These are questions of high politics with which I have nothing to do. In my opinion, so far as our trade is concerned, all interests are subordinated to one that is paramount, namely, that Germany be respected and feared, but so far as possible without being hated, in the world. Therefore the mercantile class has a vital interest in seeing the safety of the empire assured in the ways understood by those who are responsible for it. Ferdinand Laeisz Chairman of the Hamburg Board of Trade I cannot assent to the general notion that armies prepared for battle are unproductive. Armies are a protection to the nations against attacks.... The idea of disarmament is unfortunate. We should be glad that slouchy men can be trained in a manly education. Reinhold Begas, Sculptor This noble enthusiasm will miscarry, just as in 1890 the International Assembly of Workingmen did under Emperor William’s auspices. A mighty state will never, without a struggle, submit to a verdict which offends its rights or merely its essential desires. A glance at the map is sufficient: our empire can resist the ever-possible double attack of France and Russia only by having all its powers in readiness. I do not waste time thinking of Utopias. France lays down as a condition for every debate the return of the imperial lands; we lay down as our condition the exclusion of every discussion of this question. I think this is a sufficient answer. The talk of the private friends of peace is mere nonsense; the Tsar’s advocacy of peace is perhaps a stimulus to war. Felix Dahn Gastein, on the anniversary of Sedan (September 2, 1870) The present proposal of Tsarish Russia for disarmament is a fraud. W. Liebknecht The stronger the armaments the greater the fear of assuming the responsibility of starting a war. Disarmament would make wars more frequent. Reduction of the present force would withdraw a part of the people from the school of military discipline and very generally diminish their efficiency.... The vital questions of the nations will always be settled by war. Germany must always lead the great powers in its armaments, because it is the only country that has three great powers as neighbors and may at any time be exposed to the danger of waging war on three frontiers. With the increasing solidarity of states, wars will naturally become more and more infrequent. It is a dream to expect anything more, and not even a beautiful dream; for with the guaranty of perpetual peace the degeneracy of mankind would be confirmed. Dr. Eduard von Hartmann