[26] This war will be the greatest stain on the history of Europe!
[27] “Upon what nation, in days to come, will the verdict of ‘guilty’ be passed by the tribunal of world history? One thing, at least, is certain. Germany can look forward to the verdict with a clear conscience.” (Otto von Gierke, Internationale Monatschrift für Wissenschaft, Kunst, und Technik, November 1, 1914, 3rd Kriegsheft, “Deutsches Recht und Deutsche Kraft.”) At this identical time, the Protestant theologians of England, in the celebrated letter they sent to Adolf von Harnack, assured that illustrious German historian and personal friend of William II: “Doch wir sind der festen Ueberzeugung, dass Grossbritannien in diesem Kampfe für Recht und Gewissen; für Europa, die Menschheit und dauernden Frieden fecht.” [“We are, however, firmly convinced that, in this struggle, Great Britain is fighting for right and conscience, for Europe, humanity, and permanent peace.”] It is a remarkable fact that throughout Europe every one has a “clear conscience”!
[28] The German authorities subsequently rifled all the notebooks containing “memoirs.” It was only by continued stratagems that I was able to save part of my own.
The Vandals have taken Berlin! Oh, what a spectacle!
The pagans are at Danzig! The Mongols at Breslau!
In my mind all this rises simultaneously,
Pell-mell, as chance wills; it is horrible!… O shame!…
Germany, Germany, Germany.… Alas!