AUTHORS PREFACE

On April 1st, 1924, I began to sere !" senten#e o$ %etention in t&e Fortress o$ 'an%sberg a! 'e#&, $ollo(ing t&e er%i#t
o$ t&e )*ni#& Peoples Co*rt o$ t&at ti!e+
A$ter "ears o$ *ninterr*pte% labo*r it (as no( possible $or t&e $irst ti!e to begin a (or, (&i#& !an" &a% as,e% $or an%
(&i#& I !"sel$ $elt (o*l% be pro$itable $or t&e )oe!ent+ So I %e#i%e% to %eote t(o ol*!es to a %es#ription not onl" o$
t&e ai!s o$ o*r )oe!ent b*t also o$ its %eelop!ent+ T&ere is !ore to be learne% $ro! t&is t&an $ro! an" p*rel"
%o#trinaire treatise+
T&is &as also gien !e t&e opport*nit" o$ %es#ribing !" o(n %eelop!ent in so $ar as s*#& a %es#ription is ne#essar" to
t&e *n%erstan%ing o$ t&e $irst as (ell as t&e se#on% ol*!e an% to %estro" t&e legen%ar" $abri#ations (&i#& t&e -e(is&
Press &ae #ir#*late% abo*t !e+
In t&is (or, I t*rn not to strangers b*t to t&ose $ollo(ers o$ t&e )oe!ent (&ose &earts belong to it an% (&o (is& to st*%"
it !ore pro$o*n%l"+ I ,no( t&at $e(er people are (on oer b" t&e (ritten (or% t&an b" t&e spo,en (or% an% t&at eer"
great !oe!ent on t&is eart& o(es its gro(t& to great spea,ers an% not to great (riters+
.eert&eless, in or%er to pro%*#e !ore e/*alit" an% *ni$or!it" in t&e %e$en#e o$ an" %o#trine, its $*n%a!ental prin#iples
!*st be #o!!itte% to (riting+ )a" t&ese t(o ol*!es t&ere$ore sere as t&e b*il%ing stones (&i#& I #ontrib*te to t&e 0oint
(or,+
T&e Fortress, 'an%sberg a! 'e#&+
At &al$1past t(ele in t&e a$ternoon o$ .oe!ber 9t&, 1922, t&ose (&ose na!es are gien belo( $ell in $ront o$ t&e
Fel%&errn&alle an% in t&e $ore#o*rt o$ t&e $or!er 3ar )inistr" in )*ni#& $or t&eir lo"al $ait& in t&e res*rre#tion o$ t&eir
people4
Al$art&, Feli5, )er#&ant, born -*l" 6t&, 1971
8a*rie%l, An%reas, Hat!a,er, born )a" 4t&, 19:9
Casella, T&eo%or, 8an, O$$i#ial, born A*g*st 9t&, 1977
E&rli#&, 3il&el!, 8an, O$$i#ial, born A*g*st 19t&, 1994
Fa*st, )artin, 8an, O$$i#ial, born -an*ar" 2:t&, 1971
He#&enberger, Anton, 'o#,s!it&, born Septe!ber 29t&, 1972
;oerner, Os,ar, )er#&ant, born -an*ar" 4t&, 19:6
;*&n, ;arl, Hea% 3aiter, born -*l" 26t&, 199:
'a$or#e, ;arl, St*%ent o$ Engineering, born O#tober 29t&, 1974
.e*ba*er, ;*rt, 3aiter, born )ar#& 2:t&, 1999
Pape, Cla*s on, )er#&ant, born A*g*st 1<t&, 1974
P$or%ten, T&eo%or on %er, Co*n#illor to t&e S*perior Proin#ial Co*rt, born )a" 14t&, 19:2
Ri#,!ers, -o&ann, retire% Caalr" Captain, born )a" :t&, 1991
S#&e*bner1Ri#&ter, )a5 Er(in on, =r+ o$ Engineering, born -an*ar" 9t&, 1994
Strans,", 'oren> Ritter on, Engineer, born )ar#& 14t&, 1999
3ol$, 3il&el!, )er#&ant, born O#tober 19t&, 1999
So1#alle% national o$$i#ials re$*se% to allo( t&e %ea% &eroes a #o!!on b*rial+ So I %e%i#ate t&e $irst ol*!e o$ t&is (or, to
t&e! as a #o!!on !e!orial, t&at t&e !e!or" o$ t&ose !art"rs !a" be a per!anent so*r#e o$ lig&t $or t&e $ollo(ers o$ o*r
)oe!ent+
T&e Fortress, 'an%sberg a?'+,
O#tober 1<t&, 1924
TRA.S'ATORS I.TRO=UCTIO.
In pla#ing be$ore t&e rea%er t&is *nabri%ge% translation o$ A%ol$ Hitlers boo,, )ein ;a!p$, I $eel it !" %*t" to #all
attention to #ertain &istori#al $a#ts (&i#& !*st be borne in !in% i$ t&e rea%er (o*l% $or! a $air 0*%g!ent o$ (&at is
(ritten in t&is e5traor%inar" (or,+
T&e $irst ol*!e o$ )ein ;a!p$ (as (ritten (&ile t&e a*t&or (as i!prisone% in a 8aarian $ortress+ Ho( %i% &e get t&ere
an% (&"@ T&e ans(er to t&at /*estion is i!portant, be#a*se t&e boo, %eals (it& t&e eents (&i#& bro*g&t t&e a*t&or into
t&is plig&t an% be#a*se &e (rote *n%er t&e e!otional stress #a*se% b" t&e &istori#al &appenings o$ t&e ti!e+ It (as t&e &o*r
o$ Aer!an"s %eepest &*!iliation, so!e(&at parallel to t&at o$ a little oer a #ent*r" be$ore, (&en .apoleon &a%
%is!e!bere% t&e ol% Aer!an E!pire an% Fren#& sol%iers o##*pie% al!ost t&e (&ole o$ Aer!an"+
In t&e beginning o$ 1922 t&e Fren#& ina%e% Aer!an", o##*pie% t&e R*&r %istri#t an% sei>e% seeral Aer!an to(ns in t&e
R&inelan%+ T&is (as a $lagrant brea#& o$ international la( an% (as proteste% against b" eer" se#tion o$ 8ritis& politi#al
opinion at t&at ti!e+ T&e Aer!ans #o*l% not e$$e#tiel" %e$en% t&e!seles, as t&e" &a% been alrea%" %isar!e% *n%er t&e
proisions o$ t&e Bersailles Treat"+ To !a,e t&e sit*ation !ore $ra*g&t (it& %isaster $or Aer!an", an% t&ere$ore !ore
appalling in its prospe#t, t&e Fren#& #arrie% on an intensie propagan%a $or t&e separation o$ t&e R&inelan% $ro! t&e
Aer!an Rep*bli# an% t&e establis&!ent o$ an in%epen%ent R&enania+ )one" (as po*re% o*t lais&l" to bribe agitators to
#arr" on t&is (or,, an% so!e o$ t&e !ost insi%io*s ele!ents o$ t&e Aer!an pop*lation be#a!e a#tie in t&e pa" o$ t&e
ina%er+ At t&e sa!e ti!e a igoro*s !oe!ent (as being #arrie% on in 8aaria $or t&e se#ession o$ t&at #o*ntr" an% t&e
establis&!ent o$ an in%epen%ent Cat&oli# !onar#&" t&ere, *n%er assalage to Fran#e, as .apoleon &a% %one (&en &e
!a%e )a5i!ilian t&e $irst ;ing o$ 8aaria in 1976+
T&e separatist !oe!ent in t&e R&inelan% (ent so $ar t&at so!e lea%ing Aer!an politi#ians #a!e o*t in $ao*r o$ it,
s*ggesting t&at i$ t&e R&inelan% (ere t&*s #e%e% it !ig&t be possible $or t&e Aer!an Rep*bli# to stri,e a bargain (it& t&e
Fren#& in regar% to Reparations+ 8*t in 8aaria t&e !oe!ent (ent een $art&er+ An% it (as !ore $ar1rea#&ing in its
i!pli#ationsC $or, i$ an in%epen%ent Cat&oli# !onar#&" #o*l% be set *p in 8aaria, t&e ne5t !oe (o*l% &ae been a *nion
(it& Cat&oli# Aer!an1A*stria+ possibl" *n%er a Habsb*rg ;ing+ T&*s a Cat&oli# blo# (o*l% &ae been #reate% (&i#&
(o*l% e5ten% $ro! t&e R&inelan% t&ro*g& 8aaria an% A*stria into t&e =an*be Balle" an% (o*l% &ae been at least *n%er
t&e !oral an% !ilitar", i$ not t&e $*ll politi#al, &ege!on" o$ Fran#e+ T&e %rea! see!s $antasti# no(, b*t it (as #onsi%ere%
/*ite a pra#ti#al t&ing in t&ose $antasti# ti!es+ T&e e$$e#t o$ p*tting s*#& a plan into a#tion (o*l% &ae !eant t&e #o!plete
%is!e!ber!ent o$ Aer!an"C an% t&at is (&at Fren#& %iplo!a#" ai!e% at+ O$ #o*rse s*#& an ai! no longer e5ists+ An% I
s&o*l% not re#all (&at !*st no( see! Dol%, *n&app", $ar1o$$ t&ingsE to t&e !o%ern generation, (ere it not t&at t&e" (ere
er" near an% a#t*al at t&e ti!e )ein ;a!p$ (as (ritten an% (ere !ore *n&app" t&en t&an (e #an een i!agine no(+
8" t&e a*t*!n o$ 1922 t&e separatist !oe!ent in 8aaria (as on t&e point o$ be#o!ing an a##o!plis&e% $a#t+ Aeneral
on 'osso(, t&e 8aarian #&ie$ o$ t&e Rei#&s(e&r no longer too, or%ers $ro! 8erlin+ T&e $lag o$ t&e Aer!an Rep*bli#
(as rarel" to be seen, Finall", t&e 8aarian Pri!e )inister %e#i%e% to pro#lai! an in%epen%ent 8aaria an% its se#ession
$ro! t&e Aer!an Rep*bli#+ T&is (as to &ae ta,en pla#e on t&e ee o$ t&e Fi$t& Anniersar" o$ t&e establis&!ent o$ t&e
Aer!an Rep*bli# F.oe!ber 9t&, 1919+G
Hitler stage% a #o*nter1stro,e+ For seeral %a"s &e &a% been !obili>ing &is stor! battalions in t&e neig&bo*r&oo% o$
)*ni#&, inten%ing to !a,e a national %e!onstration an% &oping t&at t&e Rei#&s(e&r (o*l% stan% b" &i! to preent
se#ession+ '*%en%or$$ (as (it& &i!+ An% &e t&o*g&t t&at t&e prestige o$ t&e great Aer!an Co!!an%er in t&e 3orl% 3ar
(o*l% be s*$$i#ient to (in t&e allegian#e o$ t&e pro$essional ar!"+
A !eeting &a% been anno*n#e% to ta,e pla#e in t&e 8HrgerbrI* ;eller on t&e nig&t o$ .oe!ber 9t&+ T&e 8aarian
patrioti# so#ieties (ere gat&ere% t&ere, an% t&e Pri!e )inister, =r+ on ;a&r, starte% to rea% &is o$$i#ial pron*n#ia!ento,
(&i#& pra#ti#all" a!o*nte% to a pro#la!ation o$ 8aarian in%epen%en#e an% se#ession $ro! t&e Rep*bli#+ 3&ile on ;a&r
(as spea,ing Hitler entere% t&e &all, $ollo(e% b" '*%en%or$$+ An% t&e !eeting (as bro,en *p+
.e5t %a" t&e .a>i battalions too, t&e street $or t&e p*rpose o$ !a,ing a !ass %e!onstration in $ao*r o$ national *nion+
T&e" !ar#&e% in !asse% $or!ation, le% b" Hitler an% '*%en%or$$+ As t&e" rea#&e% one o$ t&e #entral s/*ares o$ t&e #it"
t&e ar!" opene% $ire on t&e!+ Si5teen o$ t&e !ar#&ers (ere instantl" ,ille%, an% t(o %ie% o$ t&eir (o*n%s in t&e lo#al
barra#,s o$ t&e Rei#&s(e&r+ Seeral ot&ers (ere (o*n%e% also+ Hitler $ell on t&e pae!ent an% bro,e a #ollar1bone+
'*%en%or$$ !ar#&e% straig&t *p to t&e sol%iers (&o (ere $iring $ro! t&e barri#a%e, b*t not a !an %are% %ra( a trigger on
&is ol% Co!!an%er+
Hitler (as arreste% (it& seeral o$ &is #o!ra%es an% i!prisone% in t&e $ortress o$ 'an%sberg on t&e Rier 'e#&+ On
Febr*ar" 2<t&, 1924, &e (as bro*g&t to trial be$ore t&e Bol,sgeri#&t, or Peoples Co*rt in )*ni#&+ He (as senten#e% to
%etention in a $ortress $or $ie "ears+ 3it& seeral #o!panions, (&o &a% been also senten#e% to ario*s perio%s o$
i!prison!ent, &e ret*rne% to 'an%sberg a! 'e#& an% re!aine% t&ere *ntil t&e 27t& o$ t&e $ollo(ing =e#e!ber, (&en &e
(as release%+ In all &e spent abo*t t&irteen !ont&s in prison+ It (as %*ring t&is perio% t&at &e (rote t&e $irst ol*!e o$
)ein ;a!p$+
I$ (e bear all t&is in !in% (e #an a##o*nt $or t&e e!otional stress *n%er (&i#& )ein ;a!p$ (as (ritten+ Hitler (as
nat*rall" in#ense% against t&e 8aarian goern!ent a*t&orities, against t&e $ootling patrioti# so#ieties (&o (ere pa(ns in
t&e Fren#& ga!e, t&o*g& o$ten *n#ons#io*sl" so, an% o$ #o*rse against t&e Fren#&+ T&at &e s&o*l% (rite &ars&l" o$ t&e
Fren#& (as onl" nat*ral in t&e #ir#*!stan#es+ At t&at ti!e t&ere (as no e5aggeration (&atsoeer in #alling Fran#e t&e
i!pla#able an% !ortal ene!" o$ Aer!an"+ S*#& lang*age (as being *se% b" een t&e pa#i$ists t&e!seles, not onl" in
Aer!an" b*t abroa%+ An% een t&o*g& t&e se#on% ol*!e o$ )ein ;a!p$ (as (ritten a$ter Hitlers release $ro! prison
an% (as p*blis&e% a$ter t&e Fren#& &a% le$t t&e R*&r, t&e tra!p o$ t&e ina%ing ar!ies still e#&oe% in Aer!an ears, an%
t&e terrible raages t&at &a% been (ro*g&t in t&e in%*strial an% $inan#ial li$e o$ Aer!an", as a #onse/*en#e o$ t&e Fren#&
inasion, &a% pl*nge% t&e #o*ntr" into a state o$ so#ial an% e#ono!i# #&aos+ In Fran#e itsel$ t&e $ran# $ell to $i$t" per #ent
o$ its preio*s al*e+ In%ee%, t&e (&ole o$ E*rope &a% been bro*g&t to t&e brin, o$ r*in, $ollo(ing t&e Fren#& inasion o$
t&e R*&r an% R&inelan%+
8*t, as t&ose t&ings belong to t&e li!bo o$ a %ea% past t&at nobo%" (is&es to &ae re!e!bere% no(, it is o$ten as,e%4 3&"
%oesnt Hitler reise )ein ;a!p$@ T&e ans(er, as I t&in,, (&i#& (o*l% i!!e%iatel" #o!e into t&e !in% o$ an i!partial
#riti# is t&at )ein ;a!p$ is an &istori#al %o#*!ent (&i#& bears t&e i!print o$ its o(n ti!e+ To reise it (o*l% inole
ta,ing it o*t o$ its &istori#al #onte5t+ )oreoer Hitler &as %e#lare% t&at &is a#ts an% p*bli# state!ents #onstit*te a partial
reision o$ &is boo, an% are to be ta,en as s*#&+ T&is re$ers espe#iall" to t&e state!ents in )ein ;a!p$ regar%ing Fran#e
an% t&ose Aer!an ,ins$ol, t&at &ae not "et been in#orporate% in t&e Rei#&+ On be&al$ o$ Aer!an" &e &as %e$initel"
a#,no(le%ge% t&e Aer!an portion o$ So*t& T"rol as per!anentl" belonging to Ital" an%, in regar% to Fran#e, &e &as again
an% again %e#lare% t&at no gro*n%s no( e5ist $or a #on$li#t o$ politi#al interests bet(een Aer!an" an% Fran#e an% t&at
Aer!an" &as no territorial #lai!s against Fran#e+ Finall", I !a" note &ere t&at Hitler &as also %e#lare% t&at, as &e (as
onl" a politi#al lea%er an% not "et a states!an in a position o$ o$$i#ial responsibilit", (&en &e (rote t&is boo,, (&at &e
state% in )ein ;a!p$ %oes not i!pli#ate &i! as C&an#ellor o$ t&e Rei#&+
I no( #o!e to so!e re$eren#es in t&e te5t (&i#& are $re/*entl" re#*rring an% (&i#& !a" not al(a"s be #lear to eer"
rea%er+ For instan#e, Hitler spea,s in%is#ri!inatel" o$ t&e Aer!an Rei#&+ So!eti!es &e !eans to re$er to t&e $irst Rei#&,
or E!pire, an% so!eti!es to t&e Aer!an E!pire as $o*n%e% *n%er 3illia! I in 19:1+ In#i%entall" t&e regi!e (&i#& &e
ina*g*rate% in 1922 is generall" ,no(n as t&e T&ir% Rei#&, t&o*g& t&is e5pression is not *se% in )ein ;a!p$+ Hitler also
spea,s o$ t&e A*strian Rei#& an% t&e East )ar,, (it&o*t al(a"s e5pli#itl" %isting*is&ing bet(een t&e Habsb*rg E!pire
an% A*stria proper+ I$ t&e rea%er (ill bear t&e $ollo(ing &istori#al o*tline in !in%, &e (ill *n%erstan% t&e re$eren#es as
t&e" o##*r+
T&e (or% Rei#&, (&i#& is a Aer!an $or! o$ t&e 'atin (or% Regn*!, %oes not !ean ;ing%o! or E!pire or Rep*bli#+ It is
a sort o$ basi# (or% t&at !a" appl" to an" $or! o$ Constit*tion+ Per&aps o*r (or%, Real!, (o*l% be t&e best translation,
t&o*g& t&e (or% E!pire #an be *se% (&en t&e Rei#& (as a#t*all" an E!pire+ T&e $orer*nner o$ t&e $irst Aer!an E!pire
(as t&e Hol" Ro!an E!pire (&i#& C&arle!agne $o*n%e% in A+=+ 977+ C&arle!agne (as ;ing o$ t&e Fran,s, a gro*p o$
Aer!ani# tribes t&at s*bse/*entl" be#a!e Ro!ani>e%+ In t&e tent& #ent*r" C&arle!agnes E!pire passe% into Aer!an
