the duty of national defense and national existence that puts the weapon into our hands as into the hands of every German, but also the realization that in the enemy whom we are fighting in the east we are striking a blow at the foe of all culture and all progress. … The overthrow of Russia is synonymous with the victory of freedom in Europe…"
On August 5th, the Braunschweiger Volksfreund wrote:
"The irresistible force of military preparation drives everything before it. But the class-conscious labor movement obeys, not an outside force, but its own conviction, when it defends the ground upon which it stands, from attack in the east."
The Essener Arbeiterzeitung' cried out on August 3rd:
"If this country is threatened by Russia's determination, then the Social-Democrats, since the fight is against Russian Blood-Czarism, against the perpetrator of a million crimes against freedom and culture, will allow none to excell them in the fulfilment of their duty, in their willingness to sacrifice. Down with Czarism! Down with the home of Barbarism! Let that be our slogan!"
Similarly the Bielefelder Volkswacht writes on August 4th:
"Everywhere the same cry: against Russian Despotism and faithlessness."
The Elberfeld party-organ on August 5th:
"All western Europe is vitally interested in the extermination of rotten murderous Czarism. But this human interest is crushed by the greed of England and France to check the profits that have been made possible by German capital."
The Rheinische Zeitung in Cologne:
"Do your duty, friends, wherever fate may place you. You are fighting for the civilization of Europe, for the independence of your fatherland, for your own welfare."
The Schleswig-Holstein Volkszeitung of August 7th writes:
