Eucken, Rudolph

Haeckel, Ernst

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AN APPEAL TO THE UNIVERSITIES OFAMERICA.BY ERNST HAECKEL AND RUDOLPH EUCKEN.WHEN half the world is falling upon Germany in a spirit ofhatred and envy, it is a comforting thought to us Germansto feel that we may be sure of the sympathy of the American uni-versities. It is to them, if anywhere in the world, that we mustlook for a correct comprehension of the present situation and thepresent attitude of Germany. Many American scholars have beeneducated at our universities and know of the excellent quality andthe peaceful tendency of German work ; the exchange of professorshas increased the mutual understanding, and continuous intercoursein scholarly research makes us seem like members of one greatcommunity. This is why we entertain the hope that the scientificcircles of America will not give credence to the slanders our ene-mies concoct against us.Those calumnies accuse Germany above all of having broughtabout the present war, and of being responsible for the monstrousstruggle which is extending more and more over the whole world.In reality exactly the opposite is the case. It is very much againstour will that our foes have disturbed us in our peaceful work andforced the war upon us. We are engaged in a righteous war forthe preservation of our existence and at the same time for thesacred ideals of humanity. The murder of Serajewo was not ourwork, it was the outcome of a widespread conspiracy pointingback, however, to Servia, whence for many years a strong feelingagainst Austria had originated wdiich was supported by Russia.It was Russia therefore that took the affair of the assassinationand the assassins under her protection and weeks before the warbroke out she had promised her assistance to that bloodstainedstate. It was Russia alone that gave a critical turn to the event,and Russia alone is to blame for the outbreak of the war. The660 THE OPEN COURT.German emperor has proved his love of peace by a peaceful reignof more than twenty-five years in the face of increasing danger.He tried most zealously to mediate between Austria and Russia;but during his negotiations with the Czar, Russia was engaged inmobilizing a gigantic army along the German frontier. This neces-sitated an open and decisive inquiry that led to the war, but warfollowed only because Russia wanted it so, because she wanted torouse the Moscovites against the Germans and Western Slavs, andto lead Asia into the field against Europe.France too might have remained at peace, as the decision restedsolely with her. The security of Germany demanded that sheshould inquire what France would do in the impending war ; theanswer of France unmistakably betrayed her intention of takingpart. As a matter of fact it was not Germany but France thatcommenced the war.Before the war England was closely allied to France. From thevery beginning she has clearly shown that she by no means wantedto keep absolutely neutral. From the very beginning she has en-deavored to protect France against Germany. The German inva-sion of Belgium undoubtedly served England as a welcome pretextopenly to declare her hostility. In fact neutrality had been violatedby Belgium in favor of the French before the German invasion.It has been officially stated, for instance, that not only before butalso after the outbreak of the war French officers were in Liegefor the purpose of instructing Belgian troops in the defence offortifications. England's complaint of the violation of internationallaw is the grossest hypocrisy and the vilest Pharisaism. Just asEnglish politics have without scruple always disregarded all legalstandards as soon as England's interest was touched, so duringthe last few weeks has the same method been sufficiently manifestin the unlawful capture of the Turkish warships, and still morein the instigation of the Japanese to undertake the detestable raidupon German territory in China which can only end in strengthen-ing the power of that Mongolian nation at the expense of Europeand America.How is it possible for a nation that has so betrayed valuableinterests of western civilization as soon as it could benefit thereby—how is it possible for such an accomplice of Japanese depredationto assume the role of guardian of morality?We Germans did not want this war, but as it has been forcedupon us we shall carry it on bravely and vigorously. In the faceof all envy and hatred, all brutality and hypocrisy, Germany hasAN APPEAL TO THE UNIVERSITIES OF AMERICA. 661the firm conviction that she is serving a righteous cause, and inthe struggle for self-preservation as well as for the sacred ideals ofhumanity, that she is indeed defending the progress of true civili-zation. This consciousness gives her inflexible strength and theabsolute certainty that she will repulse every attack of her enemies.In this conviction our people do not stand in need of any encour-agement from abroad, but rely absolutely upon themselves, trustingin the justice of their cause.Nevertheless it is important and comforting to us to know thatthe thoughts and sympathies of our American friends are with usin this gigantic struggle. We feel fully justified in expressing thisopenly as the conviction of all German scholars, since both of usare closely bound by so many scientific and personal relations withthe universities of America. These universities know what Germanculture means to the world, and so will stand by Germany.

An Appeal to the Universities of America.

http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2896&context=ocj

An Appeal to the Universities of America.

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