&an%s (&en Otto I F92<19:2G be#a!e E!peror+ As t&e Hol" Ro!an E!pire o$ t&e Aer!an .ation, its $or!al appellation,
it #ontin*e% to e5ist *n%er Aer!an E!perors *ntil .apoleon oerran an% %is!e!bere% Aer!an" %*ring t&e $irst %e#a%e
o$ t&e last #ent*r"+ On A*g*st <t&, 197<, t&e last E!peror, Fran#is II, $or!all" resigne% t&e Aer!an #ro(n+ In t&e
$ollo(ing O#tober .apoleon entere% 8erlin in tri*!p&, a$ter t&e 8attle o$ -ena+
A$ter t&e $all o$ .apoleon a !oe!ent set in $or t&e re*nion o$ t&e Aer!an states in one E!pire+ 8*t t&e $irst %e#isie step
to(ar%s t&at en% (as t&e $o*n%ation o$ t&e Se#on% Aer!an E!pire in 19:1, a$ter t&e Fran#o1Pr*ssian 3ar+ T&is E!pire,
&o(eer, %i% not in#l*%e t&e Aer!an lan%s (&i#& re!aine% *n%er t&e Habsb*rg Cro(n+ T&ese (ere ,no(n as Aer!an
A*stria+ It (as 8is!ar#,s %rea! to *nite Aer!an A*stria (it& t&e Aer!an E!pireC b*t it re!aine% onl" a %rea! *ntil
Hitler t*rne% it into a realit" in 1929+ It is (ell to bear t&at point in !in%, be#a*se t&is %rea! o$ re*niting all t&e Aer!an
states in one Rei#& &as been a %o!inant $eat*re o$ Aer!an patriotis! an% states!ans&ip $or oer a #ent*r" an% &as been
one o$ Hitlers i%eals sin#e &is #&il%&oo%+
In )ein ;a!p$ Hitler o$ten spea,s o$ t&e East )ar,+ T&is East )ar, 1 i+e+ eastern $rontier lan% 1 (as $o*n%e% b"
C&arle!agne as t&e eastern b*l(ar, o$ t&e E!pire+ It (as in&abite% prin#ipall" b" Aer!ano1Celti# tribes #alle% 8a0*ari
an% stoo% $or #ent*ries as t&e $ir! b*l(ar, o$ 3estern C&risten%o! against inasion $ro! t&e East, espe#iall" against t&e
T*r,s+ Aeograp&i#all" it (as al!ost i%enti#al (it& Aer!an A*stria+
T&ere are a $e( points !ore t&at I (is& to !ention in t&is intro%*#tor" note+ For instan#e, I &ae let t&e (or%
3eltans#&&a**ng stan% in its original $or! er" o$ten+ 3e &ae no one Englis& (or% to #one" t&e sa!e !eaning as t&e
Aer!an (or%, an% it (o*l% &ae b*r%ene% t&e te5t too !*#& i$ I (ere to *se a #ir#*!lo#*tion ea#& ti!e t&e (or% o##*rs+
3eltans#&&a**ng literall" !eans DO*tloo,1on1t&e 3orl%E+ 8*t as generall" *se% in Aer!an t&is o*tloo, on t&e (orl%
!eans a (&ole s"ste! o$ i%eas asso#iate% toget&er in an organi# *nit" 1 i%eas o$ &*!an li$e, &*!an al*es, #*lt*ral an%
religio*s i%eas, politi#s, e#ono!i#s, et#+, in $a#t a totalitarian ie( o$ &*!an e5isten#e+ T&*s C&ristianit" #o*l% be #alle% a
3eltans#&&a**ng, an% )o&a!!e%anis! #o*l% be #alle% a 3eltans#&&a**ng, an% So#ialis! #o*l% be #alle% a
3eltans#&&a**ng, espe#iall" as prea#&e% in R*ssia+ .ational So#ialis! #lai!s %e$initel" to be a 3eltans#&&a**ng+
Anot&er (or% I &ae o$ten le$t stan%ing in t&e original is Jl,is#&+ T&e basi# (or% &ere is Bol,, (&i#& is so!eti!es
translate% as PeopleC b*t t&e Aer!an (or%, Bol,, !eans t&e (&ole bo%" o$ t&e people (it&o*t an" %istin#tion o$ #lass or
#aste+ It is a pri!ar" (or% also t&at s*ggests (&at !ig&t be #alle% t&e basi# national sto#,+ .o(, a$ter t&e %e$eat in 1919,
t&e %o(n$all o$ t&e )onar#&" an% t&e %estr*#tion o$ t&e aristo#ra#" an% t&e *pper #lasses, t&e #on#ept o$ =as Bol, #a!e
into pro!inen#e as t&e *ni$"ing #o1e$$i#ient (&i#& (o*l% e!bra#e t&e (&ole Aer!an people+ Hen#e t&e large n*!ber o$
Jl,is#& so#ieties t&at arose a$ter t&e (ar an% &en#e also t&e .ational So#ialist #on#ept o$ *ni$i#ation (&i#& is e5presse%
b" t&e (or% Bol,sge!eins#&a$t, or $ol, #o!!*nit"+ T&is is *se% in #ontra%istin#tion to t&e So#ialist #on#ept o$ t&e nation
as being %ii%e% into #lasses+ Hitlers i%eal is t&e BJl,is#&er Staat, (&i#& I &ae translate% as t&e Peoples State+
Finall", I (o*l% point o*t t&at t&e ter! So#ial =e!o#ra#" !a" be !islea%ing in Englis&, as it &as not a %e!o#rati#
#onnotation in o*r sense+ It (as t&e na!e gien to t&e So#ialist Part" in Aer!an"+ An% t&at Part" (as p*rel" )ar5istC b*t
it a%opte% t&e na!e So#ial =e!o#rat in or%er to appeal to t&e %e!o#rati# se#tions o$ t&e Aer!an people+
-A)ES )URPHK+
Abbots 'angle", Febr*ar", 1929
E5#erpts4
L3&at soon gae !e #a*se $or er" serio*s #onsi%eration (ere t&e a#tiities o$ t&e -e(s in #ertain bran#&es o$ li$e, into t&e
!"ster" o$ (&i#& I penetrate% little b" little+ 3as t&ere an" s&a%" *n%erta,ing, an" $or! o$ $o*lness, espe#iall" in #*lt*ral
li$e, in (&i#& at least one -e( %i% not parti#ipate@ On p*tting t&e probing ,ni$e #are$*ll" to t&at ,in% o$ abs#ess one
i!!e%iatel" %is#oere%, li,e a !aggot in a p*tres#ent bo%", a little -e( (&o (as o$ten blin%e% b" t&e s*%%en lig&t+L Fp+42G
LAn% so I beliee to1%a" t&at !" #on%*#t is in a##or%an#e (it& t&e (ill o$ t&e Al!ig&t" Creator+ In stan%ing g*ar% against
t&e -e( I a! %e$en%ing t&e &an%i(or, o$ t&e 'or%+L Fp+4<G
LT&e "o,e o$ slaer" is an% al(a"s (ill re!ain t&e !ost *npleasant e5perien#e t&at !an,in% #an en%*re+ =o t&e
S#&(abing %e#a%ents loo, *pon Aer!an"s lot to1%a" as Maest&eti#@ O$ #o*rse, one %oesnt %is#*ss s*#& a /*estion (it&
t&e -e(s, be#a*se t&e" are t&e !o%ern inentors o$ t&is #*lt*ral per$*!e+ T&eir er" e5isten#e is an in#arnate %enial o$ t&e
bea*t" o$ Ao%s i!age in His #reation+L Fp+17:G
L3&at (e &ae to $ig&t $or is t&e ne#essar" se#*rit" $or t&e e5isten#e an% in#rease o$ o*r ra#e an% people, t&e s*bsisten#e
o$ its #&il%ren an% t&e !aintenan#e o$ o*r ra#ial sto#, *n!i5e%, t&e $ree%o! an% in%epen%en#e o$ t&e Fat&erlan%C so t&at
o*r people !a" be enable% to $*l$il t&e !ission assigne% to it b" t&e Creator+L Fp+126G
LFro! ti!e i!!e!orial, &o(eer, t&e -e(s &ae ,no(n better t&an an" ot&ers &o( $alse&oo% an% #al*!n" #an be
e5ploite%+ Is not t&eir er" e5isten#e $o*n%e% on one great lie, na!el", t&at t&e" are a religio*s #o!!*nit", (&ereas in
realit" t&e" are a ra#e@ An% (&at a ra#eN One o$ t&e greatest t&in,ers t&at !an,in% &as pro%*#e% &as bran%e% t&e -e(s $or
all ti!e (it& a state!ent (&i#& is pro$o*n%l" an% e5a#tl" tr*e+ He FS#&open&a*erG #alle% t&e -e( DT&e Areat )aster o$
'iesE+ T&ose (&o %o not reali>e t&e tr*t& o$ t&at state!ent, or %o not (is& to beliee it, (ill neer be able to len% a &an% in
&elping Tr*t& to preail+L Fp+124G
LIn s&ort, t&e res*lts o$ !is#egenation are al(a"s t&e $ollo(ing4
FaG T&e leel o$ t&e s*perior ra#e be#o!es lo(ere%C
FbG p&"si#al an% !ental %egeneration sets in, t&*s lea%ing slo(l" b*t stea%il" to(ar%s a progressie %r"ing *p o$ t&e ital
sap+
T&e a#t (&i#& brings abo*t s*#& a %eelop!ent is a sin against t&e (ill o$ t&e Eternal Creator+ An% as a sin t&is a#t (ill be
aenge%+ )ans e$$ort to b*il% *p so!et&ing t&at #ontra%i#ts t&e iron logi# o$ .at*re brings &i! into #on$li#t (it& t&ose
prin#iples to (&i#& &e &i!sel$ e5#l*siel" o(es &is o(n e5isten#e+ 8" a#ting against t&e la(s o$ .at*re &e prepares t&e
(a" t&at lea%s to &is r*in+L Fp+1<2G
LIt is 0*st at t&ose 0*n#t*res (&en t&e i%ealisti# attit*%e t&reatens to %isappear t&at (e noti#e a (ea,ening o$ t&is $or#e
(&i#& is a ne#essar" #onstit*ent in t&e $o*n%ing an% !aintenan#e o$ t&e #o!!*nit" an% is t&ereb" a ne#essar" #on%ition
o$ #iili>ation+ As soon as t&e spirit o$ egotis! begins to preail a!ong a people t&en t&e bon%s o$ t&e so#ial or%er brea,
an% !an, b" see,ing &is o(n personal &appiness, eritabl" t*!bles o*t o$ &eaen an% $alls into &ell+L Fp+1<7G
LIn ti!es o$ %istress a (ae o$ p*bli# anger &as *s*all" arisen against t&e -e(C t&e !asses &ae ta,en t&e la( into t&eir
o(n &an%sC t&e" &ae sei>e% -e(is& propert" an% r*ine% t&e -e( in t&eir *rge to prote#t t&e!seles against (&at t&e"
#onsi%er to be a s#o*rge o$ Ao%+ Haing #o!e to ,no( t&e -e( inti!atel" t&ro*g& t&e #o*rse o$ #ent*ries, in ti!es o$
%istress t&e" loo,e% *pon &is presen#e a!ong t&e! as a p*bli# %anger #o!parable onl" to t&e plag*e+L Fp+1:4G
LHe (ill stop at not&ing+ His *tterl" lo(1%o(n #on%*#t is so appalling t&at one reall" #annot be s*rprise% i$ in t&e
i!agination o$ o*r people t&e -e( is pi#t*re% as t&e in#arnation o$ Satan an% t&e s"!bol o$ eil+ T&e ignoran#e o$ t&e
broa% !asses as regar%s t&e inner #&ara#ter o$ t&e -e(, an% t&e la#, o$ instin#t an% insig&t t&at o*r *pper #lasses %ispla",
are so!e o$ t&e reasons (&i#& e5plain &o( it is t&at so !an" people $all an eas" pre" to t&e s"ste!ati# #a!paign o$
$alse&oo% (&i#& t&e -e( #arries on+ 3&ile t&e *pper #lasses, (it& t&eir innate #o(ar%liness, t*rn a(a" $ro! an"one (&o!
t&e -e( t&*s atta#,s (it& lies an% #al*!n", t&e #o!!on people are #re%*lo*s o$ eer"t&ing, (&et&er be#a*se o$ t&eir
ignoran#e or t&eir si!ple1!in%e%ness+ Aoern!ent a*t&orities (rap t&e!seles *p in a robe o$ silen#e, b*t !ore
$re/*entl" t&e" perse#*te t&e i#ti!s o$ -e(is& atta#,s in or%er to stop t&e #a!paign in t&e -e(is& Press+L Fp+194G
LHo( %eoi% o$ i%eals an% &o( ignoble is t&e (&ole #onte!porar" s"ste!N T&e $a#t t&at t&e #&*r#&es 0oin in #o!!itting
t&is sin against t&e i!age o$ Ao%, een t&o*g& t&e" #ontin*e to e!p&asi>e t&e %ignit" o$ t&at i!age, is /*ite in ,eeping
(it& t&eir present a#tiities+ T&e" tal, abo*t t&e Spirit, b*t t&e" allo( !an, as t&e e!bo%i!ent o$ t&e Spirit, to %egenerate
to t&e proletarian leel+ T&en t&e" loo, on (it& a!a>e!ent (&en t&e" reali>e &o( s!all is t&e in$l*en#e o$ t&e C&ristian
Fait& in t&eir o(n #o*ntr" an% &o( %eprae% an% *ngo%l" is t&is ri$$1ra$$ (&i#& is p&"si#all" %egenerate an% t&ere$ore
!orall" %egenerate also+ To balan#e t&is state o$ a$$airs t&e" tr" to #onert t&e Hottentots an% t&e O*l*s an% t&e ;a$$irs an%
to besto( on t&e! t&e blessings o$ t&e C&*r#&+ 3&ile o*r E*ropean people, Ao% be praise% an% t&an,e%, are le$t to
be#o!e t&e i#ti!s o$ !oral %eprait", t&e pio*s !issionar" goes o*t to Central A$ri#a an% establis&es !issionar" stations
$or negroes+ Finall", so*n% an% &ealt&" 1 t&o*g& pri!itie an% ba#,(ar% 1 people (ill be trans$or!e%, *n%er t&e na!e o$
o*r M&ig&er #iili>ation, into a !otle" o$ la>" an% br*tali>e% !ongrels+L Fp+22<G
L'oo, at t&e raages $ro! (&i#& o*r people are s*$$ering %ail" as a res*lt o$ being #onta!inate% (it& -e(is& bloo%+ 8ear
in !in% t&e $a#t t&at t&is poisono*s #onta!ination #an be eli!inate% $ro! t&e national bo%" onl" a$ter #ent*ries, or
per&aps neer+ T&in, $*rt&er o$ &o( t&e pro#ess o$ ra#ial %e#o!position is %ebasing an% in so!e #ases een %estro"ing t&e
$*n%a!ental Ar"an /*alities o$ o*r Aer!an people, so t&at o*r #*lt*ral #reatieness as a nation is gra%*all" be#o!ing
i!potent an% (e are r*nning t&e %anger, at least in o*r great #ities, o$ $alling to t&e leel (&ere So*t&ern Ital" is to1%a"+
T&is pestilential a%*lteration o$ t&e bloo%, o$ (&i#& &*n%re%s o$ t&o*san%s o$ o*r people ta,e no a##o*nt, is being
s"ste!ati#all" pra#tise% b" t&e -e( to1%a"+ S"ste!ati#all" t&ese negroi% parasites in o*r national bo%" #orr*pt o*r inno#ent
$air1&aire% girls an% t&*s %estro" so!et&ing (&i#& #an no longer be repla#e% in t&is (orl%+
T&e t(o C&ristian %eno!inations loo, on (it& in%i$$eren#e at t&e pro$anation an% %estr*#tion o$ a noble an% *ni/*e
#reat*re (&o (as gien to t&e (orl% as a gi$t o$ Ao%s gra#e+ For t&e $*t*re o$ t&e (orl%, &o(eer, it %oes not !atter
(&i#& o$ t&e t(o tri*!p&s oer t&e ot&er, t&e Cat&oli# or t&e Protestant+ 8*t it %oes !atter (&et&er Ar"an &*!anit"
s*ries or peris&es+ An% "et t&e t(o C&ristian %eno!inations are not #onten%ing against t&e %estro"er o$ Ar"an &*!anit"
b*t are tr"ing to %estro" one anot&er+ Eer"bo%" (&o &as t&e rig&t ,in% o$ $eeling $or &is #o*ntr" is sole!nl" bo*n%, ea#&
(it&in &is o(n %eno!ination, to see to it t&at &e is not #onstantl" tal,ing abo*t t&e 3ill o$ Ao% !erel" $ro! t&e lips b*t
t&at in a#t*al $a#t &e $*l$ils t&e 3ill o$ Ao% an% %oes not allo( Ao%s &an%i(or, to be %ebase%+ For it (as b" t&e 3ill o$
Ao% t&at !en (ere !a%e o$ a #ertain bo%il" s&ape, (ere gien t&eir nat*res an% t&eir $a#*lties+ 3&oeer %estro"s His
(or, (ages (ar against Ao%s Creation an% Ao%s 3ill+L Fp+217G
Bol*!e One, LRetrospe#tL 1 C&apter One LIn t&e Ho!e o$ )" Parents
It &as t*rne% o*t $ort*nate $or !e to1%a" t&at %estin" appointe% 8ra*na*1on1t&e1Inn to be !" birt&pla#e+ For t&at little
to(n is sit*ate% 0*st on t&e $rontier bet(een t&ose t(o States t&e re*nion o$ (&i#& see!s, at least to *s o$ t&e "o*nger
generation, a tas, to (&i#& (e s&o*l% %eote o*r lies an% in t&e p*rs*it o$ (&i#& eer" possible !eans s&o*l% be
e!plo"e%+
Aer!an1A*stria !*st be restore% to t&e great Aer!an )ot&erlan%+ An% not in%ee% on an" gro*n%s o$ e#ono!i#
#al#*lation (&atsoeer+ .o, no+ Een i$ t&e *nion (ere a !atter o$ e#ono!i# in%i$$eren#e, an% een i$ it (ere to be
%isa%antageo*s $ro! t&e e#ono!i# stan%point, still it o*g&t to ta,e pla#e+ People o$ t&e sa!e bloo% s&o*l% be in t&e sa!e
Rei#&+ T&e Aer!an people (ill &ae no rig&t to engage in a #olonial poli#" *ntil t&e" s&all &ae bro*g&t all t&eir #&il%ren
toget&er in t&e one State+ 3&en t&e territor" o$ t&e Rei#& e!bra#es all t&e Aer!ans an% $in%s itsel$ *nable to ass*re t&e!
