oth or the
fragment of a bone. Applying to the German historian the method which
Cuvier applied to the antediluvian mastodon, we can reduce the whole
complex political philosophy of Treitschke from a few fundamental
principles which he follows with a single mind, and which the Prussian
State has applied with an equally relentless consistency both in its
internal and in its foreign policy.

It is this magnificent consistency, this confident dogmatism, which
gives us the secret of the enormous influence of Treitschke on his
countrymen, as it explains the hypnotism of Jean-Jacques Rousseau on a
previous generation. I do not think it would be easy to overestimate
the extent of that influence. It is true that in one sense
Treitschke's political philosophy only expresses the Prussian policy,
and that he did not create it. But when a political ideal is expounded
with such clarity and such force, when it is propagated with such
enthusiasm, when it takes such exclusive hold of the mind, it becomes
a hundred times more efficient and more dangerous; it acquires the
compelling force and inspires the fanaticism of religion. Those
readers who will follow Treitschke's close reasoning to the end will
probably agree with me that the political creed of which he has been
the apostle and prophet is substantially the same creed which has
plunged Europe into the present world war, and that, more than any one
thinker, much more certainly than Nietzsche, Treitschke must be held
responsible for the catastrophe.

I have confined myself to expounding the doctrines of Treitschke. I
have not attempted to refute them. It is not my object to denounce:
there is always a sufficient number of publicists ever ready to
undertake the task of denunciation. I am only trying to understand.
Nor have I dwelt on any side-issues. I have restricted myself to those
simple and fundamental axioms which have directed the policy of
Prussia. Almost invariably in human history it is only the simple,
sweeping dogmas which obtain universal acceptance.

I.--TREITSCHKE AS THE REPRESENTATIVE PRUSSIAN.

There exist in the realm of fiction certain literary types which are
an equal joy to the creative artist and to the student of human
nature. There are certain malignant diseases which are an inspiration
to the pathologist. And there are criminal cases which are a
revelation to the lawyer: test cases which lead up to new discoveries
and illustrate fundamental principles.