BERNHARDI, Friedrich von, Prussian general and military writer: b. 22 Nov. 1849, the son of an able diplomat and historian and grandson of a philologist and his poet wife, the sister of Ludwig Tieck. He was hardly known until the English translation of his and der nichste Krieg' (1911) was seized upon in England as revealing the cause of the European War. In it he makes some interesting statements, declaring that the conflict between England and Germany was an eventuality determined upon in 1902. He pre dicted in 1911 the defection of Italy from the Triple Alliance. Recalling the British capture of the Danish fleet in 1807 and the bombard ment of Alexandria in 1884, he warned Ger many that she would have to fight Russia, France and England (the Entente) with only the assistance of Austria. The Prussian disas ter of Jena in 1806 he laid to a fatuous pacifism, which was being repeated in a Germany de voted to commercialism and enjoyment. He calls war a biological necessity, an indispensable regulative element in the life of man, due to the universal struggle for existence, posses sions, power, sovereignty. Only the weary, spiritless ages have toyed with the dream of perpetual peace, and if strong nations estab lish peace congresses and Hague tribunals he thinks pacific ideals are seldom the real motive of their action but only a cloak under which to further selfish political aims. No power exists which can judge between states and make its judgment final. Increase of population and trade rivalry make expansion imperative or nations' decay inevitable. War does more to arouse national life and to expand national power than any other known means. National needs may demand an aggressive war. Most unfavorably situated in the midst of mighty colonial powers, who are determined not to allow German expansion, Germany must be prepared to again a start° on her probable enemies. She must strike quick and with all force in order to win. The most efficient and most dangerous foe must be struck first. It is the moral duty for the state to begin the struggle before the rival nations gain a lead which cannot be won back. As Germany was
vulnerable only in the northwest, Bernhardi was convinced that in case of war England and France would attempt to turn Germany's stra tegical right flank between Flushing and Wesel (a fortress near the Dutch border), at the same time seizing a naval base on the north west coast of Germany. Hence he regarded the neutrality of Belgium as impossible. Ger many must maintain a defensive war by seas, controlling the Baltic at all hazards, but must defeat France decisively on land and destroy her Channel naval ports. The occupation by the enemy of the Danish islands must be pre vented at all hazards. For Bernhardi the dan ger is in the west, while Russia's defeat is presupposed, prcrviding Germany is successful in the west. He expects the effective blodcade of the German coast and urges the develop ment and vigorous use of the submarine and the aerial service. He is opposed to a sea bat tle with superior hostile forces, but torpedo boat attacks by night are recommended. °The blockading fleet must be given no breathing time° and must be °whittled down?' Ger many's °whole history may turn upon the im pregnability of the fortifications which, in combination with the fleet, are intended to guard our coasts and naval bases, and should, inflict such heavy losses on the enemy that the difference of strength between the two fleets would be gradually equalized.° He accepts the principle of the submarine blockade and the sinking of all enemy or neutral ships to or from hostile ports. As a popular explanation of Germany s defense, Bernhardi's book is keen and ingenious. Less so is the program of offense in (Unsere Zukunft, ein Mahn wort an das deutsche Volk,' to which the translator gives the title (Britain as Germany's Vassal.' This contemplates Turkey's malting common cause With the Central Powers from the beginning. Other books by Bernhardi are 'How Germany Malces War' • (Cavalry' ; (On War of To-day' (trans. by karl von Donat).