Intelligence and enterprise of the Germans 149 They are nevertheless devoted to their own institutions 150 German system is not reactionary but the reverse 151 Experts are honoured and trusted 151 German esteem for men of learning 152 And for the military caste 153 And for their Kaiser 155 German contempt for party government 156 And for the character of British official news 157 And for the failure of the British Government to trust the people 160 And for its fear of asking the people to make sacrifices 161 And for the voluntary system 162 Their pride in the successes of German arms 163 And in the number and spirit of their new levies 163 Which they contrast with British recruiting 164 The methods of which they despise 165 What is meant by 'a popular basis' of government? 166 CHAPTER VII THE CONFLICTS OF SYSTEMS AND IDEAS Two issues between England and Germany 167 Democracy cannot endure unless capable of self-defence 168 Democracy good and bad 169 Self-criticism may be carried too far 171 The two dangers of democracy--German _Arms_ and German _Ideas_ 173 Fundamental opposition between the spirit of German policy and our own 173 German people have not accepted the moral ideas of their priesthood 174 Recantation among 'the brethren' themselves on outbreak of war 175 The cult of war 176 PART III THE SPIRIT OF BRITISH POLICY CHAPTER I A REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD (JANUARY 1901-JULY 1914)