Page:Karl Liebknecht - Militarism (1917).djvu/60

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MILITARISM

time the Anglo-French military convention appeared above the horizon. Moreover, at the very hour when preparations were being made for the second "Peace Conference," Sweden increased her fleet, America[1] and Japan saw their military budgets mount higher and higher, and the Clémenceau government in France demanded an increase of 208 millions,[2] dwelt upon the necessity of a strong army and navy, the Hamburger Nachrichten [an important semi-official German newspaper] was describing the unshakeable faith in the holy savior Militarism as the quintessence of the feeling dominating Germany's ruling classes, and the German people were treated by their government to increased military demands[3] which were


    cate the English people into a better understanding of the seriousness of war. In Germany, of course, universal military service has only the importance to force the people to make sacrifices in blood and money, in conformity with the will of the noble knights of the Kreuzzeitung, whilst the decision about peace and war rests with those for whom the seriousness of war exists least. They can even appreciate democracy for abroad!—Concerning the strong tendency in England and America towards a universal militia, see p. 51.

  1. Cf. p. 51 and Roosevelt's message of December 4, 1906.
  2. Chiefly motivated by the Morocco conflict.
  3. Twenty-four and three-fourths millions for the navy, 51 millions for the army, 7 millions for interest—a total increase