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〃A nation；〃 he added； 〃can aspire to great destinies only when it is fundamentally Teutonic。 The less German it is； the less its civilization amounts to。 We represent 'the aristocracy of humanity；' 'the salt of the earth；' as our William said。〃
Argensola was listening with astonishment to this outpouring of conceit。 All the great nations had passed through the fever of Imperialism。 The Greeks aspired to world…rule because they were the most civilized and believed themselves the most fit to give civilization to the rest of mankind。 The Romans； upon conquering countries； implanted law and the rule of justice。 The French of the Revolution and the Empire justified their invasions on the plea that they wished to liberate mankind and spread abroad new ideas。 Even the Spaniards of the sixteenth century； when battling with half of Europe for religious unity and the extermination of heresy； were working toward their ideals obscure and perhaps erroneous； but disinterested。
All the nations of history had been struggling for something which they had considered generous and above their own interests。 Germany alone； according to this professor； was trying to impose itself upon the world in the name of racial superioritya superiority that nobody had recognized； that she was arrogating to herself； coating her affirmations with a varnish of false science。
〃Until now wars have been carried on by the soldiery；〃 continued Hartrott。 〃That which is now going to begin will be waged by a combination of soldiers and professors。 In its preparation the University has taken as much part as the military staff。 German science； leader of all sciences； is united forever with what the Latin revolutionists disdainfully term militarism。 Force； mistress of the world； is what creates right； that which our truly unique civilization imposes。 Our armies are the representatives of our culture； and in a few weeks we shall free the world from its decadence； completely rejuvenating it。〃
The vision of the immense future of his race was leading him on to expose himself with lyrical enthusiasm。 William I； Bismarck； all the heroes of past victories； inspired his veneration； but he spoke of them as dying gods whose hour had passed。 They were glorious ancestors of modest pretensions who had confined their activities to enlarging the frontiers； and to establishing the unity of the Empire； afterwards opposing themselves with the prudence of valetudinarians to the daring of the new generation。 Their ambitions went no further than a continental hegemony 。 。 。 but now William II had leaped into the arena； the complex hero that the country required。
〃Lamprecht； my master； has pictured his greatness。 It is tradition and the future； method and audacity。 Like his grandfather； the Emperor holds the conviction of what monarchy by the grace of God represents； but his vivid and modern intelligence recognizes and accepts modern conditions。 At the same time that he is romantic； feudal and a supporter of the agrarian conservatives； he is also an up…to…date man who seeks practical solutions and shows a utilitarian spirit。 In him are correctly balanced instinct and reason。〃
Germany； guided by this hero； had； according to Hartrott； been concentrating its strength； and recognizing its true path。 The Universities supported him even more unanimously than the army。 Why store up so much power and maintain it without employment？ 。 。 。 The empire of the world belongs to the German people。 The historians and philosophers； disciples of Treitschke； were taking it upon themselves to frame the rights that would justify this universal domination。 And Lamprecht； the psychological historian； like the other professors； was launching the belief in the absolute superiority of the Germanic race。 It was just that it should rule the world； since it only had the power to do so。 This 〃telurian germanization〃 was to be of immense benefit to mankind。 The earth was going to be happy under the dictatorship of a people born for mastery。 The German state； 〃tentacular potency；〃 would eclipse with its glory the most imposing empire of the past and present。 Gott mit uns！
〃Who will be able to deny； as my master says； that there exists a Christian； German God； the 'Great Ally；' who is showing himself to our enemies； the foreigners； as a strong and jealous divinity？〃 。 。 。
Desnoyers was listening to his cousin with astonishment and at the same time looking at Argensola who； with a flutter of his eyes； seemed to be saying to him； 〃He is mad！ These Germans are simply mad with pride。〃
Meanwhile； the professor； unable to curb his enthusiasm； continued expounding the grandeur of his race。 From his viewpoint； the providential Kaiser had shown inexplicable weakenings。 He was too good and too kind。 〃Deliciae generis humani；〃 as had said Professor Lasson； another of Hartrott's masters。 Able to overthrow everything with his annihilating power； the Emperor was limiting himself merely to maintaining peace。 But the nation did not wish to stop there； and was pushing its leader until it had him started。 It was useless now to put on the brakes。 〃He who does not advance recedes〃；that was the cry of PanGermanism to the Emperor。 He must press on in order to conquer the entire world。
〃And now war comes；〃 continued the pedant。 〃We need the colonies of the others； even though Bismarck； through an error of his stubborn old age； exacted nothing at the time of universal distribution； letting England and France get possession of the best lands。 We must control all countries that have Germanic blood and have been civilized by our forbears。〃
Hartrott enumerated these countries。 Holland and Belgium were German。 France； through the Franks； was one…third Teutonic blood。 Italy。 。 。 。 Here the professor hesitated； recalling the fact that this nation was still an ally； certainly a little insecure； but still united by diplomatic bonds。 He mentioned； nevertheless； the Longobards and other races coming from the North。 Spain and Portugal had been populated by the ruddy Goth and also belonged to the dominant race。 And since the majority of the nations of America were of Spanish and Portuguese origin； they should also be included in this recovery。
〃It is a little premature to think of these last nations just yet；〃 added the Doctor modestly； 〃but some day the hour of justice will sound。 After our continental triumph； we shall have time to think of their fate。 。 。 。 North America also should receive our civilizing influence； for there are living millions of Germans who have created its greatness。〃
He was talking of the future conquests as though they were marks of distinction with which his country was going to favor other countries。 These were to continue living politically the same as before with their individual governments； but subject to the Teutons； like minors requiring the strong hand of a master。 They would form the Universal United States； with an hereditary and all… powerful presidentthe Emperor of Germanyreceiving all the benefits of Germanic culture； working disciplined under his industrial direction。 。 。 。 But the world is ungrateful； and human badness always opposes it