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Texts from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13635/13635-h/13635-h.htm, de.wikipedia.org, de.wikisource.org BRITISH AND GERMAN AUTHORS AND Contents: INTELLECTUALS CONFRONT EACH OTHER IN 1914 1. British authors defend England’s war (17 September) The material here collected consists of altercations between British and German men of letters and professors in the first 2. Appeal of the 93 German professors “to the world of months of the First World War. Remarkably they present culture” (4 October 1914) themselves as collective bodies and as an authoritative voice on — 2a. German version behalf of their nation. — 2b. English version The English-language materials given here were published in, 3. Declaration of the German university professors (16 and have been quoted from, The New York Times Current October 1914) History: A Monthly Magazine ("The European War", vol. 1: — 3a. German version "From the beginning to March 1915"; New York: The New — 3b. English version York Times Company 1915), online on Project Gutenberg (www.gutenberg.org). That same source also contains many 4. Reply to the German professors, by British scholars interventions written à titre personnel by individuals, including (21 October 1914) G.B. Shaw, H.G. Wells, Arnold Bennett, John Galsworthy, Jerome K. Jerome, Rudyard Kipling, G.K. Chesterton, H. Rider Haggard, Robert Bridges, Arthur Conan Doyle, Maurice Maeterlinck, Henri Bergson, Romain Rolland, Gerhart Hauptmann and Adolf von Harnack (whose open letter "to Americans in Germany" provoked a response signed by 11 British theologians). The German texts given here here can be found, with backgrounds, further references and more precise datings, in the German wikipedia article "Manifest der 93" and the German wikisource article “Erklärung der Hochschullehrer des Deutschen Reiches” (in a version dated 23 October 1914, with French parallel translation, along with the names of all 3000 signatories). SPIN source text on the history of cultural nationalism in Europe www.spinnet.eu Texts from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13635/13635-h/13635-h.htm, de.wikipedia.org, de.wikisource.org British authors defend England’s war (17 September)1 When Belgium in her dire need appealed to Great Britain to carry out her pledge, that country's course was clear. She had either to break faith, letting the sanctity of treaties and the The undersigned writers, comprising among them men of the rights of small nations count for nothing before the threat of most divergent political and social views, some of them having naked force, or she had to fight. She did not hesitate, and we been for years ardent champions of good-will toward Germany, trust she will not lay down arms till Belgium's integrity is and many of them extreme advocates of peace, are nevertheless restored and her wrongs redressed. agreed that Great Britain could not without dishonor have refused to take part in the present war. No one can read the full The treaty with Belgium made our duty clear, but many of us diplomatic correspondence published in the “White Paper” feel that, even if Belgium had not been involved, it would without seeing that the British representatives were throughout have been impossible for Great Britain to stand aside while laboring whole-heartedly to preserve the peace of Europe, and France was dragged into war and destroyed. To permit the that their conciliatory efforts were cordially received by both ruin of France would be a crime against liberty and France and Russia. civilization. Even those of us who question the wisdom of a policy of Continental ententes or alliances refuse to see When these efforts failed Great Britain had still no direct France struck down by a foul blow dealt in violation of a quarrel with any power. She was eventually compelled to take treaty. up arms because, together with France, Germany, and Austria, she had solemnly pledged herself to maintain the neutrality of We observe that various German apologists, official and Belgium. As soon as danger to that neutrality arose she semi-official, admit that their country had been false to its questioned both France and Germany as to their intentions. pledged word, and dwell almost with pride on the France immediately renewed her pledge not to violate Belgian “frightfulness” of the examples by which it has sought to neutrality; Germany refused to answer, and soon made all spread terror in Belgium, but they excuse all these answer needless by her actions. Without even the pretense of a proceedings by a strange and novel plea. German culture and grievance against Belgium she made war on the weak and civilization are so superior to those of other nations that all unoffending country she had undertaken to protect, and has steps taken to assert them are more than justified, and the since carried out her invasion with a calculated and ingenious destiny of Germany to be the dominating force in Europe ferocity which has raised questions other and no less grave than and the world is so manifest that ordinary rules of morality that of the willful disregard of treaties. do not hold in her case, but actions are good or bad simply as SPIN source text on they help or hinder the accomplishment of that destiny. 