The German Anti-Bellicist
After wading through the oceans of casuistry by which German “Professors” and others have sought to exonerate Germany for the violation of Belgian neutrality and for the appalling crimes of Louvain, Visé, and the “Lusitania,” one is no nearer comprehending that “attitude of mind” which is exemplified by the question of the German Anti-Bellicist, and of the German apostles of “Kultur” in general. It is not sheer muddleheadedness, but has been brought about by a calculated, immoral perversion of intellect.
It is an attitude of mind that is lost to a sense of humour—the absence of which indeed is a German national characteristic. And there is nothing more deadening as regards the finer subtleties of life and conscience. “The saving grace of humour” is a phrase containing a crystallisation, of an idea of far greater moment than appears on the surface.
What thousands of German so-called “Anti-Bellicists” are saying and will continue to say is, as Raemaekers’ cartoon suggests, “We think we hate War, but we know we covet our neighbour’s vineyard, and having seized it mean to keep it if we can.”
CLIVE HOLLAND
THE GERMAN ANTI-BELLICIST
“If you insist upon Belgium being evacuated by Germany, what is the good of my being a member of the Anti-War Council?”