II
GERMAN AMBITIONS[ToC]
Expansion in Europe.
(Before the War.)
192. Germany cannot be suspected of wishing for war.... She covets no possession of her neighbours. Any one who says that she does, slanders her.—Manifesto of the German Defence League, March, 1913. Nippold, D.C., p. 85.
192a. A developing, onward-striving people like ourselves requires new land for its energies, and if peace will not secure it, then only war remains. To arouse people to a realization of this fact was the mission of the Defence League.—General v. Wrochem, at meeting of German Defence League, Danzig, March, 1913. Nippold, D.C., p. 84.
192b. It is precisely our craving for expansion that drives us into the paths of conquest, and in view of which all chatter about peace and humanity can and must remain nothing but chatter.—J.L. Reimer, E.P.D., p. 154.
193. A new period of progress towards unification is possible only by means of a great and courageous policy, which should lead to victorious wars, and if possible to the territorial expansion of the Empire.—D.B.B., p. 202.