German World Policies; (Der Deutsche Gedanke in Der Welt) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1915. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI OUR FOREIGN POLICY Clatjsewitz, our great philosopher and historian of war has said: "The best strategy is to be strong always, not only generally, but particularly at the critical moment." War, however, according to the correct definition of Clausewitz, is not a thing by itself but the continuation of a previous policy. War and policy are different expressions of the same principle. The principle is the material and moral self-preservation of a nation. It is, therefore, not only the best strategy but also the best policy to be strong always, not only generally, but particularly at the critical moment. Nobody, however, can be so strong that he is the equal of a combination of his opponents. It is, therefore, the great art of policy to search for all those relations to other people by whose cultivation we increase our own strength and decrease that of our opponents. Modern history has produced two great masters in the art of policy, Bismarck and Edward VII of England. Bismarck knew how to make our position in Europe unassailable by means of the triple alliance and the partial treaty with Russia, as long as Germany remained an unexpansive power. This was seemingly still true in 1890. A decade later when King Edward ascended the throne it had become apparent that the foundations of our existence had changed. If England wished to pursue her old policy of "British Supremacy," she was in consequence obliged to see to it that Germany was restrained and rendered harmless. The king pursued his thought from the first. It became necessary to eliminate, as a precautionary measure, any lurking interference by Russia. This nation was striving to reach a position by way of China and Persia which would have given it the political control of Asia, if it had succeeded, ...