-Hungarian Government
calls forth the most stinging protest. The demands made by this
government are so brutal, that in the history of the world their like has
never been presented to an independent State, and they can only be
calculated to provoke war.
"Germany's proletariat, conscious of its mission, raises herewith, in the
name of humanity and civilization, the most fervent protest against this

criminal action of the war party (_Kriegshetzer_). It (the Social
Democratic Party) demands imperatively that the German Government
should exercise all its influence on the Austrian Government to
preserve peace, and in case this infamous war cannot be prevented then
to abstain from any warlike interference. No single drop of blood of a
single German soldier may be sacrificed to gratify the lust for power of
the Austrian autocracy, the Imperial profit-interests.
"Comrades! we call upon you to give expression to the
working-classes' unshakable will for peace in mass meetings. This is a
serious moment, more solemn than any in the last few decades. There is
danger in delay. A world war threatens us. The ruling classes who
enslave, despise and exploit you in times of peace desire now to misuse
you as cannon-fodder. From all sides the cry must ring in the ears of
those in authority: We don't want war! Down with war!
"Long live international brotherhood!
"Berlin, July 25th, 1914.
"The Leaders of the Party."
Two days later the Leipziger Tageblatt announced that the Public
Prosecutor had commenced proceedings against the editors of
_Vorwärts_ for having distributed the above appeal in pamphlet form
in the streets of Berlin. From this fact we may conclude that the charges
thrown out by the Social Democratic Party were by no means congenial
to the plans of the German Government.
The Liberal Berliner Tageblatt (July 24th), gave its unreserved support
to Austria's action. "The Austrian Government has voiced its demands
in a calm and serious tone which contains nothing offensive to the
Serbian monarchy. Everyone who has considered the results of the
inquiry into the tragedy of Serajewo, and the burrowing of Serbian
propagandists in Austria, must give his absolute sanction to the latter's
demands. Much as every right-thinking man must desire that peace
should be preserved, still he must admit that Austria could not have
acted otherwise."

Even the Vossische Zeitung, the organ of army circles, was more
conservative in its judgment. In the issue for July 24th a leading article
runs: "It cannot be denied that nearly every point raised by Austria in
her note is an encroachment on Serbia's sovereign rights. Austria
appears as the policeman, who undertakes to create order in Serbia,
because the Serbian Government, according to Austria's claim, is
unable to hold in check those 'subversive elements' within its frontiers,
which disturb Austria's