THE GERMAN GOD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 147, 18 February 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE GERMAN GOD.

HOW PATRIOTISM HAS DISPLACED MORALITY.

In all the innumerable articles and books which have been written for or against Germany since the war started there Is (says an American observer) scarcely one clear statement of the fundamental assumptions which are made on the one hand by Germany and on the other hand by her opponents. Yet these two sets of assumptions are perfectly definite, and there Is all the difference in the ■world between them. It must always be remembered that Germany possesses a wonderful organisation, and that a wonderful organisation means, among other things, willing subordination. Thorough organisation, on the German plan, is not practicable in a country where the eoal-minera every now ;.nd then go on strike '.n the midst of a fight for existence and where a union of labour leaders acquaints the Government that they have decided to disobey certain orders should they be issued. We are not new dismissing the merits of this pjocedure; we are merely pointing out that it is incompatible with the spirit which permits complete national organisation. MACHINE-MADE PATRIOTISM. Owing to the German's everpresent consciousness, whether he be soldier, merchant, inventor, or what not, that he is a unit in a great machine, that he definitely fits in, that his activities are not random and unco-ordinated activities, he acquires :-tn enormously developed consciousness of the State. More than any other people, the Germans realise that they form part of a great State. Putting the matter briefly, and therefore with some over-emphasis, we may say that to an Englishman England is the country he lives in, while to .a German Germany is the conntty he lives for. (We are, of course, quoting the opinion of the American observer already referred to.) The aggressive patriotism of the German abroad has all the vigour of a religious devotee defending his faith. For by now the German's devotion to his country has changed almost to a worship of the State. Like other worshippers, he must have an idol, so he has invented an abstraction. It is a compound of all German virtues and aspirations, and it is called Deutsehland. In conversation with Germans it is a little difficult to get at the pre. cise significance they attach to this concept labelled Deutschland. Jt does not mean merely the Germany of the present; in some way it includes the Germany of the future —all that Germany is and all that it i s going to be. Xow this conception leads to a code of morality which differs from that of practically eveiy other nation. It gives the German a different set of moral assumptions. It is frequently said that certain German methods of warfare are dishonourable. But, granting the German point of view, it is plainly impossible to add to the wealth, importance, and power of Germany by dishonourable means; for any action which adds to the wealth, power, and importance of Germany is thereby honourable. The end (from the German point of view) entirely justifies the means, for by the proposed end are the means judged. The philosophy is not new, bit the scale on which it is practised is new. The opponents of Germany merely have a different philosophy. They believe that there are certain root principles of conduct, well expressed in a certain famous American document, to which not only individuals but also nations are subject. This belief is very general except in Germany. MORALITY JETTISONED. To the Germans all rules of morality are subject to the requirements of the State. The German (continues the American writer) is not, as some of his more frantic opponents have asserted, a conscienceless devil or an inhuman fiend. He is merely a worshipper of a new deity, whose name is Deutschland. Being ardent and thorough, he is willing to violate anybody else's code of morality in the defence and extension of his own. A man's actions must be judged by their motives. It is therefore irrelevant for the opponents of Germany to call the German wicked, although they may fairly describe him as, from their point of view, objectionable. A syctem of belief which exalts Germany abeve all the world and which only concedes to other nations a right to exist in so far a3 they directly or indirectly minister to tho power and glory of Germany might seem to a keen observer to have traces of egotism about it. To those who compare the scientific and artistic achievements of Germany with, say, those of France, it might even appear ridiculous. But its believers are no lukewarm lip-servers, and they testify to their belief in blood and iron. The Tsar of all the Russias has proclaimed a holy war. The French, British, and Italians all conceive themselves as fighting : 7 or the root principles of civilisation. Germany fights for Deutschland. This war is very largely idealistic. Besides fighting for territory, the control of the sea, and such like plain and material things, each man, at heart a mystic, i<s also fighting for his God.