1 the history of cultural As reported in the New York Times. The title and the explanations of the nationalism in Europe signatures are from that source. www.spinnet.eu Texts from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13635/13635-h/13635-h.htm, de.wikipedia.org, de.wikisource.org These views, inculcated upon the present generation of Germans London; author of "The Voysey Inheritance," and (with by many celebrated historians and teachers, seem to us both Laurence Housman) "Prunella." dangerous and insane. Many of us have dear friends in Germany, SIR JAMES MATTHEW BARRIE, creator of "Sentimental many of us regard German culture with the highest respect and Tommy" and "Peter Pan," famous for his sympathetic studies gratitude; but we cannot admit that any nation has the right by of Scotch life and his fantastic comedies. brute force to impose its culture upon other nations, nor that the HILAIRE BELLOC, best known as a writer on history, iron military bureaucracy of Prussia represents a higher form of politics, and economics; a recognized authority on the human society than the free Constitutions of Western Europe. French Revolution. ARNOLD BENNETT, author of many popular realistic Whatever the world destiny of Germany may be, we in Great studies of English provincial life, including "Clayhanger" Britain are ourselves conscious of a destiny and a duty. That and "Hilda Lessways." destiny and duty, alike for us and for all the English-speaking ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON, chiefly known for race, call upon us to uphold the rule of common justice between "From a College Window," "Beside Still Waters," and other civilized peoples, to defend the rights of small nations, and to volumes of essays. maintain the free and law-abiding ideals of Western Europe EDWARD FREDERIC BENSON, brother of the preceding, against the rule of "Blood and Iron" and the domination of the author of many novels of modern life, including "Dodo." whole Continent by a military caste. VERY REV. MONSIGNOR ROBERT HUGH BENSON, For these reasons and others the undersigned feel bound to the youngest of the three famous Benson brothers. Besides support the cause of the Allies with all their strength, with a full numerous devotional and theological works, Monsignor conviction of its righteousness, and with a deep sense of its vital Benson has written several widely appreciated historical import to the future of the world. novels. LAWRENCE BINYON, author of many lyrics and poetic (53 signatures, glossed editorially as follows:) dramas, Assistant Keeper in the British Museum, in charge of Oriental Prints and Drawings. WILLIAM ARCHER, dramatic critic and editor of Ibsen's ANDREW CECIL BRADLEY, critic, sometime Professor of works, author of "Life of Macready," "Real Conversations," Poetry at Oxford University, author of a standard work on "The Great Analysis," and (with Granville Barker) "A National Shakespeare. Theatre." ROBERT BRIDGES, Poet-Laureate. Prominent as a H. GRANVILLE BARKER, actor, dramatist, and manager, physician before his poetry brought him the high honor he SPIN source text on shares with his wife management of the Kingsway Theatre, now enjoys. the history of cultural nationalism in Europe www.spinnet.eu Texts from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13635/13635-h/13635-h.htm, de.wikipedia.org, de.wikisource.org HALL CAINE, one of the most popular of contemporary ANTHONY HOPE HAWKINS, (ANTHONY HOPE,) novelists. author of popular historical romance and sketches of modern R.C. CARTON, dramatist, author of "Lord and Lady Algy" and society, including "The Prisoner of Zenda." "A White Elephant." MAURICE HEWLETT, poet and romantic novelist, author CHARLES HADDON CHAMBERS, dramatist, author of "John of "Earthworks Out of Tuscany" and other mediaeval tales. a Dreams," part author of "The Fatal Card." ROBERT HICHENS, novelist, author of "The Garden of GILBERT K. CHESTERTON, essayist, novelist, poet; defender Allah," "Bella Donna," and other stories. of orthodox thought by unorthodox methods. JEROME K. JEROME, humorist, famous for "Idle Thoughts HUBERT HENRY DAVIES, dramatist, author of "The of an Idle Fellow" and the "Three Men" series, and for his Mollusc" and "A Single Man." play "The Passing of the Third Floor Back." SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE, creator of "Sherlock HENRY ARTHUR JONES, dramatist, author of "The Silver Holmes." King," "The Hypocrites," and other plays. HERBERT ALBERT LAURENS FISHER, Vice Chancellor of RUDYARD KIPLING needs no introduction to people who Sheffield University, author of "The Mediaeval Empire," read the English language. "Napoleon Bonaparte," and other historical works. WILLIAM J. LOCKE, author of "The Morals of Marcus," JOHN GALSWORTHY, a novelist and dramatist who has come "Septimus," and "The Beloved Vagabond," which have been into great prominence during the last five years, his plays, made into successful plays.