The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1914. A WAR OF AMBITION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 5, 24 August 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1914. A WAR OF AMBITION.

Every day brings more convincingly to light tho fact that tho present groat wear was engineered by Germany and entered upon as part of a great and long-contemplated scheme to develop and maintain a world empire and procure for Gorman ideas the recognition they have never obtained and are never likely to. Shortly after the Morocco crisis of 1911, General Bernhardt, a presumed authority on the military and diplomatic policy of Germany, boldly urged that every opportunity should be used to bring about an aggressive war and enlarges upon the great importance of the Kaiser's army getting in the first blow and at the same time making it a staggering one. His programme was to sweep France out of the path first, because ho asserted with that marvellous German selfconfidence which we have seen so much of lately, that "in one way or another we must square our account with France if wish for a free hand in our international policy. This is the first and foremost condition of a sound German policy, and since the hostility of France once for all cannot be romoved by peaceful overtures, tho matter must be settled by force of arms. France must be so completely crushed that she can never again come across our path." The present conflict started on exactly those lines and with just such a programme, but, thanks to the splendid stand made by Belgium, Frame is still far from the fate intended by her treacherous foe. General Bornhardi has, apparently, some claims of co'mmon sense, for lie admits the enterprise he advocated to be one of tremendous difficulty and great peril. Regarding the favorable condition under which Germany was to strike, Beruhardi refers to Frederic the Great's letter to Pitt in 1701, when the former wrote "Mo man. if ho has m rrrain of sonso, will leave his enemies leisure to make all preparations in order to destroy him ; he will rather take advantage of his start in order to put himself in a favorable position," and Bernhardi fully endorses tkii war wisdom, Tli» «aui» author-

ity next proceeds to discuss Russia, and expresses the view that the Czar's country would take some years to recuperate after the Russo-Japanese war, but at the same time he recognised that Russia would always be an opponent of German expansion, and his advice was entirely with those who have urged the Kaiser to wait no longer, because Russia was recovering her old strength with marvel-: lous rapidity. He foresaw that Eng-i land might play an important part in the plans of Germany, and proceeds to admit that England indisputably rules the sea. Going further, Bernhardi says: "In consequence of her crushing naval superiority when allied with France and of the geographical conditions, she may cause the greatest damage to Germany by cutting off her maritime trade. There is also a not inconsiderable army available for a Continental war. When all considerations are taken into account, our opponents have a political superiority not to be underestimated. If France succeeded in strengthening her army by large colonial levies and a strong English landing-force, this superiority would be asserted-on land also. If Italy really withdraws from the Triple Alliance very distinctly superior forces will be united against Germany and Austria." This is exactly as it has happened, and the General's worst fears have be,en fulfilled.