f this German pride.

"Germany's course throughout has borne all the earmarks of a national
ego-mania. The whole German people, as a nation, not always, perhaps, as
individuals, have fallen victim to the most colossal attack of ego-mania
which the world ever has known.

"Combine this ego-mania with another delusion--the entirely unjustified
conclusion that Germany was the object of a worldwide persecution--and
it is unnecessary to search further for the causes of the war, just as
it is unnecessary to search further for reasons for the combination of
practically all other Europe against Germany.

"What would German victory mean to the world, if German victory came,
save the worldwide dominance of German egotism, imposed at the expense
of every other people? France would not escape, England would not
escape, and, I assure you, you, America, would not escape. German
victory would be far more than a European disaster--it would be a world
disaster.

"Of all the nations in the world perhaps the United States and France
have stood most notably for the ideas of international justice. This
really makes your interest in the outcome of the present war indirectly
as great as ours.

"I cannot see how the people of the United States can feel otherwise
than that not only their hearts but their reason demands victory for the
Allies, not because of any wish for the destruction of Germany, but
because of the wish for the preservation of the world.

"Indeed, it is inconceivable that victory for the Allies can mean
destruction for Germany. It can mean only the destruction of German
militarism, which has brought about the perversion of the German mind.

"No abler mind exists. Its release from the thralldom which has fettered
it would be a vast world service, would, indeed, be a vast benefit to
Germany herself. It is curious, but true, that I believe Germany's own
salvation depends upon her absolute defeat in this great war.

"A few weeks before the war began Prof. Schucking expressed regret that
Germany--that is, the German Government--should be so antagonistic to
international spirit. The fact that he made this expression shows that,
in spite of and beyond military Germany, the intellectual elite, the
cream of the elite in Germany, has remained faithful to the traditions
of the great philosopher, Kant.

"The intellectual elite--the cream of the elite--therefore may be
absolved from all responsibility. Loyalty to the teachings of