THE WAR BOOK OF THE
GERMAN GENERAL STAFF
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I
THE GERMAN VIEW OF WAR
The ideal Prince, so Machiavelli has told us, need not, and indeed should not, possess virtuous qualities, but he should always contrive to appear to possess them.[1] The somber Florentine has been studied in Germany as he has been studied nowhere else and a double portion of his spirit has descended on the authors of this book. Herein the perfect officer, like the perfect Prince, is taught that it is more important to be thought humane than to practise humanity; the former may probably be useful but the latter is certainly inconvenient.
Hence the peculiar logic of this book which consists for the most part in ostentatiously laying down unimpeachable rules and then quietly destroying them by debilitating exceptions. The civil population of an invaded country—the young officer is reminded on one page—is to be left undisturbed in mind, body, and estate, their honor is to be inviolate, their lives protected, and their property secure. To compel them to assist the enemy is brutal, to make them betray their own country is inhuman. Such is the general proposition. Yet a little while and the Manual descends to particulars. Can the officer compel the peaceful inhabitants to give information about the strength and disposition of his country’s forces?[2] Yes, answers the German War Book, it is doubtless regrettable but it is often necessary. Should they be exposed to the fire of their own troops?[3] Yes; it may be indefensible, but its “main justification” is that it is “successful.” Should the tribute of supplies levied upon them be proportioned to their ability to pay it?[4] No; “this is all very well in theory but it would rarely be observed in practise.” Should the forced labor of the inhabitants be limited to works which are not designed to injure their own country?[5] No; this is an absurd distinction and impossible. Should prisoners of war be put to death? It is always “ugly” but it is sometimes expedient. May one hire an assassin, or corrupt a citizen, or incite an incendiary? Certainly; it may not be reputable (anständig), and honor may fight shy of it, but the law of war is less “touchy” (empfindlich). Should the women and children—the old and the feeble—be allowed to depart before a bombardment begins? On the contrary; their presence is greatly to be desired (ein Vortheil)—it makes the bombardment all the more effective. Should the civil population of a small and defenseless country be entitled to claim the right, provided they carry their arms openly and use them honorably, to defend their native land from the invader?[6] No; they act at their peril and must, however sudden and wanton the invasion, elaborate an organization or they will receive no quarter.[7]
We might multiply examples. But these are sufficient. It will be obvious that the German Staff are nothing if not casuists. In their brutality they are the true descendants of Clausewitz, the father of Prussian military tradition.
“Laws of war are self-imposed restrictions, almost imperceptible and hardly worth mentioning, termed ‘usages of war.’ Now philanthropists may easily imagine that there is a skilful method of disarming and overcoming an enemy without causing great bloodshed, and that this is the proper tendency of the art of war. However plausible this may appear, still it is an error which must be extirpated, for in such dangerous things as war the errors which proceed from the spirit of benevolence are the worst.... To introduce into the philosophy of war itself a principle of moderation would be an absurdity.... War is an act of violence which in its application knows no bounds.”[8]