a lieli&oo%, onl" t&en #an t&e !oral rig&t arise, $ro! t&e nee% o$ t&e people to a#/*ire $oreign territor"+ T&e plo*g& is
t&en t&e s(or%C an% t&e tears o$ (ar (ill pro%*#e t&e %ail" brea% $or t&e generations to #o!e+
An% so t&is little $rontier to(n appeare% to !e as t&e s"!bol o$ a great tas,+ 8*t in anot&er regar% also it points to a lesson
t&at is appli#able to o*r %a"+ Oer a &*n%re% "ears ago t&is se/*estere% spot (as t&e s#ene o$ a tragi# #ala!it" (&i#&
a$$e#te% t&e (&ole Aer!an nation an% (ill be re!e!bere% $or eer, at least in t&e annals o$ Aer!an &istor"+ At t&e ti!e
o$ o*r Fat&erlan%s %eepest &*!iliation a boo,seller, -o&annes Pal!, *n#o!pro!ising nationalist an% ene!" o$ t&e
Fren#&, (as p*t to %eat& &ere be#a*se &e &a% t&e !is$ort*ne to &ae loe% Aer!an" (ell+ He obstinatel" re$*se% to
%is#lose t&e na!es o$ &is asso#iates, or rat&er t&e prin#ipals (&o (ere #&ie$l" responsible $or t&e a$$air+ -*st as it &appene%
(it& 'eo S#&lageter+ T&e $or!er, li,e t&e latter, (as %eno*n#e% to t&e Fren#& b" a Aoern!ent agent+ It (as a %ire#tor o$
poli#e $ro! A*gsb*rg (&o (on an ignoble reno(n on t&at o##asion an% set t&e e5a!ple (&i#& (as to be #opie% at a later
%ate b" t&e neo1Aer!an o$$i#ials o$ t&e Rei#& *n%er Herr Seerings regi!e 1G+
In t&is little to(n on t&e Inn, &aloe% b" t&e !e!or" o$ a Aer!an !art"r, a to(n t&at (as 8aarian b" bloo% b*t *n%er t&e
r*le o$ t&e A*strian State, !" parents (ere %o!i#ile% to(ar%s t&e en% o$ t&e last #ent*r"+ )" $at&er (as a #iil serant
(&o $*l$ille% &is %*ties er" #ons#ientio*sl"+ )" !ot&er loo,e% a$ter t&e &o*se&ol% an% loingl" %eote% &ersel$ to t&e
#are o$ &er #&il%ren+ Fro! t&at perio% I &ae not retaine% er" !*#& in !" !e!or"C be#a*se a$ter a $e( "ears !" $at&er
&a% to leae t&at $rontier to(n (&i#& I &a% #o!e to loe so !*#& an% ta,e *p a ne( post $art&er %o(n t&e Inn alle", at
Passa*, t&ere$ore a#t*all" in Aer!an" itsel$+
In t&ose %a"s it (as t&e *s*al lot o$ an A*strian #iil serant to be trans$erre% perio%i#all" $ro! one post to anot&er+ .ot
long a$ter #o!ing to Passa* !" $at&er (as trans$erre% to 'in>, an% (&ile t&ere &e retire% $inall" to lie on &is pension+ 8*t
t&is %i% not !ean t&at t&e ol% gentle!an (o*l% no( rest $ro! &is labo*rs+
He (as t&e son o$ a poor #ottager, an% (&ile still a bo" &e gre( restless an% le$t &o!e+ 3&en &e (as barel" t&irteen "ears
ol% &e b*#,le% on &is sat#&el an% set $ort& $ro! &is natie (oo%lan% paris&+ =espite t&e %iss*asion o$ illagers (&o #o*l%
spea, $ro! Me5perien#e, &e (ent to Bienna to learn a tra%e t&ere+ T&is (as in t&e $i$tiet& "ear o$ t&e last #ent*r"+ It (as a
sore trial, t&at o$ %e#i%ing to leae &o!e an% $a#e t&e *n,no(n, (it& t&ree g*l%en in &is po#,et+ 8" (&en t&e bo" o$
t&irteen (as a la% o$ seenteen an% &a% passe% &is apprenti#es&ip e5a!ination as a #ra$ts!an &e (as not #ontent+ P*ite
t&e #ontrar"+ T&e persistent e#ono!i# %epression o$ t&at perio% an% t&e #onstant (ant an% !iser" strengt&ene% &is
resol*tion to gie *p (or,ing at a tra%e an% strie $or Mso!et&ing &ig&er+ As a bo" it &a% see!e% to &i! t&at t&e position
o$ t&e paris& priest in &is natie illage (as t&e &ig&est in t&e s#ale o$ &*!an attain!entC b*t no( t&at t&e big #it" &a%
enlarge% &is o*tloo, t&e "o*ng !an loo,e% *p to t&e %ignit" o$ a State o$$i#ial as t&e &ig&est o$ all+ 3it& t&e tena#it" o$
one (&o! !iser" an% tro*ble &a% alrea%" !a%e ol% (&en onl" &al$1(a" t&ro*g& &is "o*t& t&e "o*ng !an o$ seenteen
obstinatel" set o*t on &is ne( pro0e#t an% st*#, to it *ntil &e (on t&ro*g&+ He be#a!e a #iil serant+ He (as abo*t
t(ent"1t&ree "ears ol%, I t&in,, (&en &e s*##ee%e% in !a,ing &i!sel$ (&at &e &a% resole% to be#o!e+ T&*s &e (as able
to $*l$il t&e pro!ise &e &a% !a%e as a poor bo" not to ret*rn to &is natie illage *ntil &e (as Mso!ebo%"+
He &a% gaine% &is en%+ 8*t in t&e illage t&ere (as nobo%" (&o &a% re!e!bere% &i! as a little bo", an% t&e illage itsel$
&a% be#o!e strange to &i!+
.o( at last, (&en &e (as $i$t"1si5 "ears ol%, &e gae *p &is a#tie #areerC b*t &e #o*l% not bear to be i%le $or a single %a"+
On t&e o*ts,irts o$ t&e s!all !ar,et to(n o$ 'a!ba#& in Upper A*stria &e bo*g&t a $ar! an% tille% it &i!sel$+ T&*s, at t&e
en% o$ a long an% &ar%1(or,ing #areer, &e #a!e ba#, to t&e li$e (&i#& &is $at&er &a% le%+
It (as at t&is perio% t&at I $irst began to &ae i%eals o$ !" o(n+ I spent a goo% %eal o$ ti!e s#a!pering abo*t in t&e open,
on t&e long roa% $ro! s#&ool, an% !i5ing *p (it& so!e o$ t&e ro*g&est o$ t&e bo"s, (&i#& #a*se% !" !ot&er !an"
an5io*s !o!ents+ All t&is ten%e% to !a,e !e so!et&ing /*ite t&e reerse o$ a sta"1at1&o!e+ I gae s#ar#el" an" serio*s
t&o*g&t to t&e /*estion o$ #&oosing a o#ation in li$eC b*t I (as #ertainl" /*ite o*t o$ s"!pat&" (it& t&e ,in% o$ #areer
(&i#& !" $at&er &a% $ollo(e%+ I t&in, t&at an inborn talent $or spea,ing no( began to %eelop an% ta,e s&ape %*ring t&e
!ore or less stren*o*s arg*!ents (&i#& I *se% to &ae (it& !" #o!ra%es+ I &a% be#o!e a 0*enile ringlea%er (&o learne%
(ell an% easil" at s#&ool b*t (as rat&er %i$$i#*lt to !anage+ In !" $reeti!e I pra#tise% singing in t&e #&oir o$ t&e
!onaster" #&*r#& at 'a!ba#&, an% t&*s it &appene% t&at I (as pla#e% in a er" $ao*rable position to be e!otionall"
i!presse% again an% again b" t&e !agni$i#ent splen%o*r o$ e##lesiasti#al #ere!onial+ 3&at #o*l% be !ore nat*ral $or !e
t&an to loo, *pon t&e Abbot as representing t&e &ig&est &*!an i%eal (ort& striing $or, 0*st as t&e position o$ t&e &*!ble
illage priest &a% appeare% to !" $at&er in &is o(n bo"&oo% %a"s@ At least, t&at (as !" i%ea $or a (&ile+ 8*t t&e 0*enile
%isp*tes I &a% (it& !" $at&er %i% not lea% &i! to appre#iate &is sons oratori#al gi$ts in s*#& a (a" as to see in t&e! a
$ao*rable pro!ise $or s*#& a #areer, an% so &e nat*rall" #o*l% not *n%erstan% t&e bo"is& i%eas I &a% in !" &ea% at t&at
ti!e+ T&is #ontra%i#tion in !" #&ara#ter !a%e &i! $eel so!e(&at an5io*s+
As a !atter o$ $a#t, t&at transitor" "earning a$ter s*#& a o#ation soon gae (a" to &opes t&at (ere better s*ite% to !"
te!pera!ent+ 8ro(sing t&ro*g& !" $at&ers boo,s, I #&an#e% to #o!e a#ross so!e p*bli#ations t&at %ealt (it& !ilitar"
s*b0e#ts+ One o$ t&ese p*bli#ations (as a pop*lar &istor" o$ t&e Fran#o1Aer!an 3ar o$ 19:71:1+ It #onsiste% o$ t(o
ol*!es o$ an ill*strate% perio%i#al %ating $ro! t&ose "ears+ T&ese be#a!e !" $ao*rite rea%ing+ In a little (&ile t&at
great an% &eroi# #on$li#t began to ta,e $irst pla#e in !" !in%+ An% $ro! t&at ti!e on(ar%s I be#a!e !ore an% !ore
ent&*siasti# abo*t eer"t&ing t&at (as in an" (a" #onne#te% (it& (ar or !ilitar" a$$airs+
8*t t&is stor" o$ t&e Fran#o1Aer!an 3ar &a% a spe#ial signi$i#an#e $or !e on ot&er gro*n%s also+ For t&e $irst ti!e, an% as
"et onl" in /*ite a ag*e (a", t&e /*estion began to present itsel$4 Is t&ere a %i$$eren#e 1 an% i$ t&ere be, (&at is it 1
bet(een t&e Aer!ans (&o $o*g&t t&at (ar an% t&e ot&er Aer!ans@ 3&" %i% not A*stria also ta,e part in it@ 3&" %i% not
!" $at&er an% all t&e ot&ers $ig&t in t&at str*ggle@ Are (e not t&e sa!e as t&e ot&er Aer!ans@ =o (e not all belong
toget&er@
T&at (as t&e $irst ti!e t&at t&is proble! began to agitate !" s!all brain+ An% $ro! t&e replies t&at (ere gien to t&e
/*estions (&i#& I as,e% er" tentatiel", I (as $or#e% to a##ept t&e $a#t, t&o*g& (it& a se#ret en", t&at not all Aer!ans
&a% t&e goo% l*#, to belong to 8is!ar#,s E!pire+ T&is (as so!et&ing t&at I #o*l% not *n%erstan%+
It (as %e#i%e% t&at I s&o*l% st*%"+ Consi%ering !" #&ara#ter as a (&ole, an% espe#iall" !" te!pera!ent, !" $at&er
%e#i%e% t&at t&e #lassi#al s*b0e#ts st*%ie% at t&e '"#e*! (ere not s*ite% to !" nat*ral talents+ He t&o*g&t t&at t&e
Reals#&*le 2G (o*l% s*it !e better+ )" obio*s talent $or %ra(ing #on$ir!e% &i! in t&at ie(C $or in &is opinion %ra(ing
(as a s*b0e#t too !*#& negle#te% in t&e A*strian A"!nasi*!+ Probabl" also t&e !e!or" o$ t&e &ar% roa% (&i#& &e
&i!sel$ &a% traelle% #ontrib*te% to !a,e &i! loo, *pon #lassi#al st*%ies as *npra#ti#al an% a##or%ingl" to set little al*e
on t&e!+ At t&e ba#, o$ &is !in% &e &a% t&e i%ea t&at &is son also s&o*l% be#o!e an o$$i#ial o$ t&e Aoern!ent+ In%ee% &e
&a% %e#i%e% on t&at #areer $or !e+ T&e %i$$i#*lties t&ro*g& (&i#& &e &a% to str*ggle in !a,ing &is o(n #areer le% &i! to
oeresti!ate (&at &e &a% a#&iee%, be#a*se t&is (as e5#l*siel" t&e res*lt o$ &is o(n in%e$atigable in%*str" an% energ"+
T&e #&ara#teristi# pri%e o$ t&e sel$1!a%e !an *rge% &i! to(ar%s t&e i%ea t&at &is son s&o*l% $ollo( t&e sa!e #alling an%
i$ possible rise to a &ig&er position in it+ )oreoer, t&is i%ea (as strengt&ene% b" t&e #onsi%eration t&at t&e res*lts o$ &is
o(n li$es in%*str" &a% pla#e% &i! in a position to $a#ilitate &is sons a%an#e!ent in t&e sa!e #areer+
He (as si!pl" in#apable o$ i!agining t&at I !ig&t re0e#t (&at &a% !eant eer"t&ing in li$e to &i!+ )" $at&ers %e#ision
(as si!ple, %e$inite, #lear an%, in &is e"es, it (as so!et&ing to be ta,en $or grante%+ A !an o$ s*#& a nat*re (&o &a%
be#o!e an a*to#rat b" reason o$ &is o(n &ar% str*ggle $or e5isten#e, #o*l% not t&in, o$ allo(ing Mine5perien#e% an%
irresponsible "o*ng $ello(s to #&oose t&eir o(n #areers+ To a#t in s*#& a (a", (&ere t&e $*t*re o$ &is o(n son (as
#on#erne%, (o*l% &ae been a grae an% repre&ensible (ea,ness in t&e e5er#ise o$ parental a*t&orit" an% responsibilit",
so!et&ing *tterl" in#o!patible (it& &is #&ara#teristi# sense o$ %*t"+
An% "et it &a% to be ot&er(ise+
For t&e $irst ti!e in !" li$e 1 I (as t&en eleen "ears ol% 1 I $elt !"sel$ $or#e% into open opposition+ .o !atter &o( &ar%
an% %eter!ine% !" $at&er !ig&t be abo*t p*tting &is o(n plans an% opinions into a#tion, &is son (as no less obstinate in
re$*sing to a##ept i%eas on (&i#& &e set little or no al*e+
I (o*l% not be#o!e a #iil serant+
.o a!o*nt o$ pers*asion an% no a!o*nt o$ Mgrae (arnings #o*l% brea, %o(n t&at opposition+ I (o*l% not be#o!e a
State o$$i#ial, not on an" a##o*nt+ All t&e atte!pts (&i#& !" $at&er !a%e to aro*se in !e a loe or li,ing $or t&at
pro$ession, b" pi#t*ring &is o(n #areer $or !e, &a% onl" t&e opposite e$$e#t+ It na*seate% !e to t&in, t&at one %a" I !ig&t
be $ettere% to an o$$i#e stool, t&at I #o*l% not %ispose o$ !" o(n ti!e b*t (o*l% be $or#e% to spen% t&e (&ole o$ !" li$e
$illing o*t $or!s+
One #an i!agine (&at ,in% o$ t&o*g&ts s*#& a prospe#t a(a,ene% in t&e !in% o$ a "o*ng $ello( (&o (as b" no !eans
(&at is #alle% a Mgoo% bo" in t&e #*rrent sense o$ t&at ter!+ T&e ri%i#*lo*sl" eas" s#&ool tas,s (&i#& (e (ere gien !a%e
it possible $or !e to spen% $ar !ore ti!e in t&e open air t&an at &o!e+ To1%a", (&en !" politi#al opponents pr" into !"
