GERMAN "KULTUR"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2365, 22 January 1915, Page 6

GERMAN "KULTUR"

REPLY OF THE FRENCH BNmSlTffiS' PROTEST (By Heloerflsli.-PreM Awoetetioa.) Auckland, January 21. The EVench Universities recently replied to; the protest issued by the German Universities against the accusations made with reference to their country-in connection with the war. A copy of the letter, which is addressed to the universities of neutral countries,- has . been received by Monsieur Julien Rigoreau. French Consul at Auckland. The .only answer of the French Universities, the document states, will tako the form of the few following questions: 1 , Who has-brought about the war? Who, during .the short respite left to deliberation of Europe, have tried their utmost to, find conciliatory formulas? Who, on the other hand, have refused all means proposed in turn by England, Russia, France, and Italy? e , Who, at .the. precise moment when the conflict seemed to be subsided, has let loose the war, just as if a propitious ioccasion had been expected and looked forward to?

Who 1 has violated the neutrality of Belgium after having given a pledge to guarantee it?

: Who declared that neutrality is but a mere word, that treaties are only scrapa, of. paper, .and .that in time of war it is every man for himself? Who has disregarded' international conventions by which signatory Powers had pledged themselves not to use in making war any forcible means which might constitute a barbaric or a perfidie and,bound themselves 1 to respect historical-buildings; religious, scientific, or charitable institutions,; unless theenemy_ led the way to such destruction by using, them . first for ■ military purpose? .i: , ;

In what circumstances was the University of Louvaiu destroyed?

In what circumstances was the Cathedral of Reims burnt down? '

In what circumstances .were incendiary bombs dropped on Notre Dame in Paris? . -

Facts are a sufficient answer to these questions. > You -an ' already consult documents. published by diplomatic chancellencs. tho .results of inquests held by neutral countries, the evidence found in German notebooks, and furthermore the testimony of ruinß in Belgium and France. Against them it is no use, as the German men. of science did, to give to these evidenoes a .flat denial,'based only on their honour; it is not sufficient to say, as the German Uiiiversities are doing, "You know our teaching. It Cannot Tiring up a nation of barbarians.". Wo know the value of this teaching, but we have seen : also how; breaking.away from German.traditions which: brought forth such men as Leibnitz, .Kant, and Goethe, the German "culture" has been enslaved by Prussian militarism and carried away by •it. pretends to a 'universal supremacy. There are countless proofs of this pretension.y Quite recently a professor of the Leipzig University wrote: "All culture in Europfe is for' the future dependent on us:"; ! On their -part, tho Universities' of France hold that civilisation is not de-pendent--on one nation alone, but is derived from all nations, and that culture and moral beauty are the result of over-changing variety and . the dependence of the. genius of all countries. Like the Allies, the French Universities take upon themselves the work of defending,the liberty''of the,world..