ying
force of the _Wehrvereine_ [defense leagues] and other
associations of Young Germany.

"Others again want war from a mystic hatred of revolutionary
France; others, finally, from a feeling of rancor. These last the
people who heap up pretexts for war.

"Coming to actual facts, these feelings take concrete form as
follows: The country squires, represented in the Reichstag by the
Conservative party, want at all costs to escape the death duties,
which are bound to come if peace continues. In the last sitting
of the session which has just closed the Reichstag agreed to
these duties in principle. It is a serious attack on the
interests and privileges of the landed gentry. On the other hand,
this aristocracy is military in character, and it is instructive
to compare the Army List with the Year Book of the nobility. War
alone can prolong its prestige and support its family interest.
During the discussions on the Army Bill a Conservative speaker
put forward the need for promotion among officers as an argument
in its favor. Finally this social class, which forms a hierarchy
with the King of Prussia as its supreme head, realizes with dread
the democratization of Germany and the increasing power of the
Socialist party, and considers its own days numbered. Not only
does a formidable movement hostile to agrarian protection
threaten its material interests, but in addition the number of
its political representatives decreases with each legislative
period. In the Reichstag of 1878, out of 397 members, 162
belonged to the aristocracy; in 1898, 83; in 1912, 57. Out of
this number 27 alone belong to the Right, 14 to the Center, 7 to
the Left, and 1 sits among the Socialists.

"The higher bourgeoisie, represented by the National Liberal
party, the party of the contented spirits, have not the same
reasons as the squires for wanting war. With a few exceptions,
however, they are bellicose. They have their reasons, social in
character.

"The higher bourgeoisie is no less troubled than the aristocracy
at the democratization of Germany. In 1871 they had 125 members
in the Reichstag; in 1874, 55; in 1887, 99; in 1912, 45. They do
not forget that in the years succeeding the war they played the
leading role in Parliament, helping Bismarck in his schemes