li$e (it& %iligent s#r*tin", as $ar ba#, as t&e %a"s o$ !" bo"&oo%, so as $inall" to be able to proe (&at %isrep*table tri#,s
t&is Hitler (as a##*sto!e% to in &is "o*ng %a"s, I t&an, &eaen t&at I #an loo, ba#, to t&ose &app" %a"s an% $in% t&e
!e!or" o$ t&e! &elp$*l+ T&e $iel%s an% t&e (oo%s (ere t&en t&e terrain on (&i#& all %isp*tes (ere $o*g&t o*t+
Een atten%an#e at t&e Reals#&*le #o*l% not alter !" (a" o$ spen%ing !" ti!e+ 8*t I &a% no( anot&er battle to $ig&t+
So long as t&e paternal plan to !a,e a State $*n#tionar" #ontra%i#te% !" o(n in#linations onl" in t&e abstra#t, t&e #on$li#t
(as eas" to bear+ I #o*l% be %is#reet abo*t e5pressing !" personal ie(s an% t&*s aoi% #onstantl" re#*rrent %isp*tes+ )"
o(n resol*tion not to be#o!e a Aoern!ent o$$i#ial (as s*$$i#ient $or t&e ti!e being to p*t !" !in% #o!pletel" at rest+ I
&el% on to t&at resol*tion ine5orabl"+ 8*t t&e sit*ation be#a!e !ore %i$$i#*lt on#e I &a% a positie plan o$ !" o(n (&i#& I
!ig&t present to !" $at&er as a #o*nter1s*ggestion+ T&is &appene% (&en I (as t(ele "ears ol%+ Ho( it #a!e abo*t I
#annot e5a#tl" sa" no(C b*t one %a" it be#a!e #lear to !e t&at I (o*l% be a painter 1 I !ean an artist+ T&at I &a% an
aptit*%e $or %ra(ing (as an a%!itte% $a#t+ It (as een one o$ t&e reasons (&" !" $at&er &a% sent !e to t&e Reals#&*leC b*t
&e &a% neer t&o*g&t o$ &aing t&at talent %eelope% in s*#& a (a" t&at I #o*l% ta,e *p painting as a pro$essional #areer+
P*ite t&e #ontrar"+ 3&en, as a res*lt o$ !" rene(e% re$*sal to a%opt &is $ao*rite plan, !" $at&er as,e% !e $or t&e $irst
ti!e (&at I !"sel$ reall" (is&e% to be, t&e resol*tion t&at I &a% alrea%" $or!e% e5presse% itsel$ al!ost a*to!ati#all"+ For a
(&ile !" $at&er (as spee#&less+ LA painter@ An artist1painter@L &e e5#lai!e%+
He (on%ere% (&et&er I (as in a so*n% state o$ !in%+ He t&o*g&t t&at &e !ig&t not &ae #a*g&t !" (or%s rig&tl", or t&at
&e &a% !is*n%erstoo% (&at I !eant+ 8*t (&en I &a% e5plaine% !" i%eas to &i! an% &e sa( &o( serio*sl" I too, t&e!, &e
oppose% t&e! (it& t&at $*ll %eter!ination (&i#& (as #&ara#teristi# o$ &i!+ His %e#ision (as e5#ee%ingl" si!ple an% #o*l%
not be %e$le#te% $ro! its #o*rse b" an" #onsi%eration o$ (&at !" o(n nat*ral /*ali$i#ations reall" (ere+
LArtistN .ot as long as I lie, neer+L As t&e son &a% in&erite% so!e o$ t&e $at&ers obstina#", besi%es &aing ot&er
/*alities o$ &is o(n, !" repl" (as e/*all" energeti#+ 8*t it state% so!et&ing /*ite t&e #ontrar"+
At t&at o*r str*ggle be#a!e stale!ate+ T&e $at&er (o*l% not aban%on &is M.eer, an% I be#a!e all t&e !ore #onsoli%ate%
in !" M.eert&eless+
.at*rall" t&e res*lting sit*ation (as not pleasant+ T&e ol% gentle!an (as bitterl" anno"e%C an% in%ee% so (as I, alt&o*g&
I reall" loe% &i!+ )" $at&er $orba%e !e to entertain an" &opes o$ ta,ing *p t&e art o$ painting as a pro$ession+ I (ent a
step $*rt&er an% %e#lare% t&at I (o*l% not st*%" an"t&ing else+ 3it& s*#& %e#larations t&e sit*ation be#a!e still !ore
straine%, so t&at t&e ol% gentle!an irreo#abl" %e#i%e% to assert &is parental a*t&orit" at all #osts+ T&at le% !e to a%opt an
attit*%e o$ #ir#*!spe#t silen#e, b*t I p*t !" t&reat into e5e#*tion+ I t&o*g&t t&at, on#e it be#a!e #lear to !" $at&er t&at I
(as !a,ing no progress at t&e Reals#&*le, $or (eal or $or (oe, &e (o*l% be $or#e% to allo( !e to $ollo( t&e &app" #areer I
&a% %rea!e% o$+
I %o not ,no( (&et&er I #al#*late% rig&tl" or not+ Certainl" !" $ail*re to !a,e progress be#a!e /*ite isible in t&e s#&ool+
I st*%ie% 0*st t&e s*b0e#ts t&at appeale% to !e, espe#iall" t&ose (&i#& I t&o*g&t !ig&t be o$ a%antage to !e later on as a
painter+ 3&at %i% not appear to &ae an" i!portan#e $ro! t&is point o$ ie(, or (&at %i% not ot&er(ise appeal to !e
$ao*rabl", I #o!pletel" sabotage%+ )" s#&ool reports o$ t&at ti!e (ere al(a"s in t&e e5tre!es o$ goo% or ba%, a##or%ing
to t&e s*b0e#t an% t&e interest it &a% $or !e+ In one #ol*!n !" /*ali$i#ation rea% Mer" goo% or Me5#ellent+ In anot&er it
rea% Maerage or een Mbelo( aerage+ 8" $ar !" best s*b0e#ts (ere geograp&" an%, een !ore so, general &istor"+ T&ese
(ere !" t(o $ao*rite s*b0e#ts, an% I le% t&e #lass in t&e!+
3&en I loo, ba#, oer so !an" "ears an% tr" to 0*%ge t&e res*lts o$ t&at e5perien#e I $in% t(o er" signi$i#ant $a#ts
stan%ing o*t #learl" be$ore !" !in%+
First, I be#a!e a nationalist+
Se#on%, I learne% to *n%erstan% an% grasp t&e tr*e !eaning o$ &istor"+
T&e ol% A*stria (as a !*lti1national State+ In t&ose %a"s at least t&e #iti>ens o$ t&e Aer!an E!pire, ta,en t&ro*g& an%
t&ro*g&, #o*l% not *n%erstan% (&at t&at $a#t !eant in t&e eer"%a" li$e o$ t&e in%ii%*als (it&in s*#& a State+ A$ter t&e
!agni$i#ent tri*!p&ant !ar#& o$ t&e i#torio*s ar!ies in t&e Fran#o1Aer!an 3ar t&e Aer!ans in t&e Rei#& be#a!e
stea%il" !ore an% !ore estrange% $ro! t&e Aer!ans be"on% t&eir $rontiers, partl" be#a*se t&e" %i% not %eign to appre#iate
t&ose ot&er Aer!ans at t&eir tr*e al*e or si!pl" be#a*se t&e" (ere in#apable o$ %oing so+
T&e Aer!ans o$ t&e Rei#& %i% not reali>e t&at i$ t&e Aer!ans in A*stria &a% not been o$ t&e best ra#ial sto#, t&e" #o*l%
neer &ae gien t&e sta!p o$ t&eir o(n #&ara#ter to an E!pire o$ 62 !illions, so %e$initel" t&at in Aer!an" itsel$ t&e i%ea
arose 1 t&o*g& /*ite an erroneo*s one 1 t&at A*stria (as a Aer!an State+ T&at (as an error (&i#& le% to %ire
#onse/*en#esC b*t all t&e sa!e it (as a !agni$i#ent testi!on" to t&e #&ara#ter o$ t&e ten !illion Aer!ans in t&at East
)ar,+ 2G Onl" er" $e( o$ t&e Aer!ans in t&e Rei#& itsel$ &a% an i%ea o$ t&e bitter str*ggle (&i#& t&ose Eastern Aer!ans
&a% to #arr" on %ail" $or t&e preseration o$ t&eir Aer!an lang*age, t&eir Aer!an s#&ools an% t&eir Aer!an #&ara#ter+
Onl" to1%a", (&en a tragi# $ate &as torn seeral !illions o$ o*r ,ins$ol, a(a" $ro! t&e Rei#& an% &as $or#e% t&e! to lie
*n%er t&e r*le o$ t&e stranger, %rea!ing o$ t&at #o!!on $at&erlan% to(ar%s (&i#& all t&eir "earnings are %ire#te% an%
str*ggling to *p&ol% at least t&e sa#re% rig&t o$ *sing t&eir !ot&er tong*e 1 onl" no( &ae t&e (i%er #ir#les o$ t&e Aer!an
pop*lation #o!e to reali>e (&at it !eans to &ae to $ig&t $or t&e tra%itions o$ ones ra#e+ An% so at last per&aps t&ere are
people &ere an% t&ere (&o #an assess t&e greatness o$ t&at Aer!an spirit (&i#& ani!ate% t&e ol% East )ar, an% enable%
t&ose people, le$t entirel" %epen%ent on t&eir o(n reso*r#es, to %e$en% t&e E!pire against t&e Orient $or seeral #ent*ries
an% s*bse/*entl" to &ol% $ast t&e $rontiers o$ t&e Aer!an lang*age t&ro*g& a g*erilla (ar$are o$ attrition, at a ti!e (&en
t&e Aer!an E!pire (as se%*lo*sl" #*ltiating an interest $or #olonies b*t not $or its o(n $les& an% bloo% be$ore t&e
t&res&ol% o$ its o(n %oor+
3&at &as &appene% al(a"s an% eer"(&ere, in eer" ,in% o$ str*ggle, &appene% also in t&e lang*age $ig&t (&i#& (as
#arrie% on in t&e ol% A*stria+ T&ere (ere t&ree gro*ps 1 t&e $ig&ters, t&e &e%gers an% t&e traitors+ Een in t&e s#&ools t&is
si$ting alrea%" began to ta,e pla#e+ An% it is (ort& noting t&at t&e str*ggle $or t&e lang*age (as (age% per&aps in its
bitterest $or! aro*n% t&e s#&oolC be#a*se t&is (as t&e n*rser" (&ere t&e see%s &a% to be (atere% (&i#& (ere to spring *p
an% $or! t&e $*t*re generation+ T&e ta#ti#al ob0e#tie o$ t&e $ig&t (as t&e (inning oer o$ t&e #&il%, an% it (as to t&e #&il%
t&at t&e $irst rall"ing #r" (as a%%resse%4
LAer!an "o*t&, %o not $orget t&at "o* are a Aer!an,L an% LRe!e!ber, little girl, t&at one %a" "o* !*st be a Aer!an
!ot&er+L
T&ose (&o ,no( so!et&ing o$ t&e 0*enile spirit #an *n%erstan% &o( "o*t& (ill al(a"s len% a gla% ear to s*#& a rall"ing
#r"+ Un%er !an" $or!s t&e "o*ng people le% t&e str*ggle, $ig&ting in t&eir o(n (a" an% (it& t&eir o(n (eapons+ T&e"
re$*se% to sing non1Aer!an songs+ T&e greater t&e e$$orts !a%e to (in t&e! a(a" $ro! t&eir Aer!an allegian#e, t&e !ore
t&e" e5alte% t&e glor" o$ t&eir Aer!an &eroes+ T&e" stinte% t&e!seles in b*"ing t&ings to eat, so t&at t&e" !ig&t spare
t&eir pennies to &elp t&e (ar #&est o$ t&eir el%ers+ T&e" (ere in#re%ibl" alert in t&e signi$i#an#e o$ (&at t&e non1Aer!an
tea#&ers sai% an% t&e" #ontra%i#te% in *nison+ T&e" (ore t&e $orbi%%en e!ble!s o$ t&eir o(n ,ins$ol, an% (ere &app"
(&en penalise% $or %oing so, or een p&"si#all" p*nis&e%+ In !iniat*re t&e" (ere !irrors o$ lo"alt" $ro! (&i#& t&e ol%er
people !ig&t learn a lesson+
An% t&*s it (as t&at at a #o!paratiel" earl" age I too, part in t&e str*ggle (&i#& t&e nationalities (ere (aging against
one anot&er in t&e ol% A*stria+ 3&en !eetings (ere &el% $or t&e So*t& )ar, Aer!an 'eag*e an% t&e S#&ool 'eag*e (e
(ore #orn$lo(ers an% bla#,1re%1gol% #olo*rs to e5press o*r lo"alt"+ 3e greete% one anot&er (it& HeilN an% instea% o$ t&e
A*strian ant&e! (e sang o*r o(n =e*ts#&lan% Hber Alles, %espite (arnings an% penalties+ T&*s t&e "o*t& (ere e%*#ate%
politi#all" at a ti!e (&en t&e #iti>ens o$ a so1#alle% national State $or t&e !ost part ,ne( little o$ t&eir o(n nationalit"
e5#ept t&e lang*age+ O$ #o*rse, I %i% not belong to t&e &e%gers+ 3it&in a little (&ile I &a% be#o!e an ar%ent MAer!an
.ational, (&i#& &as a %i$$erent !eaning $ro! t&e part" signi$i#an#e atta#&e% to t&at p&rase to1%a"+
I %eelope% er" rapi%l" in t&e nationalist %ire#tion, an% b" t&e ti!e I (as 16 "ears ol% I &a% #o!e to *n%erstan% t&e
%istin#tion bet(een %"nasti# patriotis! an% nationalis! base% on t&e #on#ept o$ $ol,, or people, !" in#lination being
entirel" in $ao*r o$ t&e latter+
S*#& a pre$eren#e !a" not per&aps be #learl" intelligible to t&ose (&o &ae neer ta,en t&e tro*ble to st*%" t&e internal
#on%itions t&at preaile% *n%er t&e Habsb*rg )onar#&"+
A!ong &istori#al st*%ies *niersal &istor" (as t&e s*b0e#t al!ost e5#l*siel" ta*g&t in t&e A*strian s#&ools, $or o$ spe#i$i#
A*strian &istor" t&ere (as onl" er" little+ T&e $ate o$ t&is State (as #losel" bo*n% *p (it& t&e e5isten#e an% %eelop!ent
o$ Aer!an" as a (&oleC so a %iision o$ &istor" into Aer!an &istor" an% A*strian &istor" (o*l% be pra#ti#all"
in#on#eiable+ An% in%ee% it (as onl" (&en t&e Aer!an people #a!e to be %ii%e% bet(een t(o States t&at t&is %iision o$
Aer!an &istor" began to ta,e pla#e+
T&e insignia 4G o$ a $or!er i!perial soereignt" (&i#& (ere still presere% in Bienna appeare% to a#t as !agi#al reli#s
rat&er t&an as t&e isible g*arantee o$ an eerlasting bon% o$ *nion+
3&en t&e Habsb*rg State #r*!ble% to pie#es in 1919 t&e A*strian Aer!ans instin#tiel" raise% an o*t#r" $or *nion (it&
t&eir Aer!an $at&erlan%+ T&at (as t&e oi#e o$ a *nani!o*s "earning in t&e &earts o$ t&e (&ole people $or a ret*rn to t&e
*n$orgotten &o!e o$ t&eir $at&ers+ 8*t s*#& a general "earning #o*l% not be e5plaine% e5#ept b" attrib*ting t&e #a*se o$ it
to t&e &istori#al training t&ro*g& (&i#& t&e in%ii%*al A*strian Aer!ans &a% passe%+ T&erein la" a spring t&at neer %rie%
*p+ Espe#iall" in ti!es o$ %istra#tion an% $orget$*lness its /*iet oi#e (as a re!in%er o$ t&e past, bi%%ing t&e people to
loo, o*t be"on% t&e !ere (el$are o$ t&e !o!ent to a ne( $*t*re+
T&e tea#&ing o$ *niersal &istor" in (&at are #alle% t&e !i%%le s#&ools is still er" *nsatis$a#tor"+ Fe( tea#&ers reali>e
t&at t&e p*rpose o$ tea#&ing &istor" is not t&e !e!ori>ing o$ so!e %ates an% $a#ts, t&at t&e st*%ent is not intereste% in
,no(ing t&e e5a#t %ate o$ a battle or t&e birt&%a" o$ so!e !ars&al or ot&er, an% not at all 1 or at least onl" er"
insigni$i#antl" 1 intereste% in ,no(ing (&en t&e #ro(n o$ &is $at&ers (as pla#e% on t&e bro( o$ so!e !onar#&+ T&ese are
#ertainl" not loo,e% *pon as i!portant !atters+
To st*%" &istor" !eans to sear#& $or an% %is#oer t&e $or#es t&at are t&e #a*ses o$ t&ose res*lts (&i#& appear be$ore o*r
e"es as &istori#al eents+ T&e art o$ rea%ing an% st*%"ing #onsists in re!e!bering t&e essentials an% $orgetting (&at is not
essential+
Probabl" !" (&ole $*t*re li$e (as %eter!ine% b" t&e $a#t t&at I &a% a pro$essor o$ &istor" (&o *n%erstoo%, as $e( ot&ers
*n%erstan%, &o( to !a,e t&is ie(point preail in tea#&ing an% in e5a!ining+ T&is tea#&er (as =r+ 'eopol% Poets#&, o$
t&e Reals#&*le at 'in>+ He (as t&e i%eal personi$i#ation o$ t&e /*alities ne#essar" to a tea#&er o$ &istor" in t&e sense I &ae
!entione% aboe+ An el%erl" gentle!an (it& a %e#isie !anner b*t a ,in%l" &eart, &e (as a er" attra#tie spea,er an%
(as able to inspire *s (it& &is o(n ent&*sias!+ Een to1%a" I #annot re#all (it&o*t e!otion t&at enerable personalit"
(&ose ent&*siasti# e5position o$ &istor" so o$ten !a%e *s entirel" $orget t&e present an% allo( o*rseles to be transporte%
as i$ b" !agi# into t&e past+ He penetrate% t&ro*g& t&e %i! !ist o$ t&o*san%s o$ "ears an% trans$or!e% t&e &istori#al
!e!or" o$ t&e %ea% past into a liing realit"+ 3&en (e listene% to &i! (e be#a!e a$ire (it& ent&*sias! an% (e (ere
so!eti!es !oe% een to tears+
It (as still !ore $ort*nate t&at t&is pro$essor (as able not onl" to ill*strate t&e past b" e5a!ples $ro! t&e present b*t $ro!
t&e past &e (as also able to %ra( a lesson $or t&e present+ He *n%erstoo% better t&an an" ot&er t&e eer"%a" proble!s t&at
(ere t&en agitating o*r !in%s+ T&e national $ero*r (&i#& (e $elt in o*r o(n s!all (a" (as *tili>e% b" &i! as an
instr*!ent o$ o*r e%*#ation, inas!*#& as &e o$ten appeale% to o*r national sense o$ &ono*rC $or in t&at (a" &e !aintaine%
or%er an% &el% o*r attention !*#& !ore easil" t&an &e #o*l% &ae %one b" an" ot&er !eans+ It (as be#a*se I &a% s*#& a
pro$essor t&at &istor" be#a!e !" $ao*rite s*b0e#t+ As a nat*ral #onse/*en#e, b*t (it&o*t t&e #ons#io*s #onnian#e o$ !"
