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est of calamities。
〃Why must the tyranny that weighs upon my country necessarily be Russian？ The worst Czars were imitators of Prussia。 Every time that the Russian people of our day have attempted to revindicate their rights； the reactionaries have used the Kaiser as a threat； proclaiming that he would come to their aid。 One…half of the Russian aristocracy is German； the functionaries who advise and support despotism are Germans； German； too； are the generals who have distinguished themselves by massacring the people； German are the officials who undertake to punish the laborers' strikes and the rebellion of their allies。 The reactionary Slav is brutal； but he has the fine sensibility of a race in which many princes have become Nihilists。 He raises the lash with facility； but then he repents and oftentimes weeps。 I have seen Russian officials kill themselves rather than march against the people； or through remorse for slaughter committed。 The German in the service of the Czar feels no scruples； nor laments his conduct。 He kills coldly； with the minuteness and exactitude with which he does everything。 The Russian is a barbarian who strikes and regrets； German civilization shoots without hesitation。 Our Slav Czar； in a humanitarian dream； favored the Utopian idea of universal peace； organizing the Conference of The Hague。 The Kaiser of culture； meanwhile； has been working years and years in the erection and establishment of a destructive organ of an immensity heretofore unknown； in order to crush all Europe。 The Russian is a humble Christian； socialistic； democratic； thirsting for justice； the German prides himself upon his Christianity； but is an idolator like the German of other centuries。 His religion loves blood and maintains castes； his true worship is that of Odin；only that nowadays； the god of slaughter has changed his name and calls himself； 'The State'！〃
Tchernoff paused an instantperhaps in order to increase the wonder of his companionsand then said with simplicity：
〃I am a Christian。〃
Argensola； who already knew the ideas and history of the Russian； started with astonishment； and Julio persisted in his suspicion； 〃Surely Tchernoff is drunk。〃
〃It is true；〃 declared the Russian earnestly； 〃that I do not worry about God； nor do I believe in dogmas； but my soul is Christian as is that of all revolutionists。 The philosophy of modern democracy is lay Christianity。 We Socialists love the humble； the needy； the weak。 We defend their right to life and well…being； as did the greatest lights of the religious world who saw a brother in every
unfortunate。 We exact respect for the poor in the name of justice； the others ask for it in the name of charity。 That only separates us。 But we strive that mankind may； by common consent； lead a better life； that the strong may sacrifice for the weak； the lofty for the lowly； and the world be ruled by brotherliness； seeking the greatest equality possible。〃
The Slav reviewed the history of human aspirations。 Greek thought had brought comfort； a sense of well…being on the earthbut only for the few； for the citizens of the little democracies； for the free men； leaving the slaves and barbarians who constituted the majority； in their misery。 Christianity； the religion of the lowly； had recognized the right of happiness for all mankind； but this happiness was placed in heaven； far from this world； this 〃vale of tears。〃 The Revolution and its heirs； the Socialists； were trying to place happiness in the immediate realities of earth； like the ancients； but making all humanity participants in it like the Christians。
〃Where is the 'Christianity of modern Germany？ 。 。 。 There is far more genuine Christian spirit in the fraternal laity of the French Republic； defender of the weak； than in the religiosity of the conservative Junkers。 Germany has made a god in her own image； believing that she adores it； but in reality adoring her own image。 The German God is a reflex of the German State which considers war as the first activity of a nation and the noblest of occupations。 Other Christian peoples； when they have to go to war； feel the contradiction that exists between their conduct and the teachings of the Gospel； and excuse themselves by showing the cruel necessity which impels them。 Germany declares that war is acceptable to God。 I have heard German sermons proving that Jesus was in favor of Militarism。
〃Teutonic pride； the conviction that its race is providentially destined to dominate the world； brings into working unity their Protestants； Catholics and Jews。
〃Far above their differences of dogma is that God of the State which is Germanthe Warrior God to whom William is probably referring as 'my worthy Ally。' Religions always tend toward universality。 Their aim is to place humanity in relationship with God； and to sustain these relations among mankind。 Prussia has retrograded to barbarism； creating for its personal use a second Jehovah； a divinity hostile to the greater part of the human race who makes his own the grudges and ambitions of the German people。〃
Tchernoff then explained in his own way the creation of this Teutonic God； ambitious； cruel and vengeful。 The Germans were comparatively recent Christians。 Their Christianity was not more than six centuries old。 When the Crusades were drawing to a close； the Prussians were still living in paganism。 Pride of race； impelling them to war； had revived these dead divinities。 The God of the Gospel was now adorned by the Germans with lance and shield like the old Teutonic god who was a military chief。
〃Christianity in Berlin wears helmet and riding boots。 God at this moment is seeing Himself mobilized the same as Otto； Fritz and Franz； in order to punish the enemies of His chosen people。 That the Lord has commanded； 'Thou shalt not kill；' and His Son has said to the world； 'Blessed are the peacemakers；' no longer matters。 Christianity； according to its German priests of all creeds； can only influence the individual betterment of mankind； and should not mix itself in affairs of state。 The Prussian God of the State is 'the old German God；' the lineal descendant of the ferocious Germanic mythology； a mixture of divinities hungry for war。〃
In the silence of the avenue； the Russian evoked the ruddy figures of the implacable gods； that were going to awake that night upon hearing the hum of arms and smelling the acrid odor of blood。 Thor； the brutal god with the little head； was stretching his biceps and clutching the hammer that crushed cities。 Wotan was sharpening his lance which had the lightning for its handle； the thunder for its blade。 Odin； the one…eyed； was gaping with gluttony on the mountain…tops； awaiting the dead warriors that would crowd around his throne。 The dishevelled Valkyries； fat and perspiring； were beginning to gallop from cloud to cloud； hallooing to humanity that they might carry off the corpses doubled like saddle bags； over the haunches of their flying nags。
〃German religiosity；〃 continued the Russian； 〃is the disavowal of Christianity。 In its eyes； men are no longer equal before God。 Their God is interested only in the strong； and favors them with his support