"That Germany be armed to the teeth, possessing a strong fleet, is of the utmost importance to the working men. What damages our exports damages them also, and working men have the most pressing interest in securing prosperity for our export trade, be it even by force of arms. Owing to her development, Germany may perhaps be obliged to maintain her position sword in hand. Only he who is under the protection of his guns can dominate the markets, and in the fight for markets German working men may come before the alternative either of perishing or of forcing their entrance into markets sword in hand."[559]
In the spring of 1907 the leading German Socialist paper wrote in a weighty article on the Peace Conference at The Hague: "The conception that war is only a product of human unreason is on the same level as the idea that revolutions are only mental aberrations of the masses. War is rooted in the opposing interests of the nations, as are revolutions in the opposing interests of the classes."[560]
A comparison of German Socialism with English Socialism shows that English Socialism is more violent and far less patriotic than German Socialism. German Socialists love their country. Most British Socialists apparently love only themselves.
[530] H.W. Lee in the _Social-Democrat_, June 1, 1907.
[531] Thomas Kennedy in _Forward_ of May 25, 1907, reprinted in the _Social-Democrat_, June 1907.
[532] Quelch in the _Social-Democrat_ for October 1907.
[533] Kautsky, _Social Revolution_, p. 4.
[534] _Report on Fabian Policy and Resolutions_, p. 11.
[536] _Social-Democrat_, October 1907, p. 588.
[537] Shaw, _The Impossibilities of Anarchism_, p. 25.
[539] Shaw, _The Impossibilities of Anarchism_, p. 25.
[540] _Social-Democrat_, October 1907, p. 586.
[541] _Social-Democrat_, April 1907, p. 204.
[543] _Social-Democrat_, October 1907, p. 586.
[544] _Social-Democrat_, October 1907, p. 589.
[546] See _The Nation in Arms_, October 1907, and _Journal de Neuchatel_, September 22, 1907.
[547] _Independent Labour Party Report_, 1907, p. 64.
[549] _Social-Democrat_, November 1907, p. 516.
[552] H.W. Lee in _Social-Democrat_, June 1907.
[555] _Social-Democratic Federation Song Book_, No. 30.
[556] Kirtlan, _Socialism for Christians_, p. 6.