pro$essor, I t&en an% t&ere be#a!e a "o*ng rebel+ 8*t (&o #o*l% &ae st*%ie% Aer!an &istor" *n%er s*#& a tea#&er an%
not be#o!e an ene!" o$ t&at State (&ose r*lers e5er#ise% s*#& a %isastro*s in$l*en#e on t&e %estinies o$ t&e Aer!an
nation@ Finall", &o( #o*l% one re!ain t&e $ait&$*l s*b0e#t o$ t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg, (&ose past &istor" an% present
#on%*#t proe% it to be rea%" eer an% al(a"s to betra" t&e interests o$ t&e Aer!an people $or t&e sa,e o$ paltr" personal
interests@ =i% not (e as "o*ngsters $*ll" reali>e t&at t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg %i% not, an% #o*l% not, &ae an" loe $or *s
Aer!ans@
3&at &istor" ta*g&t *s abo*t t&e poli#" $ollo(e% b" t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg (as #orroborate% b" o*r o(n eer"%a"
e5perien#es+ In t&e nort& an% in t&e so*t& t&e poison o$ $oreign ra#es (as eating into t&e bo%" o$ o*r people, an% een
Bienna (as stea%il" be#o!ing !ore an% !ore a non1Aer!an #it"+ T&e MI!perial Ho*se $ao*re% t&e C>e#&s on eer"
possible o##asion+ In%ee% it (as t&e &an% o$ t&e go%%ess o$ eternal 0*sti#e an% ine5orable retrib*tion t&at #a*se% t&e !ost
%ea%l" ene!" o$ Aer!anis! in A*stria, t&e Ar#&%*,e Fran> Fer%inan%, to $all b" t&e er" b*llets (&i#& &e &i!sel$ &a%
&elpe% to #ast+ 3or,ing $ro! aboe %o(n(ar%s, &e (as t&e #&ie$ patron o$ t&e !oe!ent to !a,e A*stria a Sla State+
T&e b*r%ens lai% on t&e s&o*l%ers o$ t&e Aer!an people (ere enor!o*s an% t&e sa#ri$i#es o$ !one" an% bloo% (&i#& t&e"
&a% to !a,e (ere in#re%ibl" &ea"+
Ket an"bo%" (&o (as not /*ite blin% !*st &ae seen t&at it (as all in ain+ 3&at a$$e#te% *s !ost bitterl" (as t&e
#ons#io*sness o$ t&e $a#t t&at t&is (&ole s"ste! (as !orall" s&iel%e% b" t&e allian#e (it& Aer!an", (&ereb" t&e slo(
e5tirpation o$ Aer!anis! in t&e ol% A*strian )onar#&" see!e% in so!e (a" to be !ore or less san#tione% b" Aer!an"
&ersel$+ Habsb*rg &"po#ris", (&i#& en%eao*re% o*t(ar%l" to !a,e t&e people beliee t&at A*stria still re!aine% a
Aer!an State, in#rease% t&e $eeling o$ &atre% against t&e I!perial Ho*se an% at t&e sa!e ti!e aro*se% a spirit o$ rebellion
an% #onte!pt+
8*t in t&e Aer!an E!pire itsel$ t&ose (&o (ere t&en its r*lers sa( not&ing o$ (&at all t&is !eant+ As i$ str*#, blin%, t&e"
stoo% besi%e a #orpse an% in t&e er" s"!pto!s o$ %e#o!position t&e" beliee% t&at t&e" re#ogni>e% t&e signs o$ a rene(e%
italit"+ In t&at *n&app" allian#e bet(een t&e "o*ng Aer!an E!pire an% t&e ill*sor" A*strian State la" t&e ger! o$ t&e
3orl% 3ar an% also o$ t&e $inal #ollapse+
In t&e s*bse/*ent pages o$ t&is boo, I s&all go to t&e root o$ t&e proble!+ S*$$i#e it to sa" &ere t&at in t&e er" earl" "ears
o$ !" "o*t& I #a!e to #ertain #on#l*sions (&i#& I &ae neer aban%one%+ In%ee% I be#a!e !ore pro$o*n%l" #onin#e% o$
t&e! as t&e "ears passe%+ T&e" (ere4 T&at t&e %issol*tion o$ t&e A*strian E!pire is a preli!inar" #on%ition $or t&e
%e$en#e o$ Aer!an"C $*rt&er, t&at national $eeling is b" no !eans i%enti#al (it& %"nasti# patriotis!C $inall", an% aboe all,
t&at t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg (as %estine% to bring !is$ort*ne to t&e Aer!an nation+
As a logi#al #onse/*en#e o$ t&ese #oni#tions, t&ere arose in !e a $eeling o$ intense loe $or !" Aer!an1A*strian &o!e
an% a pro$o*n% &atre% $or t&e A*strian State+
T&at ,in% o$ &istori#al t&in,ing (&i#& (as %eelope% in !e t&ro*g& !" st*%" o$ &istor" at s#&ool neer le$t !e
a$ter(ar%s+ 3orl% &istor" be#a!e !ore an% !ore an ine5&a*stible so*r#e $or t&e *n%erstan%ing o$ #onte!porar" &istori#al
eents, (&i#& !eans politi#s+ T&ere$ore I (ill not LlearnL politi#s b*t let politi#s tea#& !e+
A pre#o#io*s reol*tionar" in politi#s I (as no less a pre#o#io*s reol*tionar" in art+ At t&at ti!e t&e proin#ial #apital o$
Upper A*stria &a% a t&eatre (&i#&, relatiel" spea,ing, (as not ba%+ Al!ost eer"t&ing (as pla"e% t&ere+ 3&en I (as
t(ele "ears ol% I sa( 3illia! Tell per$or!e%+ T&at (as !" $irst e5perien#e o$ t&e t&eatre+ So!e !ont&s later I atten%e% a
per$or!an#e o$ 'o&engrin, t&e $irst opera I &a% eer &ear%+ I (as $as#inate% at on#e+ )" "o*t&$*l ent&*sias! $or t&e
8a"re*t& )aster ,ne( no li!its+ Again an% again I (as %ra(n to &ear &is operasC an% to1%a" I #onsi%er it a great pie#e o$
l*#, t&at t&ese !o%est pro%*#tions in t&e little proin#ial #it" prepare% t&e (a" an% !a%e it possible $or !e to appre#iate
t&e better pro%*#tions later on+
8*t all t&is &elpe% to intensi$" !" pro$o*n% aersion $or t&e #areer t&at !" $at&er &a% #&osen $or !eC an% t&is %isli,e
be#a!e espe#iall" strong as t&e ro*g& #orners o$ "o*t&$*l booris&ness be#a!e (orn o$$, a pro#ess (&i#& in !" #ase #a*se%
a goo% %eal o$ pain+ I be#a!e !ore an% !ore #onin#e% t&at I s&o*l% neer be &app" as a State o$$i#ial+ An% no( t&at t&e
Reals#&*le &a% re#ogni>e% an% a#,no(le%ge% !" aptit*%e $or %ra(ing, !" o(n resol*tion be#a!e all t&e stronger+
I!pre#ations an% t&reats &a% no longer an" #&an#e o$ #&anging it+ I (ante% to be#o!e a painter an% no po(er in t&e (orl%
#o*l% $or#e !e to be#o!e a #iil serant+ T&e onl" pe#*liar $eat*re o$ t&e sit*ation no( (as t&at as I gre( bigger I be#a!e
!ore an% !ore intereste% in ar#&ite#t*re+ I #onsi%ere% t&is $a#t as a nat*ral %eelop!ent o$ !" $lair $or painting an% I
re0oi#e% in(ar%l" t&at t&e sp&ere o$ !" artisti# interests (as t&*s enlarge%+ I &a% no notion t&at one %a" it (o*l% &ae to
be ot&er(ise+
T&e /*estion o$ !" #areer (as %e#i%e% !*#& sooner t&an I #o*l% &ae e5pe#te%+
3&en I (as in !" t&irteent& "ear !" $at&er (as s*%%enl" ta,en $ro! *s+ He (as still in rob*st &ealt& (&en a stro,e o$
apople5" painlessl" en%e% &is eart&l" (an%erings an% le$t *s all %eepl" bereae%+ His !ost ar%ent longing (as to be able to
&elp &is son to a%an#e in a #areer an% t&*s sae !e $ro! t&e &ars& or%eal t&at &e &i!sel$ &a% to go t&ro*g&+ 8*t it
appeare% to &i! t&en as i$ t&at longing (ere all in ain+ An% "et, t&o*g& &e &i!sel$ (as not #ons#io*s o$ it, &e &a% so(n
t&e see%s o$ a $*t*re (&i#& neit&er o$ *s $oresa( at t&at ti!e+
At $irst not&ing #&ange% o*t(ar%l"+
)" !ot&er $elt it &er %*t" to #ontin*e !" e%*#ation in a##or%an#e (it& !" $at&ers (is&es, (&i#& !eant t&at s&e (o*l%
&ae !e st*%" $or t&e #iil seri#e+ For !" o(n part I (as een !ore $ir!l" %eter!ine% t&an eer be$ore t&at *n%er no
#ir#*!stan#es (o*l% I be#o!e an o$$i#ial o$ t&e State+ T&e #*rri#*l*! an% tea#&ing !et&o%s $ollo(e% in t&e !i%%le s#&ool
(ere so $ar re!oe% $ro! !" i%eals t&at I be#a!e pro$o*n%l" in%i$$erent+ Illness s*%%enl" #a!e to !" assistan#e+ 3it&in a
$e( (ee,s it %e#i%e% !" $*t*re an% p*t an en% to t&e long1stan%ing $a!il" #on$li#t+ )" l*ngs be#a!e so serio*sl" a$$e#te%
t&at t&e %o#tor a%ise% !" !ot&er er" strongl" not *n%er an" #ir#*!stan#es to allo( !e to ta,e *p a #areer (&i#& (o*l%
ne#essitate (or,ing in an o$$i#e+ He or%ere% t&at I s&o*l% gie *p atten%an#e at t&e Reals#&*le $or a "ear at least+ 3&at I
&a% se#retl" %esire% $or s*#& a long ti!e, an% &a% persistentl" $o*g&t $or, no( be#a!e a realit" al!ost at one stro,e+
In$l*en#e% b" !" illness, !" !ot&er agree% t&at I s&o*l% leae t&e Reals#&*le an% atten% t&e A#a%e!"+
T&ose (ere &app" %a"s, (&i#& appeare% to !e al!ost as a %rea!C b*t t&e" (ere bo*n% to re!ain onl" a %rea!+ T(o "ears
later !" !ot&ers %eat& p*t a br*tal en% to all !" $ine pro0e#ts+ S&e s*##*!be% to a long an% pain$*l illness (&i#& $ro!
t&e er" beginning per!itte% little &ope o$ re#oer"+ T&o*g& e5pe#te%, &er %eat& #a!e as a terrible blo( to !e+ I respe#te%
!" $at&er, b*t I loe% !" !ot&er+
Poert" an% stern realit" $or#e% !e to %e#i%e pro!ptl"+
T&e !eagre reso*r#es o$ t&e $a!il" &a% been al!ost entirel" *se% *p t&ro*g& !" !ot&ers seere illness+ T&e allo(an#e
(&i#& #a!e to !e as an orp&an (as not eno*g& $or t&e bare ne#essities o$ li$e+ So!e&o( or ot&er I (o*l% &ae to earn !"
o(n brea%+
3it& !" #lot&es an% linen pa#,e% in a alise an% (it& an in%o!itable resol*tion in !" &eart, I le$t $or Bienna+ I &ope% to
$orestall $ate, as !" $at&er &a% %one $i$t" "ears be$ore+ I (as %eter!ine% to be#o!e Mso!et&ing 1 b*t #ertainl" not a #iil
serant+
C&apter T(o, LKears o$ S*$$ering in BiennaL
3&en !" !ot&er %ie% !" $ate &a% alrea%" been %e#i%e% in one respe#t+ =*ring t&e last !ont&s o$ &er illness I (ent to
Bienna to ta,e t&e entran#e e5a!ination $or t&e A#a%e!" o$ Fine Arts+ Ar!e% (it& a b*l," pa#,et o$ s,et#&es, I $elt
#onin#e% t&at I s&o*l% pass t&e e5a!ination /*ite easil"+ At t&e Reals#&*le I (as b" $ar t&e best st*%ent in t&e %ra(ing
#lass, an% sin#e t&at ti!e I &a% !a%e !ore t&an or%inar" progress in t&e pra#ti#e o$ %ra(ing+ T&ere$ore I (as please% (it&
!"sel$ an% (as pro*% an% &app" at t&e prospe#t o$ (&at I #onsi%ere% an ass*re% s*##ess+
8*t t&ere (as one !isgiing4 It see!e% to !e t&at I (as better /*ali$ie% $or %ra(ing t&an $or painting, espe#iall" in t&e
ario*s bran#&es o$ ar#&ite#t*ral %ra(ing+ At t&e sa!e ti!e !" interest in ar#&ite#t*re (as #onstantl" in#reasing+ An% I
a%an#e% in t&is %ire#tion at a still !ore rapi% pa#e a$ter !" $irst isit to Bienna, (&i#& laste% t(o (ee,s+ I (as not "et
si5teen "ears ol%+ I (ent to t&e Ho$ )*se*! to st*%" t&e paintings in t&e art galler" t&ereC b*t t&e b*il%ing itsel$ #apt*re%
al!ost all !" interest, $ro! earl" !orning *ntil late at nig&t I spent all !" ti!e isiting t&e ario*s p*bli# b*il%ings+ An%
it (as t&e b*il%ings t&e!seles t&at (ere al(a"s t&e prin#ipal attra#tion $or !e+ For &o*rs an% &o*rs I #o*l% stan% in
(on%er!ent be$ore t&e Opera an% t&e Parlia!ent+ T&e (&ole Ring Strasse &a% a !agi# e$$e#t *pon !e, as i$ it (ere a
s#ene $ro! t&e T&o*san%1an%1one1.ig&ts+
An% no( I (as &ere $or t&e se#on% ti!e in t&is bea*ti$*l #it", i!patientl" (aiting to &ear t&e res*lt o$ t&e entran#e
e5a!ination b*t pro*%l" #on$i%ent t&at I &a% got t&ro*g&+ I (as so #onin#e% o$ !" s*##ess t&at (&en t&e ne(s t&at I &a%
$aile% to pass (as bro*g&t to !e it str*#, !e li,e a bolt $ro! t&e s,ies+ Ket t&e $a#t (as t&at I &a% $aile%+ I (ent to see t&e
Re#tor an% as,e% &i! to e5plain t&e reasons (&" t&e" re$*se% to a##ept !e as a st*%ent in t&e general S#&ool o$ Painting,
(&i#& (as part o$ t&e A#a%e!"+ He sai% t&at t&e s,et#&es (&i#& I &a% bro*g&t (it& !e *n/*estionabl" s&o(e% t&at
painting (as not (&at I (as s*ite% $or b*t t&at t&e sa!e s,et#&es gae #lear in%i#ations o$ !" aptit*%e $or ar#&ite#t*ral
%esigning+ T&ere$ore t&e S#&ool o$ Painting %i% not #o!e into /*estion $or !e b*t rat&er t&e S#&ool o$ Ar#&ite#t*re, (&i#&
also $or!e% part o$ t&e A#a%e!"+ At $irst it (as i!possible to *n%erstan% &o( t&is #o*l% be so, seeing t&at I &a% neer
been to a s#&ool $or ar#&ite#t*re an% &a% neer re#eie% an" instr*#tion in ar#&ite#t*ral %esigning+
3&en I le$t t&e Hansen Pala#e, on t&e S#&iller Plat>, I (as /*ite #rest$allen+ I $elt o*t o$ sorts (it& !"sel$ $or t&e $irst ti!e
in !" "o*ng li$e+ For (&at I &a% &ear% abo*t !" #apabilities no( appeare% to !e as a lig&tning $las& (&i#& #learl"
reeale% a %*alis! *n%er (&i#& I &a% been s*$$ering $or a long ti!e, b*t &it&erto I #o*l% gie no #lear a##o*nt (&atsoeer
o$ t&e (&" an% (&ere$ore+
3it&in a $e( %a"s I !"sel$ also ,ne( t&at I o*g&t to be#o!e an ar#&ite#t+ 8*t o$ #o*rse t&e (a" (as er" %i$$i#*lt+ I (as
no( $or#e% bitterl" to r*e !" $or!er #on%*#t in negle#ting an% %espising #ertain s*b0e#ts at t&e Reals#&*le+ 8e$ore ta,ing
*p t&e #o*rses at t&e S#&ool o$ Ar#&ite#t*re in t&e A#a%e!" it (as ne#essar" to atten% t&e Te#&ni#al 8*il%ing S#&oolC b*t
a ne#essar" /*ali$i#ation $or entran#e into t&is s#&ool (as a 'eaing Certi$i#ate $ro! t&e )i%%le S#&ool+ An% t&is I si!pl"
%i% not &ae+ A##or%ing to t&e &*!an !eas*re o$ t&ings !" %rea! o$ $ollo(ing an artisti# #alling see!e% be"on% t&e
li!its o$ possibilit"+
A$ter t&e %eat& o$ !" !ot&er I #a!e to Bienna $or t&e t&ir% ti!e+ T&is isit (as %estine% to last seeral "ears+ Sin#e I &a%
been t&ere be$ore I &a% re#oere% !" ol% #al! an% resol*teness+ T&e $or!er sel$1ass*ran#e &a% #o!e ba#,, an% I &a% !"
e"es stea%il" $i5e% on t&e goal+ I (o*l% be an ar#&ite#t+ Obsta#les are pla#e% a#ross o*r pat& in li$e, not to be boggle% at b*t
to be s*r!o*nte%+ An% I (as $*ll" %eter!ine% to s*r!o*nt t&ese obsta#les, &aing t&e pi#t*re o$ !" $at&er #onstantl"
be$ore !" !in%, (&o &a% raise% &i!sel$ b" &is o(n e$$orts to t&e position o$ a #iil serant t&o*g& &e (as t&e poor son o$
a illage s&oe!a,er+ I &a% a better start, an% t&e possibilities o$ str*ggling t&ro*g& (ere better+ At t&at ti!e !" lot in li$e
see!e% to !e a &ars& oneC b*t to1%a" I see in it t&e (ise (or,ings o$ Proi%en#e+ T&e Ao%%ess o$ Fate #l*t#&e% !e in &er
&an%s an% o$ten t&reatene% to s!as& !eC b*t t&e (ill gre( stronger as t&e obsta#les in#rease%, an% $inall" t&e (ill
tri*!p&e%+
I a! t&an,$*l $or t&at perio% o$ !" li$e, be#a*se it &ar%ene% !e an% enable% !e to be as to*g& as I no( a!+ An% I a!
een !ore t&an,$*l be#a*se I appre#iate t&e $a#t t&at I (as t&*s sae% $ro! t&e e!ptiness o$ a li$e o$ ease an% t&at a
!ot&ers %arling (as ta,en $ro! ten%er ar!s an% &an%e% oer to A%ersit" as to a ne( !ot&er+ T&o*g& I t&en rebelle%
against it as too &ar% a $ate, I a! grate$*l t&at I (as t&ro(n into a (orl% o$ !iser" an% poert" an% t&*s #a!e to ,no( t&e
people $or (&o! I (as a$ter(ar%s to $ig&t+
It (as %*ring t&is perio% t&at !" e"es (ere opene% to t(o perils, t&e na!es o$ (&i#& I s#ar#el" ,ne( &it&erto an% &a% no
notion (&atsoeer o$ t&eir terrible signi$i#an#e $or t&e e5isten#e o$ t&e Aer!an people+ T&ese t(o perils (ere )ar5is!
