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generally will testify in favour of the Germanic peoples—as
compared, for instance, with the Slavs and the Latins.
Mr. William Archer has something to say about my
“outspoken contempt for England.” Here he is mistaken. I have
no feeling of hatred towards England and have never
entertained any feelings of ill-will towards its great and admirable[1]
people. It is only the part which England has played and
plays in this world-wide crisis that I abhor and deplore.
The earth is large enough to hold both England and Germany,
and England would have gained more by keeping neutral in
this war. The hatred of England which pervades Germany
is new—it began on the 4th August, 1914. Prior to that date
it did not exist. Whether England’s policy has gained the
sympathy and approval of the neutral countries is not for me
to judge. One can respect and admire a nation for its splendid
qualities and for its colossal contribution to the advancement
of the world, and yet not admire its policy at a given juncture.
This is the nature of the feelings I now entertain for England,
and I deeply regret that her guiding statesmen were not able
to avert a situation which must inevitably bring misfortune
upon their country. Did the English people itself desire this
war? That question will be answered in the early future.
Mr. William Archer is surprised that I do not speak about
the Battle of the Marne. Here I will remind him once more
of what I say in the introduction to the book, to wit, that it
was not my intention to write the history of the war. I have
simply described the happenings at which I myself was
present.
In conclusion Mr. William Archer says: “It would be curious
to know whether Dr. Hedin now feels so confident of Germany’s
triumph as he did in the golden prime...” As to that,
after the events which have occurred since “the golden
prime,” especially on the eastern front, my faith in Germany’s
victory is more unshakable than ever.
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