The wrong--I speak openly--that we are committing we will endeavor to make good as soon as our military goal has been reached. Anybody who is threatened as we are threatened, and is fighting for his highest possessions, can have only one thought--how is he to hack his way through. VON BETHMANN-HOLLWEG. _Reichstag, August 4, 1915._ With a clear conscience Germany goes to the battlefield. THE KAISER, _August, 1914_. [Illustration] "_THIS IS HOW I DEAL WITH SMALL FRY_" We are now in a state of necessity, and necessity knows no law. Our troops have occupied Luxemburg and perhaps are already on Belgian soil. _Gentlemen, that is contrary to the dictates of international law._ It is true that the French Government has declared at Brussels that France is willing to respect the neutrality of Belgium, so long as her opponent respects it. We knew, however, that France stood ready for invasion. France could wait, but we could not wait. A French movement upon our flank upon the lower Rhine might have been disastrous. So we were compelled to override the just protest of the Luxemburg and Belgian Governments. VON BETHMANN-HOLLWEG, _Reichstag, Berlin, 4th August, '14._ [Illustration] _GOTT MITT UNS_ Remember that the German people are the chosen of God. On me, the German Emperor, the spirit of God has descended. I am His sword, His weapon and His vicegerent. Woe to the disobedient and death to cowards and unbelievers. _From_ THE KAISER'S _speech to his soldiers on the way to the front._ [Illustration] _SATAN'S PARTNER_ _Bernhardi: "War is as divine as eating and drinking"_ _Satan: "Here is a partner for me"_ The inevitableness, the idealism, the blessing of war as an indispensable and stimulating law of development must be repeatedly emphasized. ... War is the greatest factor in the furtherance of culture and power. Efforts to secure peace are extraordinarily detrimental as soon as they influence politics. ... Efforts directed toward the abolition of war are not only foolish, but absolutely immoral, and must be stigmatized as unworthy of the human race. ... In fact, the State is a law unto itself. Weak nations have not the same right to live as powerful and vigorous nations. _"Germany and the Next War. 1911."_ GEN. VON BERNHARDI. [Illustration] _MON FILS. BELGIUM, 1914_ "_Ah! was your boy among the twelve this morning? Then you'll find him among this lot_" When the German cavalry occupied the village of Linsmeau not a man of the civilian population took part in the fighting. Nevertheless the village was invaded at dusk on August 10 and all the male inhabitants were compelled to come forward and hand over whatever arms they possessed. No recently discharged firearms were found. The invaders divided these peasants in three groups, those in one were bound, and 11 of them placed in a ditch, where they were afterwards found dead.