an% -*%ais!+
For !an" people t&e na!e o$ Bienna signi$ies inno#ent 0ollit", a $estie pla#e $or &app" !ortals+ For !e, alas, it is a liing
!e!or" o$ t&e sa%%est perio% in !" li$e+ Een to1%a" t&e !ention o$ t&at #it" aro*ses onl" gloo!" t&o*g&ts in !" !in%+
Fie "ears o$ poert" in t&at P&ae#ian 6G to(n+ Fie "ears in (&i#&, $irst as a #as*al labo*rer an% t&en as a painter o$ little
tri$les, I &a% to earn !" %ail" brea%+ An% a !eagre !orsel in%ee% it (as, not een s*$$i#ient to still t&e &*nger (&i#& I
#onstantl" $elt+ T&at &*nger (as t&e $ait&$*l g*ar%ian (&i#& neer le$t !e b*t too, part in eer"t&ing I %i%+ Eer" boo,
t&at I bo*g&t !eant rene(e% &*nger, an% eer" isit I pai% to t&e opera !eant t&e intr*sion o$ t&at inalienabl #o!panion
%*ring t&e $ollo(ing %a"s+ I (as al(a"s str*ggling (it& !" *ns"!pat&i# $rien%+ An% "et %*ring t&at ti!e I learne% !ore
t&an I &a% eer learne% be$ore+ O*tsi%e !" ar#&ite#t*ral st*%ies an% rare isits to t&e opera, $or (&i#& I &a% to %en" !"sel$
$oo%, I &a% no ot&er pleas*re in li$e e5#ept !" boo,s+
I rea% a great %eal t&en, an% I pon%ere% %eepl" oer (&at I rea%+ All t&e $ree ti!e a$ter (or, (as %eote% e5#l*siel" to
st*%"+ T&*s (it&in a $e( "ears I (as able to a#/*ire a sto#, o$ ,no(le%ge (&i#& I $in% *se$*l een to1%a"+
8*t !ore t&an t&at+ =*ring t&ose "ears a ie( o$ li$e an% a %e$inite o*tloo, on t&e (orl% too, s&ape in !" !in%+ T&ese
be#a!e t&e granite basis o$ !" #on%*#t at t&at ti!e+ Sin#e t&en I &ae e5ten%e% t&at $o*n%ation onl" er" little, an% I &ae
#&ange% not&ing in it+
On t&e #ontrar"4 I a! $ir!l" #onin#e% to1%a" t&at, generall" spea,ing, it is in "o*t& t&at !en la" t&e essential
gro*n%(or, o$ t&eir #reatie t&o*g&t, (&ereer t&at #reatie t&o*g&t e5ists+ I !a,e a %istin#tion bet(een t&e (is%o! o$
age 1 (&i#& #an onl" arise $ro! t&e greater pro$*n%it" an% $oresig&t t&at are base% on t&e e5perien#es o$ a long li$e 1 an%
t&e #reatie geni*s o$ "o*t&, (&i#& blosso!s o*t in t&o*g&t an% i%eas (it& ine5&a*stible $ertilit", (it&o*t being able to p*t
t&ese into pra#ti#e i!!e%iatel", be#a*se o$ t&eir er" s*perab*n%an#e+ T&ese $*rnis& t&e b*il%ing !aterials an% plans $or
t&e $*t*reC an% it is $ro! t&e! t&at age ta,es t&e stones an% b*il%s t&e e%i$i#e, *nless t&e so1#alle% (is%o! o$ t&e "ears
!a" &ae s!ot&ere% t&e #reatie geni*s o$ "o*t&+
T&e li$e (&i#& I &a% &it&erto le% at &o!e (it& !" parents %i$$ere% in little or not&ing $ro! t&at o$ all t&e ot&ers+ I loo,e%
$or(ar% (it&o*t appre&ension to t&e !orro(, an% t&ere (as no s*#& t&ing as a so#ial proble! to be $a#e%+ T&ose a!ong
(&o! I passe% !" "o*ng %a"s belonge% to t&e s!all bo*rgeois #lass+ T&ere$ore it (as a (orl% t&at &a% er" little #onta#t
(it& t&e (orl% o$ gen*ine !an*al labo*rers+ For, t&o*g& at $irst t&is !a" appear astonis&ing, t&e %it#& (&i#& separates
t&at #lass, (&i#& is b" no !eans e#ono!i#all" (ell1o$$C $ro! t&e !an*al labo*ring #lass is o$ten %eeper t&an people t&in,+
T&e reason $or t&is %iision, (&i#& (e !a" al!ost #all en!it", lies in t&e $ear t&at %o!inates a so#ial gro*p (&i#& &as
onl" 0*st risen aboe t&e leel o$ t&e !an*al labo*rer 1 a $ear lest it !a" $all ba#, into its ol% #on%ition or at least be
#lasse% (it& t&e labo*rers+ )oreoer, t&ere is so!et&ing rep*lsie in re!e!bering t&e #*lt*ral in%igen#e o$ t&at lo(er
#lass an% t&eir ro*g& !anners (it& one anot&erC so t&at people (&o are onl" on t&e $irst r*ng o$ t&e so#ial la%%er $in% it
*nbearable to be $or#e% to &ae an" #onta#t (it& t&e #*lt*ral leel an% stan%ar% o$ liing o*t o$ (&i#& t&e" &ae passe%+
An% so it &appens t&at er" o$ten t&ose (&o belong to (&at #an reall" be #alle% t&e *pper #lasses $in% it !*#& easier t&an
%o t&e *pstarts to %es#en% to an% inter!ingle (it& t&eir $ello( beings on t&e lo(est so#ial leel+ For b" t&e (or% *pstart I
!ean eer"one (&o &as raise% &i!sel$ t&ro*g& &is o(n e$$orts to a so#ial leel &ig&er t&an t&at to (&i#& &e $or!erl"
belonge%+ In t&e #ase o$ s*#& a person t&e &ar% str*ggle t&ro*g& (&i#& &e passes o$ten %estro"s &is nor!al &*!an
s"!pat&"+ His o(n $ig&t $or e5isten#e ,ills &is sensibilit" $or t&e !iser" o$ t&ose (&o &ae been le$t be&in%+
Fro! t&is point o$ ie( $ate &a% been ,in% to !e+ Cir#*!stan#es $or#e% !e to ret*rn to t&at (orl% o$ poert" an%
e#ono!i# inse#*rit" aboe (&i#& !" $at&er &a% raise% &i!sel$ in &is earl" %a"sC an% t&*s t&e blin,ers o$ a narro( petit
bo*rgeois e%*#ation (ere torn $ro! !" e"es+ .o( $or t&e $irst ti!e I learne% to ,no( !en an% I learne% to %isting*is&
bet(een e!pt" appearan#es or br*tal !anners an% t&e real inner nat*re o$ t&e people (&o o*t(ar%l" appeare% t&*s+
At t&e beginning o$ t&e #ent*r" Bienna &a% alrea%" ta,en ran, a!ong t&ose #ities (&ere so#ial #on%itions are ini/*ito*s+
=a>>ling ri#&es an% loat&so!e %estit*tion (ere inter!ingle% in iolent #ontrast+ In t&e #entre an% in t&e Inner Cit" one
$elt t&e p*lse1beat o$ an E!pire (&i#& &a% a pop*lation o$ $iit"1t(o !illions, (it& all t&e perilo*s #&ar! o$ a State !a%e
*p o$ !*ltiple nationalities+ T&e %a>>ling splen%o*r o$ t&e Co*rt a#te% li,e a !agnet on t&e (ealt& an% intelligen#e o$ t&e
(&ole E!pire+ An% t&is attra#tion (as $*rt&er strengt&ene% b" t&e %"nasti# poli#" o$ t&e Habsb*rg )onar#&" in
#entrali>ing eer"t&ing in itsel$ an% $or itsel$+
T&is #entrali>ing poli#" (as ne#essar" in or%er to &ol% toget&er t&at &ot#&pot#& o$ &eterogeneo*s nationalities+ 8*t t&e
res*lt o$ it (as an e5traor%inar" #on#entration o$ &ig&er o$$i#ials in t&e #it", (&i#& (as at one an% t&e sa!e ti!e t&e
!etropolis an% i!perial resi%en#e+
8*t Bienna (as not !erel" t&e politi#al an% intelle#t*al #entre o$ t&e =an*bian )onar#&"C it (as also t&e #o!!er#ial
#entre+ 8esi%es t&e &or%e o$ !ilitar" o$$i#ers o$ &ig& ran,, State o$$i#ials, artists an% s#ientists, t&ere (as t&e still aster
&or%e o$ (or,ers+ Ab0e#t poert" #on$ronte% t&e (ealt& o$ t&e aristo#ra#" an% t&e !er#&ant #lass $a#e to $a#e+ T&o*san%s
o$ *ne!plo"e% loitere% in $ront o$ t&e pala#es on t&e Ring StrasseC an% belo( t&at Bia Tri*!p&alis o$ t&e ol% A*stria t&e
&o!eless &*%%le% toget&er in t&e !*r, an% $ilt& o$ t&e #anals+
P
T&ere (as &ar%l" an" ot&er Aer!an #it" in (&i#& t&e so#ial proble! #o*l% be st*%ie% better t&an in Bienna+ 8*t &ere I
!*st *tter a (arning against t&e ill*sion t&at t&is proble! #an be Mst*%ie% $ro! aboe %o(n(ar%s+ T&e !an (&o &as
neer been in t&e #l*t#&es o$ t&at #r*s&ing iper #an neer ,no( (&at its poison is+ An atte!pt to st*%" it in an" ot&er (a"
(ill res*lt onl" in s*per$i#ial tal, an% senti!ental %el*sions+ 8ot& are &ar!$*l+ T&e $irst be#a*se it #an neer go to t&e root
o$ t&e /*estion, t&e se#on% be#a*se it ea%es t&e /*estion entirel"+ I %o not ,no( (&i#& is t&e !ore ne$ario*s4 to ignore
so#ial %istress, as %o t&e !a0orit" o$ t&ose (&o &ae been $ao*re% b" $ort*ne an% t&ose (&o &ae risen in t&e so#ial s#ale
t&ro*g& t&eir o(n ro*tine labo*r, or t&e e/*all" s*per#ilio*s an% o$ten ta#tless b*t al(a"s genteel #on%es#ension %ispla"e%
b" people (&o !a,e a $a% o$ being #&aritable an% (&o pl*!e t&e!seles on Ms"!pat&ising (it& t&e people+ O$ #o*rse
s*#& persons sin !ore t&an t&e" #an i!agine $ro! la#, o$ instin#tie *n%erstan%ing+ An% t&*s t&e" are astonis&e% to $in%
t&at t&e Mso#ial #ons#ien#e on (&i#& t&e" pri%e t&e!seles neer pro%*#es an" res*lts, b*t o$ten #a*ses t&eir goo%
intentions to be resente%C an% t&en t&e" tal, o$ t&e ingratit*%e o$ t&e people+
S*#& persons are slo( to learn t&at &ere t&ere is no pla#e $or !erel" so#ial a#tiities an% t&at t&ere #an be no e5pe#tation
o$ gratit*%eC $or in t&is #onne#tion t&ere is no /*estion at all o$ %istrib*ting $ao*rs b*t essentiall" a !atter o$ retrib*tie
0*sti#e+ I (as prote#te% against t&e te!ptation to st*%" t&e so#ial /*estion in t&e (a" 0*st !entione%, $or t&e si!ple reason
t&at I (as $or#e% to lie in t&e !i%st o$ poert"1stri#,en people+ T&ere$ore it (as not a /*estion o$ st*%"ing t&e proble!
ob0e#tiel", b*t rat&er one o$ testing its e$$e#ts on !"sel$+ T&o*g& t&e rabbit #a!e t&ro*g& t&e or%eal o$ t&e e5peri!ent,
t&is !*st not be ta,en as ei%en#e o$ its &ar!lessness+
3&en I tr" to1%a" to re#all t&e s*##ession o$ i!pressions re#eie% %*ring t&at ti!e I $in% t&at I #an %o so onl" (it&
appro5i!ate #o!pleteness+ Here I s&all %es#ribe onl" t&e !ore essential i!pressions an% t&ose (&i#& personall" a$$e#te%
!e an% o$ten staggere% !e+ An% I s&all !ention t&e $e( lessons I t&en learne% $ro! t&is e5perien#e+
At t&at ti!e it (as $or t&e !ost part not er" %i$$i#*lt to $in% (or,, be#a*se I &a% to see, (or, not as a s,ille% tra%es!an
b*t as a so1#alle% e5tra1&an% rea%" to ta,e an" 0ob t&at t*rne% *p b" #&an#e, 0*st $or t&e sa,e o$ earning !" %ail" brea%+
T&*s I $o*n% !"sel$ in t&e sa!e sit*ation as all t&ose e!igrants (&o s&a,e t&e %*st o$ E*rope $ro! t&eir $eet, (it& t&e
#ast1iron %eter!ination to la" t&e $o*n%ations o$ a ne( e5isten#e in t&e .e( 3orl% an% a#/*ire $or t&e!seles a ne(
&o!e+ 'iberate% $ro! all t&e paral"sing pre0*%i#es o$ #lass an% #alling, eniron!ent an% tra%ition, t&e" enter an" seri#e
t&at opens its %oors to t&e!, a##epting an" (or, t&at #o!es t&eir (a", $ille% !ore an% !ore (it& t&e i%ea t&at &onest (or,
neer %isgra#e% an"bo%", no !atter (&at ,in% it !a" be+ An% so I (as resole% to set bot& $eet in (&at (as $or !e a ne(
(orl% an% p*s& $or(ar% on !" o(n roa%+
I soon $o*n% o*t t&at t&ere (as so!e ,in% o$ (or, al(a"s to be got, b*t I also learne% t&at it #o*l% 0*st as /*i#,l" an%
easil" be lost+ T&e *n#ertaint" o$ being able to earn a reg*lar %ail" lieli&oo% soon appeare% to !e as t&e gloo!iest $eat*re
in t&is ne( li$e t&at I &a% entere%+
Alt&o*g& t&e s,ille% (or,er (as not so $re/*entl" t&ro(n i%le on t&e streets as t&e *ns,ille% (or,er, "et t&e $or!er (as b"
no !eans prote#te% against t&e sa!e $ateC be#a*se t&o*g& &e !a" not &ae to $a#e &*nger as a res*lt o$ *ne!plo"!ent %*e
to t&e la#, o$ %e!an% in t&e labo*r !ar,et, t&e lo#,1o*t an% t&e stri,e %eprie% t&e s,ille% (or,er o$ t&e #&an#e to earn
&is brea%+ Here t&e ele!ent o$ *n#ertaint" in stea%il" earning ones %ail" brea% (as t&e bitterest $eat*re o$ t&e (&ole
so#ial1e#ono!i# s"ste! itsel$+
T&e #o*ntr" la% (&o !igrates to t&e big #it" $eels attra#te% b" (&at &as been %es#ribe% as eas" (or, 1 (&i#& it !a" be in
realit" 1 an% $e( (or,ing &o*rs+ He is espe#iall" entran#e% b" t&e !agi# gli!!er sprea% oer t&e big #ities+ A##*sto!e%
in t&e #o*ntr" to earn a stea%" (age, &e &as been ta*g&t not to /*it &is $or!er post *ntil a ne( one is at least in sig&t+ As
t&ere is a great s#ar#it" o$ agri#*lt*ral labo*r, t&e probabilit" o$ long *ne!plo"!ent in t&e #o*ntr" &as been er" s!all+ It
is a !ista,e to pres*!e t&at t&e la% (&o leaes t&e #o*ntr"si%e $or t&e to(n is not !a%e o$ s*#& so*n% !aterial as t&ose
(&o re!ain at &o!e to (or, on t&e lan%+ On t&e #ontrar", e5perien#e s&o(s t&at it is t&e !ore &ealt&" an% !ore igoro*s
t&at e!igrate, an% not t&e reerse+ A!ong t&ese e!igrants I in#l*%e not !erel" t&ose (&o e!igrate to A!eri#a, b*t also
t&e serant bo" in t&e #o*ntr" (&o %e#i%es to leae &is natie illage an% !igrate to t&e big #it" (&ere &e (ill be a
stranger+ He is rea%" to ta,e t&e ris, o$ an *n#ertain $ate+ In !ost #ases &e #o!es to to(n (it& a little !one" in &is po#,et
an% $or t&e $irst $e( %a"s &e is not %is#o*rage% i$ &e s&o*l% not &ae t&e goo% $ort*ne to $in% (or,+ 8*t i$ &e $in%s a 0ob
an% t&en loses it in a little (&ile, t&e #ase is !*#& (orse+ To $in% (or, ane(, espe#iall" in (inter, is o$ten %i$$i#*lt an%
in%ee% so!eti!es i!possible+ For t&e $irst $e( (ee,s li$e is still bearable He re#eies &is o*t1o$1(or, !one" $ro! &is tra%e
*nion an% is t&*s enable% to #arr" on+ 8*t (&en t&e last o$ &is o(n !one" is gone an% &is tra%e *nion #eases to pa" o*t
be#a*se o$ t&e prolonge% *ne!plo"!ent, t&en #o!es t&e real %istress+ He no( loiters abo*t an% is &*ngr"+ O$ten &e pa(ns
or sells t&e last o$ &is belongings+ His #lot&es begin to get s&abb" an% (it& t&e in#reasing poert" o$ &is o*t(ar%
appearan#e &e %es#en%s to a lo(er so#ial leel an% !i5es *p (it& a #lass o$ &*!an beings t&ro*g& (&o! &is !in% is no(
poisone%, in a%%ition to &is p&"si#al !iser"+ T&en &e &as no(&ere to sleep an% i$ t&at &appens in (inter, (&i#& is er"
o$ten t&e #ase, &e is in %ire %istress+ Finall" &e gets (or,+ 8*t t&e ol% stor" repeats itsel$+ A se#on% ti!e t&e sa!e t&ing
&appens+ T&en a t&ir% ti!eC an% no( it is probabl" !*#& (orse+ 'ittle b" little &e be#o!es in%i$$erent to t&is eerlasting
inse#*rit"+ Finall" &e gro(s *se% to t&e repetition+ T&*s een a !an (&o is nor!all" o$ in%*strio*s &abits gro(s #areless
in &is (&ole attit*%e to(ar%s li$e an% gra%*all" be#o!es an instr*!ent in t&e &an%s o$ *ns#r*p*lo*s people (&o e5ploit
&i! $or t&e sa,e o$ t&eir o(n ignoble ai!s+ He &as been so o$ten t&ro(n o*t o$ e!plo"!ent t&ro*g& no $a*lt o$ &is o(n
t&at &e is no( !ore or less in%i$$erent (&et&er t&e stri,e in (&i#& &e ta,es part be $or t&e p*rpose o$ se#*ring &is
e#ono!i# rig&ts or be ai!e% at t&e %estr*#tion o$ t&e State, t&e (&ole so#ial or%er an% een #iili>ation itsel$+ T&o*g& t&e
i%ea o$ going on stri,e !a" not be to &is nat*ral li,ing, "et &e 0oins in it o*t o$ s&eer in%i$$eren#e+
I sa( t&is pro#ess e5e!pli$ie% be$ore !" e"es in t&o*san%s o$ #ases+ An% t&e longer I obsere% it t&e greater be#a!e !"
%isli,e $or t&at !a!!ot& #it" (&i#& gree%il" attra#ts !en to its boso!, in or%er to brea, t&e! !er#ilessl" in t&e en%+
3&en t&e" #a!e t&e" still $elt t&e!seles in #o!!*nion (it& t&eir o(n people at &o!eC i$ t&e" re!aine% t&at tie (as
bro,en+
I (as t&ro(n abo*t so !*#& in t&e li$e o$ t&e !etropolis t&at I e5perien#e% t&e (or,ings o$ t&is $ate in !" o(n person an%
$elt t&e e$$e#ts o$ it in !" o(n so*l+ One t&ing stoo% o*t #learl" be$ore !" e"es4 It (as t&e s*%%en #&anges $ro! (or, to
i%leness an% i#e ersaC so t&at t&e #onstant $l*#t*ations t&*s #a*se% b" earnings an% e5pen%it*re $inall" %estro"e% t&e
Msense o$ t&ri$t $or !an" people an% also t&e &abit o$ reg*lating e5pen%it*re in an intelligent (a"+ T&e bo%" appeare% to
gro( a##*sto!e% to t&e i#issit*%es o$ $oo% an% &*nger, eating &eartil" in goo% ti!es an% going &*ngr" in ba%+ In%ee%
&*nger s&atters all plans $or rationing e5pen%it*re on a reg*lar s#ale in better ti!es (&en e!plo"!ent is again $o*n%+ T&e
reason $or t&is is t&at t&e %epriations (&i#& t&e *ne!plo"e% (or,er &as to en%*re !*st be #o!pensate% $or
ps"#&ologi#all" b" a persistent !ental !irage in (&i#& &e i!agines &i!sel$ eating &eartil" on#e again+ An% t&is %rea!
%eelops into s*#& a longing t&at it t*rns into a !orbi% i!p*lse to #ast o$$ all sel$1restraint (&en (or, an% (ages t*rn *p
again+ T&ere$ore t&e !o!ent (or, is $o*n% ane( &e $orgets to reg*late t&e e5pen%it*re o$ &is earnings b*t spen%s t&e! to
t&e $*ll (it&o*t t&in,ing o$ to1!orro(+ T&is lea%s to #on$*sion in t&e little (ee,l" &o*se,eeping b*%get, be#a*se t&e
e5pen%it*re is not rationall" planne%+ 3&en t&e p&eno!enon (&i#& I &ae !entione% $irst &appens, t&e earnings (ill last
per&aps $or $ie %a"s instea% o$ seenC on s*bse/*ent o##asions t&e" (ill last onl" $or t&ree %a"sC as t&e &abit re#*rs, t&e
earnings (ill last s#ar#el" $or a %a"C an% $inall" t&e" (ill %isappear in one nig&t o$ $easting+
O$ten t&ere are (i$e an% #&il%ren at &o!e+ An% in !an" #ases it &appens t&at t&ese be#o!e in$e#te% b" s*#& a (a" o$
liing, espe#iall" i$ t&e &*sban% is goo% to t&e! an% (ants to %o t&e best &e #an $or t&e! an% loes t&e! in &is o(n (a"
an% a##or%ing to &is o(n lig&ts+ T&en t&e (ee,s earnings are spent in #o!!on at &o!e (it&in t(o or t&ree %a"s+ T&e
$a!il" eat an% %rin, toget&er as long as t&e !one" lasts an% at t&e en% o$ t&e (ee, t&e" &*nger toget&er+ T&en t&e (i$e
(an%ers abo*t $*rtiel" in t&e neig&bo*r&oo%, borro(s a little, an% r*ns *p s!all %ebts (it& t&e s&op,eepers in an e$$ort to
p*ll t&ro*g& t&e lean %a"s to(ar%s t&e en% o$ t&e (ee,+ T&e" sit %o(n toget&er to t&e !i%%a" !eal (it& onl" !eagre $are
on t&e table, an% o$ten een not&ing to eat+ T&e" (ait $or t&e #o!ing pa"%a", tal,ing o$ it an% !a,ing plansC an% (&ile
t&e" are t&*s &*ngr" t&e" %rea! o$ t&e plent" t&at is to #o!e+ An% so t&e little #&il%ren be#o!e a#/*ainte% (it& !iser" in
t&eir earl" "ears+
8*t t&e eil #*l!inates (&en t&e &*sban% goes &is o(n (a" $ro! t&e beginning o$ t&e (ee, an% t&e (i$e protests, si!pl"
o*t o$ loe $or t&e #&il%ren+ T&en t&ere are /*arrels an% ba% $eeling an% t&e &*sban% ta,es to %rin, a##or%ing as &e
be#o!es estrange% $ro! &is (i$e+ He no( be#o!es %r*n, eer" Sat*r%a"+ Fig&ting $or &er o(n e5isten#e an% t&at o$ t&e
#&il%ren, t&e (i$e &as to &o*n% &i! along t&e roa% $ro! t&e $a#tor" to t&e taern in or%er to get a $e( s&illings $ro! &i!
on pa"%a"+ T&en (&en &e $inall" #o!es &o!e, !a"be on t&e S*n%a" or t&e )on%a", &aing parte% (it& &is last s&illings
an% pen#e, pitiable s#enes $ollo(, s#enes t&at #r" o*t $or Ao%s !er#"+
I &ae &a% a#t*al e5perien#e o$ all t&is in &*n%re%s o$ #ases+ At $irst I (as %isg*ste% an% in%ignantC b*t later on I #a!e to
re#ogni>e t&e (&ole trage%" o$ t&eir !is$ort*ne an% to *n%erstan% t&e pro$o*n% #a*ses o$ it+ T&e" (ere t&e *n&app"
i#ti!s o$ eil #ir#*!stan#es+
Ho*sing #on%itions (ere er" ba% at t&at ti!e+ T&e Bienna !an*al labo*rers lie% in s*rro*n%ings o$ appalling !iser"+ I
s&*%%er een to1%a" (&en I t&in, o$ t&e (oe$*l %ens in (&i#& people %(elt, t&e nig&t s&elters an% t&e sl*!s, an% all t&e
tenebro*s spe#ta#les o$ or%*re, loat&so!e $ilt& an% (i#,e%ness+
3&at (ill &appen one %a" (&en &or%es o$ e!an#ipate% slaes #o!e $ort& $ro! t&ese %ens o$ !iser" to s(oop %o(n on
t&eir *ns*spe#ting $ello( !en@ For t&is ot&er (orl% %oes not t&in, abo*t s*#& a possibilit"+ T&e" &ae allo(e% t&ese
t&ings to go on (it&o*t #aring an% een (it&o*t s*spe#ting 1 in t&eir total la#, o$ instin#tie *n%erstan%ing 1 t&at sooner
or later %estin" (ill ta,e its engean#e *nless it (ill &ae been appease% in ti!e+
To1%a" I $eri%l" t&an, Proi%en#e $or &aing sent !e to s*#& a s#&ool+ T&ere I #o*l% not re$*se to ta,e an interest in
!atters t&at %i% not please !e+ T&is s#&ool soon ta*g&t !e a pro$o*n% lesson+
In or%er not to %espair #o!pletel" o$ t&e people a!ong (&o! I t&en lie% I &a% to set on one si%e t&e o*t(ar% appearan#es
o$ t&eir lies an% on t&e ot&er t&e reasons (&" t&e" &a% %eelope% in t&at (a"+ T&en I #o*l% &ear eer"t&ing (it&o*t
%is#o*rage!entC $or t&ose (&o e!erge% $ro! all t&is !is$ort*ne an% !iser", $ro! t&is $ilt& an% o*t(ar% %egra%ation, (ere
not &*!an beings as s*#& b*t rat&er la!entable res*lts o$ la!entable la(s+ In !" o(n li$e si!ilar &ar%s&ips preente% !e
$ro! giing (a" to a pit"ing senti!entalit" at t&e sig&t o$ t&ese %egra%e% pro%*#ts (&i#& &a% $inall" res*lte% $ro! t&e
press*re o$ #ir#*!stan#es+ .o, t&e senti!ental attit*%e (o*l% be t&e (rong one to a%opt+
Een in t&ose %a"s I alrea%" sa( t&at t&ere (as a t(o1$ol% !et&o% b" (&i#& alone it (o*l% be possible to bring abo*t an
a!elioration o$ t&ese #on%itions+ T&is !et&o% is4 $irst, to #reate better $*n%a!ental #on%itions o$ so#ial %eelop!ent b"
establis&ing a pro$o*n% $eeling $or so#ial responsibilities a!ong t&e p*bli#C se#on%, to #o!bine t&is $eeling $or so#ial
responsibilities (it& a r*t&less %eter!ination to pr*ne a(a" all e5#res#en#es (&i#& are in#apable o$ being i!proe%+
-*st as .at*re #on#entrates its greatest attention, not to t&e !aintenan#e o$ (&at alrea%" e5ists b*t on t&e sele#tie
bree%ing o$ o$$spring in or%er to #arr" on t&e spe#ies, so in &*!an li$e also it is less a !atter o$ arti$i#iall" i!proing t&e
e5isting generation 1 (&i#&, o(ing to &*!an #&ara#teristi#s, is i!possible in ninet"1nine #ases o*t o$ a &*n%re% 1 an%
!ore a !atter o$ se#*ring $ro! t&e er" start a better roa% $or $*t*re %eelop!ent+
=*ring !" str*ggle $or e5isten#e in Bienna I per#eie% er" #learl" t&at t&e ai! o$ all so#ial a#tiit" !*st neer be !erel"
#&aritable relie$, (&i#& is ri%i#*lo*s an% *seless, b*t it !*st rat&er be a !eans to $in% a (a" o$ eli!inating t&e
$*n%a!ental %e$i#ien#ies in o*r e#ono!i# an% #*lt*ral li$e 1 %e$i#ien#ies (&i#& ne#essaril" bring abo*t t&e %egra%ation o$
t&e in%ii%*al or at least lea% &i! to(ar%s s*#& %egra%ation+ T&e %i$$i#*lt" o$ e!plo"ing eer" !eans, een t&e !ost
%rasti#, to era%i#ate t&e &ostilit" preailing a!ong t&e (or,ing #lasses to(ar%s t&e State is largel" %*e to an attit*%e o$
*n#ertaint" in %e#i%ing *pon t&e inner !oties an% #a*ses o$ t&is #onte!porar" p&eno!enon+ T&e gro*n%s o$ t&is
*n#ertaint" are to be $o*n% e5#l*siel" in t&e sense o$ g*ilt (&i#& ea#& in%ii%*al $eels $or &aing per!itte% t&is trage%"
o$ %egra%ation+ For t&at $eeling paral"ses eer" e$$ort at !a,ing a serio*s an% $ir! %e#ision to a#t+ An% t&*s be#a*se t&e
people (&o! it #on#erns are a#illating t&e" are ti!i% an% &al$1&earte% in p*tting into e$$e#t een t&e !eas*res (&i#& are
in%ispensable $or sel$1preseration+ 3&en t&e in%ii%*al is no longer b*r%ene% (it& &is o(n #ons#io*sness o$ bla!e in t&is
regar%, t&en an% onl" t&en (ill &e &ae t&at inner tran/*illit" an% o*ter $or#e to #*t o$$ %rasti#all" an% r*t&lessl" all t&e
parasite gro(t& an% root o*t t&e (ee%s+
8*t be#a*se t&e A*strian State &a% al!ost no sense o$ so#ial rig&ts or so#ial legislation its inabilit" to abolis& t&ose eil
e5#res#en#es (as !ani$est+
I %o not ,no( (&at it (as t&at appalle% !e !ost at t&at ti!e4 t&e e#ono!i# !iser" o$ t&ose (&o (ere t&en !"
#o!panions, t&eir #r*%e #*sto!s an% !orals, or t&e lo( leel o$ t&eir intelle#t*al #*lt*re+
Ho( o$ten o*r bo*rgeoisie rises *p in !oral in%ignation on &earing $ro! t&e !o*t& o$ so!e pitiable tra!p t&at it is all t&e
sa!e to &i! (&et&er &e be a Aer!an or not an% t&at &e (ill $in% &i!sel$ at &o!e (&ereer &e #an get eno*g& to ,eep
bo%" an% so*l toget&er+ T&e" protest sternl" against s*#& a la#, o$ Mnational pri%e an% strongl" e5press t&eir &orror at
s*#& senti!ents+
8*t &o( !an" people reall" as, t&e!seles (&" it is t&at t&eir o(n senti!ents are better@ Ho( !an" o$ t&e! *n%erstan%
t&at t&eir nat*ral pri%e in being !e!bers o$ so $ao*re% a nation arises $ro! t&e inn*!erable s*##ession o$ instan#es t&e"
&ae en#o*ntere% (&i#& re!in% t&e! o$ t&e greatness o$ t&e Fat&erlan% an% t&e .ation in all sp&eres o$ artisti# an%
#*lt*ral li$e@ Ho( !an" o$ t&e! reali>e t&at pri%e in t&e Fat&erlan% is largel" %epen%ent on ,no(le%ge o$ its greatness in
all t&ose sp&eres@ =o o*r bo*rgeois #ir#les eer t&in, (&at a ri%i#*lo*sl" !eagre s&are t&e people &ae in t&at ,no(le%ge
(&i#& is a ne#essar" prere/*isite $or t&e $eeling o$ pri%e in ones $at&erlan%@
It #annot be ob0e#te% &ere t&at in ot&er #o*ntries si!ilar #on%itions e5ist an% t&at neert&eless t&e (or,ing #lasses in t&ose
#o*ntries &ae re!aine% patrioti#+ Een i$ t&at (ere so, it (o*l% be no e5#*se $or o*r negligent attit*%e+ 8*t it is not so+
3&at (e #all #&a*inisti# e%*#ation 1 in t&e #ase o$ t&e Fren#& people, $or e5a!ple 1 is onl" t&e e5#essie e5altation o$ t&e
greatness o$ Fran#e in all sp&eres o$ #*lt*re or, as t&e Fren#& sa", #iili>ation+ T&e Fren#& bo" is not e%*#ate% on p*rel"
ob0e#tie prin#iples+ 3&ereer t&e i!portan#e o$ t&e politi#al an% #*lt*ral greatness o$ &is #o*ntr" is #on#erne% &e is
ta*g&t in t&e !ost s*b0e#tie (a" t&at one #an i!agine+
T&is e%*#ation (ill al(a"s &ae to be #on$ine% to general i%eas in a large perspe#tie an% t&ese o*g&t to be %eepl"
engraen, b" #onstant repetition i$ ne#essar", on t&e !e!ories an% $eelings o$ t&e people+
In o*r #ase, &o(eer, (e are not !erel" g*ilt" o$ negatie sins o$ o!ission b*t also o$ positiel" pererting t&e little (&i#&
so!e in%ii%*als &a% t&e l*#, to learn at s#&ool+ T&e rats t&at poison o*r bo%"1politi# gna( $ro! t&e &earts an% !e!ories
o$ t&e broa% !asses een t&at little (&i#& %istress an% !iser" &ae le$t+
'et t&e rea%er tr" to pi#t*re t&e $ollo(ing4
T&ere is a lo%ging in a #ellar an% t&is lo%ging #onsists o$ t(o %a!p roo!s+ In t&ese roo!s a (or,!an an% &is $a!il" lie 1
seen people in all+ 'et *s ass*!e t&at one o$ t&e #&il%ren is a bo" o$ t&ree "ears+ T&at is t&e age at (&i#& #&il%ren $irst
be#o!e #ons#io*s o$ t&e i!pressions (&i#& t&e" re#eie+ In t&e #ase o$ &ig&l" gi$te% people tra#es o$ t&e i!pressions
re#eie% in t&ose earl" "ears last in t&e !e!or" *p to an a%an#e% age+ .o( t&e narro(ness an% #ongestion o$ t&ose liing
/*arters %o not #on%*#e to pleasant inter1relations+ T&*s /*arrels an% $its o$ !*t*al anger arise+ T&ese people #an &ar%l"
be sai% to lie (it& one anot&er, b*t rat&er %o(n on top o$ one anot&er+ T&e s!all !is*n%erstan%ings (&i#& %isappear o$
t&e!seles in a &o!e (&ere t&ere is eno*g& spa#e $or people to go apart $ro! one anot&er $or a (&ile, &ere be#o!e t&e
so*r#e o$ #&roni# %isp*tes+ As $ar as t&e #&il%ren are #on#erne% t&e sit*ation is tolerable $ro! t&is point o$ ie(+ In s*#&
#on%itions t&e" are #onstantl" /*arrelling (it& one anot&er, b*t t&e /*arrels are /*i#,l" an% entirel" $orgotten+ 8*t (&en
t&e parents $all o*t (it& one anot&er t&ese %ail" bi#,erings o$ten %es#en% to r*%eness s*#& as #annot be a%e/*atel"
i!agine%+ T&e res*lts o$ s*#& e5perien#es !*st be#o!e apparent later on in t&e #&il%ren+ One !*st &ae pra#ti#al
e5perien#e o$ s*#& a !ilie* so as to be able to pi#t*re t&e state o$ a$$airs t&at arises $ro! t&ese !*t*al re#ri!inations (&en
t&e $at&er p&"si#all" assa*lts t&e !ot&er an% !altreats &er in a $it o$ %r*n,en rage+ At t&e age o$ si5 t&e #&il% #an no
longer ignore t&ose sor%i% %etails (&i#& een an a%*lt (o*l% $in% reolting+ In$e#te% (it& !oral poison, bo%il"
*n%erno*ris&e%, an% t&e poor little &ea% $ille% (it& er!in, t&e "o*ng M#iti>en goes to t&e pri!ar" s#&ool+ 3it& %i$$i#*lt"
&e barel" learns to rea% an% (rite+ T&ere is no possibilit" o$ learning an" lessons at &o!e+ P*ite t&e #ontrar"+ T&e $at&er
an% !ot&er t&e!seles tal, be$ore t&e #&il%ren in t&e !ost %isparaging (a" abo*t t&e tea#&er an% t&e s#&ool an% t&e" are
!*#& !ore in#line% to ins*lt t&e tea#&ers t&an to p*t t&eir o$$spring a#ross t&e ,nee an% ,no#, so*n% reason into &i!+
3&at t&e little $ello( &ears at &o!e %oes not ten% to in#rease respe#t $or &is &*!an s*rro*n%ings+ Here not&ing goo% is
sai% o$ &*!an nat*re as a (&ole an% eer" instit*tion, $ro! t&e s#&ool to t&e goern!ent, is reile%+ 3&et&er religion an%
!orals are #on#erne% or t&e State an% t&e so#ial or%er, it is all t&e sa!eC t&e" are all s#o$$e% at+ 3&en t&e "o*ng la% leaes
s#&ool, at t&e age o$ $o*rteen, it (o*l% be %i$$i#*lt to sa" (&at are t&e !ost stri,ing $eat*res o$ &is #&ara#ter, in#re%ible
ignoran#e in so $ar as real ,no(le%ge is #on#erne% or #"ni#al i!p*%en#e #o!bine% (it& an attit*%e to(ar%s !oralit"
(&i#& is reall" startling at so "o*ng an age+
3&at station in li$e #an s*#& a person $ill, to (&o! not&ing is sa#re%, (&o &as neer e5perien#e% an"t&ing noble b*t, on
t&e #ontrar", &as been inti!atel" a#/*ainte% (it& t&e lo(est ,in% o$ &*!an e5isten#e@ T&is #&il% o$ t&ree &as got into t&e
&abit o$ reiling all a*t&orit" b" t&e ti!e &e is $i$teen+ He &as been a#/*ainte% onl" (it& !oral $ilt& an% ileness,
eer"t&ing being e5#l*%e% t&at !ig&t sti!*late &is t&o*g&t to(ar%s &ig&er t&ings+ An% no( t&is "o*ng spe#i!en o$
&*!anit" enters t&e s#&ool o$ li$e+
He lea%s t&e sa!e ,in% o$ li$e (&i#& (as e5e!pli$ie% $or &i! b" &is $at&er %*ring &is #&il%&oo%+ He loiters abo*t an%
#o!es &o!e at all &o*rs+ He no( een bla#,1g*ar%s t&at bro,en1&earte% being (&o gae &i! birt&+ He #*rses Ao% an% t&e
(orl% an% $inall" en%s *p in a Ho*se o$ Corre#tion $or "o*ng people+ T&ere &e gets t&e $inal polis&+
An% &is bo*rgeois #onte!poraries are astonis&e% at t&e la#, o$ Mpatrioti# ent&*sias! (&i#& t&is "o*ng M#iti>en
!ani$ests+
=a" a$ter %a" t&e bo*rgeois (orl% are (itnesses to t&e p&eno!enon o$ sprea%ing poison a!ong t&e people t&ro*g& t&e
instr*!entalit" o$ t&e t&eatre an% t&e #ine!a, g*tter 0o*rnalis! an% obs#ene boo,sC an% "et t&e" are astonis&e% at t&e
%eplorable M!oral stan%ar%s an% Mnational in%i$$eren#e o$ t&e !asses+ As i$ t&e #ine!a bilge an% t&e g*tter press an%
s*#&li,e #o*l% in#*l#ate ,no(le%ge o$ t&e greatness o$ ones #o*ntr", apart entirel" $ro! t&e earlier e%*#ation o$ t&e
in%ii%*al+
I t&en #a!e to *n%erstan%, /*i#,l" an% t&oro*g&l", (&at I &a% neer been a(are o$ be$ore+ It (as t&e $ollo(ing4
T&e /*estion o$ Mnationali>ing a people is $irst an% $ore!ost one o$ establis&ing &ealt&" so#ial #on%itions (&i#& (ill
$*rnis& t&e gro*n%s t&at are ne#essar" $or t&e e%*#ation o$ t&e in%ii%*al+ For onl" (&en $a!il" *pbringing an% s#&ool
e%*#ation &ae in#*l#ate% in t&e in%ii%*al a ,no(le%ge o$ t&e #*lt*ral an% e#ono!i# an%, aboe all, t&e politi#al
greatness o$ &is o(n #o*ntr" 1 t&en, an% t&en onl", (ill it be possible $or &i! to $eel pro*% o$ being a #iti>en o$ s*#& a
#o*ntr"+ I #an $ig&t onl" $or so!et&ing t&at I loe+ I #an loe onl" (&at I respe#t+ An% in or%er to respe#t a t&ing I !*st at
least &ae so!e ,no(le%ge o$ it+
As soon as !" interest in so#ial /*estions (as on#e a(a,ene% I began to st*%" t&e! in a $*n%a!ental (a"+ A ne( an%
&it&erto *n,no(n (orl% (as t&*s reeale% to !e+
In t&e "ears 1979117 I &a% so $ar i!proe% !", position t&at I no longer &a% to earn !" %ail" brea% as a !an*al labo*rer+ I
(as no( (or,ing in%epen%entl" as %ra*g&ts!an, an% painter in (ater #olo*rs+ T&is !Qtier (as a poor one in%ee% as $ar as
earnings (ere #on#erne%C $or t&ese (ere onl" s*$$i#ient to !eet t&e bare e5igen#ies o$ li$e+ Ket it &a% an interest $or !e in
ie( o$ t&e pro$ession to (&i#& I aspire%+ )oreoer, (&en I #a!e &o!e in t&e eenings I (as no( no longer %ea%1tire% as
$or!erl", (&en I *se% to be *nable to loo, into a boo, (it&o*t $alling asleep al!ost i!!e%iatel"+ )" present o##*pation
t&ere$ore (as in line (it& t&e pro$ession I ai!e% at $or t&e $*t*re+ )oreoer, I (as !aster o$ !" o(n ti!e an% #o*l%
%istrib*te !" (or,ing1&o*rs no( better t&an $or!erl"+ I painte% in or%er to earn !" brea%, an% I st*%ie% be#a*se I li,e% it+
T&*s I (as able to a#/*ire t&at t&eoreti#al ,no(le%ge o$ t&e so#ial proble! (&i#& (as a ne#essar" #o!ple!ent to (&at I
(as learning t&ro*g& a#t*al e5perien#e+ I st*%ie% all t&e boo,s (&i#& I #o*l% $in% t&at %ealt (it& t&is /*estion an% I
t&o*g&t %eepl" on (&at I rea%+ I t&in, t&at t&e !ilie* in (&i#& I t&en lie% #onsi%ere% !e an e##entri# person+
8esi%es !" interest in t&e so#ial /*estion I nat*rall" %eote% !"sel$ (it& ent&*sias! to t&e st*%" o$ ar#&ite#t*re+ Si%e b"
si%e (it& !*si#, I #onsi%ere% it /*een o$ t&e arts+ To st*%" it (as $or !e not (or, b*t pleas*re+ I #o*l% rea% or %ra( *ntil
t&e s!all &o*rs o$ t&e !orning (it&o*t eer getting tire%+ An% I be#a!e !ore an% !ore #on$i%ent t&at !" %rea! o$ a
brilliant $*t*re (o*l% be#o!e tr*e, een t&o*g& I s&o*l% &ae to (ait long "ears $or its $*l$il!ent+ I (as $ir!l" #onin#e%
t&at one %a" I s&o*l% !a,e a na!e $or !"sel$ as an ar#&ite#t+
T&e $a#t t&at, si%e b" si%e (it& !" pro$essional st*%ies, I too, t&e greatest interest in eer"t&ing t&at &a% to %o (it&
politi#s %i% not see! to !e to signi$" an"t&ing o$ great i!portan#e+ On t&e #ontrar"4 I loo,e% *pon t&is pra#ti#al interest
in politi#s !erel" as part o$ an ele!entar" obligation t&at %eoles on eer" t&in,ing !an+ T&ose (&o &ae no
*n%erstan%ing o$ t&e politi#al (orl% aro*n% t&e! &ae no rig&t to #riti#i>e or #o!plain+ On politi#al /*estions t&ere$ore I
still #ontin*e% to rea% an% st*%" a great %eal+ 8*t rea%ing &a% probabl" a %i$$erent signi$i#an#e $or !e $ro! t&at (&i#& it
&as $or t&e aerage r*n o$ o*r so1#alle% Mintelle#t*als+
I ,no( people (&o rea% inter!inabl", boo, a$ter boo,, $ro! page to page, an% "et I s&o*l% not #all t&e! M(ell1rea%
people+ O$ #o*rse t&e" M,no( an i!!ense a!o*ntC b*t t&eir brain see!s in#apable o$ assorting an% #lassi$"ing t&e
!aterial (&i#& t&e" &ae gat&ere% $ro! boo,s+ T&e" &ae not t&e $a#*lt" o$ %isting*is&ing bet(een (&at is *se$*l an%
*seless in a boo,C so t&at t&e" !a" retain t&e $or!er in t&eir !in%s an% i$ possible s,ip oer t&e latter (&ile rea%ing it, i$
t&at be not possible, t&en 1 (&en on#e rea% 1 t&ro( it oerboar% as *seless ballast+ Rea%ing is not an en% in itsel$, b*t a
!eans to an en%+ Its #&ie$ p*rpose is to &elp to(ar%s $illing in t&e $ra!e(or, (&i#& is !a%e *p o$ t&e talents an%
#apabilities t&at ea#& in%ii%*al possesses+ T&*s ea#& one pro#*res $or &i!sel$ t&e i!ple!ents an% !aterials ne#essar" $or
t&e $*l$il!ent o$ &is #alling in li$e, no !atter (&et&er t&is be t&e ele!entar" tas, o$ earning ones %ail" brea% or a #alling
t&at respon%s to &ig&er &*!an aspirations+ S*#& is t&e $irst p*rpose o$ rea%ing+ An% t&e se#on% p*rpose is to gie a
general ,no(le%ge o$ t&e (orl% in (&i#& (e lie+ In bot& #ases, &o(eer, t&e !aterial (&i#& one &as a#/*ire% t&ro*g&
rea%ing !*st not be store% *p in t&e !e!or" on a plan t&at #orrespon%s to t&e s*##essie #&apters o$ t&e boo,C b*t ea#&
little pie#e o$ ,no(le%ge t&*s gaine% !*st be treate% as i$ it (ere a little stone to be inserte% into a !osai#, so t&at it $in%s
its proper pla#e a!ong all t&e ot&er pie#es an% parti#les t&at &elp to $or! a general (orl%1pi#t*re in t&e brain o$ t&e
rea%er+ Ot&er(ise onl" a #on$*se% 0*!ble o$ #&aoti# notions (ill res*lt $ro! all t&is rea%ing+ T&at 0*!ble is not !erel"
*seless, b*t it also ten%s to !a,e t&e *n$ort*nate possessor o$ it #on#eite%+ For &e serio*sl" #onsi%ers &i!sel$ a (ell1
e%*#ate% person an% t&in,s t&at &e *n%erstan%s so!et&ing o$ li$e+ He beliees t&at &e &as a#/*ire% ,no(le%ge, (&ereas
t&e tr*t& is t&at eer" in#rease in s*#& M,no(le%ge %ra(s &i! !ore an% !ore a(a" $ro! real li$e, *ntil &e $inall" en%s *p
in so!e sanatori*! or ta,es to politi#s an% be#o!es a parlia!entar" %ep*t"+
S*#& a person neer s*##ee%s in t*rning &is ,no(le%ge to pra#ti#al a##o*nt (&en t&e opport*ne !o!ent arriesC $or &is
!ental e/*ip!ent is not or%ere% (it& a ie( to !eeting t&e %e!an%s o$ eer"%a" li$e+ His ,no(le%ge is store% in &is brain
as a literal trans#ript o$ t&e boo,s &e &as rea% an% t&e or%er o$ s*##ession in (&i#& &e &as rea% t&e!+ An% i$ Fate s&o*l%
one %a" #all *pon &i! to *se so!e o$ &is boo,1,no(le%ge $or #ertain pra#ti#al en%s in li$e t&at er" #all (ill &ae to na!e
t&e boo, an% gie t&e n*!ber o$ t&e pageC $or t&e poor noo%le &i!sel$ (o*l% neer be able to $in% t&e spot (&ere &e
gat&ere% t&e in$or!ation no( #alle% $or+ 8*t i$ t&e page is not !entione% at t&e #riti#al !o!ent t&e (i%el"1rea%
intelle#t*al (ill $in% &i!sel$ in a state o$ &opeless e!barrass!ent+ In a &ig& state o$ agitation &e sear#&es $or analogo*s
#ases an% it is al!ost a %ea% #ertaint" t&at &e (ill $inall" %elier t&e (rong pres#ription+
I$ t&at is not a #orre#t %es#ription, t&en &o( #an (e e5plain t&e politi#al a#&iee!ents o$ o*r Parlia!entar" &eroes (&o
&ol% t&e &ig&est positions in t&e goern!ent o$ t&e #o*ntr"@ Ot&er(ise (e s&o*l% &ae to attrib*te t&e %oings o$ s*#&
politi#al lea%ers, not to pat&ologi#al #on%itions b*t si!pl" to !ali#e an% #&i#aner"+
On t&e ot&er &an%, one (&o &as #*ltiate% t&e art o$ rea%ing (ill instantl" %is#ern, in a boo, or 0o*rnal or pa!p&let, (&at
o*g&t to be re!e!bere% be#a*se it !eets ones personal nee%s or is o$ al*e as general ,no(le%ge+ 3&at &e t&*s learns is
in#orporate% in &is !ental analog*e o$ t&is or t&at proble! or t&ing, $*rt&er #orre#ting t&e !ental pi#t*re or enlarging it
so t&at it be#o!es !ore e5a#t an% pre#ise+ S&o*l% so!e pra#ti#al proble! s*%%enl" %e!an% e5a!ination or sol*tion,
!e!or" (ill i!!e%iatel" sele#t t&e opport*ne in$or!ation $ro! t&e !ass t&at &as been a#/*ire% t&ro*g& "ears o$ rea%ing
an% (ill pla#e t&is in$or!ation at t&e seri#e o$ ones po(ers o$ 0*%g!ent so as to get a ne( an% #learer ie( o$ t&e
proble! in /*estion or pro%*#e a %e$initie sol*tion+
Onl" t&*s #an rea%ing &ae an" !eaning or be (ort& (&ile+
T&e spea,er, $or e5a!ple, (&o &as not t&e so*r#es o$ in$or!ation rea%" to &an% (&i#& are ne#essar" to a proper treat!ent
o$ &is s*b0e#t is *nable to %e$en% &is opinions against an opponent, een t&o*g& t&ose opinions be per$e#tl" so*n% an%
tr*e+ In eer" %is#*ssion &is !e!or" (ill leae &i! s&a!e$*ll" in t&e l*r#&+ He #annot s*!!on *p arg*!ents to s*pport
&is state!ents or to re$*te &is opponent+ So long as t&e spea,er &as onl" to %e$en% &i!sel$ on &is o(n personal a##o*nt,
t&e sit*ation is not serio*sC b*t t&e eil #o!es (&en C&an#e pla#es at t&e &ea% o$ p*bli# a$$airs s*#& a soi1%isant ,no(1it1
all, (&o in realit" ,no(s not&ing+
Fro! earl" "o*t& I en%eao*re% to rea% boo,s in t&e rig&t (a" an% I (as $ort*nate in &aing a goo% !e!or" an%
intelligen#e to assist !e+ Fro! t&at point o$ ie( !" so0o*rn in Bienna (as parti#*larl" *se$*l an% pro$itable+ )"
e5perien#es o$ eer"%a" li$e t&ere (ere a #onstant sti!*l*s to st*%" t&e !ost %ierse proble!s $ro! ne( angles+ Inas!*#&
as I (as in a position to p*t t&eor" to t&e test o$ realit" an% realit" to t&e test o$ t&eor", I (as sa$e $ro! t&e %anger o$
pe%anti# t&eori>ing on t&e one &an% an%, on t&e ot&er, $ro! being too i!presse% b" t&e s*per$i#ial aspe#ts o$ realit"+
T&e e5perien#e o$ eer"%a" li$e at t&at ti!e %eter!ine% !e to !a,e a $*n%a!ental t&eoreti#al st*%" o$ t(o !ost i!portant
/*estions o*tsi%e o$ t&e so#ial /*estion+
It is i!possible to sa" (&en I !ig&t &ae starte% to !a,e a t&oro*g& st*%" o$ t&e %o#trine an% #&ara#teristi#s o$ )ar5is!
(ere it not $or t&e $a#t t&at I t&en literall" ran &ea% $ore!ost into t&e proble!+
3&at I ,ne( o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#" in !" "o*t& (as pre#io*s little an% t&at little (as $or t&e !ost part (rong+ T&e $a#t t&at
it le% t&e str*ggle $or *niersal s*$$rage an% t&e se#ret ballot gae !e an inner satis$a#tionC $or !" reason t&en tol% !e t&at
t&is (o*l% (ea,en t&e Habsb*rg regi!e, (&i#& I so t&oro*g&l" %eteste%+ I (as #onin#e% t&at een i$ it s&o*l% sa#ri$i#e
t&e Aer!an ele!ent t&e =an*bian State #o*l% not #ontin*e to e5ist+ Een at t&e pri#e o$ a long an% slo( Slai>1ation o$
t&e A*strian Aer!ans t&e State (o*l% se#*re no g*arantee o$ a reall" %*rable E!pireC be#a*se it (as er" /*estionable i$
an% &o( $ar t&e Slas possesse% t&e ne#essar" #apa#it" $or #onstr*#tie politi#s+ T&ere$ore I (el#o!e% eer" !oe!ent
t&at !ig&t lea% to(ar%s t&e $inal %isr*ption o$ t&at i!possible State (&i#& &a% %e#ree% t&at it (o*l% sta!p o*t t&e
Aer!an #&ara#ter in ten !illions o$ people+ T&e !ore t&is babel o$ tong*es (ro*g&t %is#or% an% %isr*ption, een in t&e
Parlia!ent, t&e nearer t&e &o*r approa#&e% $or t&e %issol*tion o$ t&is 8ab"lonian E!pire+ T&at (o*l% !ean t&e liberation
o$ !" Aer!an A*strian people, an% onl" t&en (o*l% it be#o!e possible $or t&e! to be re1*nite% to t&e )ot&erlan%+
A##or%ingl" I &a% no $eelings o$ antipat&" to(ar%s t&e a#t*al poli#" o$ t&e So#ial =e!o#rats+ T&at its ao(e% p*rpose (as
to raise t&e leel o$ t&e (or,ing #lasses 1 (&i#& in !" ignoran#e I t&en $oolis&l" beliee% 1 (as a $*rt&er reason (&" I
s&o*l% spea, in $ao*r o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#" rat&er t&an against it+ 8*t t&e $eat*res t&at #ontrib*te% !ost to estrange !e
$ro! t&e So#ial =e!o#rati# !oe!ent (as its &ostile attit*%e to(ar%s t&e str*ggle $or t&e #onseration o$ Aer!anis! in
A*stria, its la!entable #o#otting (it& t&e Sla M#o!ra%es, (&o re#eie% t&ese approa#&es $ao*rabl" as long as an"
pra#ti#al a%antages (ere $ort&#o!ing b*t ot&er(ise !aintaine% a &a*g&t" resere, t&*s giing t&e i!port*nate
!en%i#ants t&e sort o$ ans(er t&eir be&aio*r %esere%+
An% so at t&e age o$ seenteen t&e (or% M)ar5is! (as er" little ,no(n to !e, (&ile I loo,e% on MSo#ial =e!o#ra#" an%
MSo#ialis! as s"non"!o*s e5pressions+ It (as onl" as t&e res*lt o$ a s*%%en blo( $ro! t&e ro*g& &an% o$ Fate t&at !"
e"es (ere opene% to t&e nat*re o$ t&is *nparallele% s"ste! $or %*ping t&e p*bli#+
Hit&erto !" a#/*aintan#e (it& t&e So#ial =e!o#rati# Part" (as onl" t&at o$ a !ere spe#tator at so!e o$ t&eir !ass
!eetings+ I &a% not t&e slig&test i%ea o$ t&e so#ial1%e!o#rati# tea#&ing or t&e !entalit" o$ its partisans+ All o$ a s*%%en I
(as bro*g&t $a#e to $a#e (it& t&e pro%*#ts o$ t&eir tea#&ing an% (&at t&e" #alle% t&eir 3eltans#&&a**ng+ In t&is (a" a $e(
!ont&s s*$$i#e% $or !e to learn so!et&ing (&i#& *n%er ot&er #ir#*!stan#es !ig&t &ae ne#essitate% %e#a%es o$ st*%" 1
na!el", t&at *n%er t&e #loa, o$ so#ial irt*e an% loe o$ ones neig&bo*r a eritable pestilen#e (as sprea%ing abroa% an%
t&at i$ t&is pestilen#e be not sta!pe% o*t o$ t&e (orl% (it&o*t %ela" it !a" eent*all" s*##ee% in e5ter!inating t&e &*!an
ra#e+
I $irst #a!e into #onta#t (it& t&e So#ial =e!o#rats (&ile (or,ing in t&e b*il%ing tra%e+
Fro! t&e er" ti!e t&at I starte% (or, t&e sit*ation (as not er" pleasant $or !e+ )" #lot&es (ere still rat&er %e#ent+ I (as
#are$*l o$ !" spee#& an% I (as resere% in !anner+ I (as so o##*pie% (it& t&in,ing o$ !" o(n present lot an% $*t*re
possibilities t&at I %i% not ta,e !*#& o$ an interest in !" i!!e%iate s*rro*n%ings+ I &a% so*g&t (or, so t&at I s&o*l%nt
stare an% at t&e sa!e ti!e so as to be able to !a,e $*rt&er &ea%(a" (it& !" st*%ies, t&o*g& t&is &ea%(a" !ig&t be slo(+
Possibl" I s&o*l% not &ae bot&ere% to be intereste% in !" #o!panions (ere it not t&at on t&e t&ir% or $o*rt& %a" an eent
o##*rre% (&i#& $or#e% !e to ta,e a %e$inite stan%+ I (as or%ere% to 0oin t&e tra%e *nion+
At t&at ti!e I ,ne( not&ing abo*t t&e tra%es *nions+ I &a% &a% no opport*nit" o$ $or!ing an opinion on t&eir *tilit" or
in*tilit", as t&e #ase !ig&t be+ 8*t (&en I (as tol% t&at I !*st 0oin t&e *nion I re$*se%+ T&e gro*n%s (&i#& I gae $or !"
re$*sal (ere si!pl" t&at I ,ne( not&ing abo*t t&e !atter an% t&at an"&o( I (o*l% not allo( !"sel$ to be $or#e% into
an"t&ing+ Probabl" t&e $or!er reason sae% !e $ro! being t&ro(n o*t rig&t a(a"+ T&e" probabl" t&o*g&t t&at (it&in a
$e( %a"s I !ig&t be #onerte% an% be#o!e !ore %o#ile+ 8*t i$ t&e" t&o*g&t t&at t&e" (ere pro$o*n%l" !ista,en+ A$ter t(o
(ee,s I $o*n% it *tterl" i!possible $or !e to ta,e s*#& a step, een i$ I &a% been (illing to ta,e it at $irst+ =*ring t&ose
$o*rteen %a"s I #a!e to ,no( !" $ello( (or,!en better, an% no po(er in t&e (orl% #o*l% &ae !oe% !e to 0oin an
organi>ation (&ose representaties &a% !ean(&ile s&o(n t&e!seles in a lig&t (&i#& I $o*n% so *n$ao*rable+
=*ring t&e $irst %a"s !" resent!ent (as aro*se%+
At !i%%a" so!e o$ !" $ello( (or,ers *se% to a%0o*rn to t&e nearest taern, (&ile t&e ot&ers re!aine% on t&e b*il%ing
pre!ises an% t&ere ate t&eir !i%%a" !eal, (&i#& in !ost #ases (as a er" s#ant" one+ T&ese (ere !arrie% !en+ T&eir
(ies bro*g&t t&e! t&e !i%%a" so*p in %ilapi%ate% essels+ To(ar%s t&e en% o$ t&e (ee, t&ere (as a gra%*al in#rease in
t&e n*!ber o$ t&ose (&o re!aine% to eat t&eir !i%%a" !eal on t&e b*il%ing pre!ises+ I *n%erstoo% t&e reason $or t&is
a$ter(ar%s+ T&e" no( tal,e% politi#s+
I %ran, !" bottle o$ !il, an% ate !" !orsel o$ brea% so!e(&ere on t&e o*ts,irts, (&ile I #ir#*!spe#tl" st*%ie% !"
eniron!ent or else $ell to !e%itating on !" o(n &ars& lot+ Ket I &ear% !ore t&an eno*g&+ An% I o$ten t&o*g&t t&at so!e
o$ (&at t&e" sai% (as !eant $or !" ears, in t&e &ope o$ bringing !e to a %e#ision+ 8*t all t&at I &ear% &a% t&e e$$e#t o$
aro*sing t&e strongest antagonis! in !e+ Eer"t&ing (as %isparage% 1 t&e nation, be#a*se it (as &el% to be an inention o$
t&e M#apitalist #lass F&o( o$ten I &a% to listen to t&at p&raseNGC t&e Fat&erlan%, be#a*se it (as &el% to be an instr*!ent in
t&e &an%s o$ t&e bo*rgeoisie $or t&e e5ploitation o$ t&e (or,ing !assesC t&e a*t&orit" o$ t&e la(, be#a*se t&at (as a !eans
o$ &ol%ing %o(n t&e proletariatC religion, as a !eans o$ %oping t&e people, so as to e5ploit t&e! a$ter(ar%sC !oralit", as a
ba%ge o$ st*pi% an% s&eepis& %o#ilit"+ T&ere (as not&ing t&at t&e" %i% not %rag in t&e !*%+
At $irst I re!aine% silentC b*t t&at #o*l% not last er" long+ T&en I began to ta,e part in t&e %is#*ssion an% to repl" to t&eir
state!ents+ I &a% to re#ogni>e, &o(eer, t&at t&is (as bo*n% to be entirel" $r*itless, as long as I %i% not &ae at least a
#ertain a!o*nt o$ %e$inite in$or!ation abo*t t&e /*estions t&at (ere %is#*sse%+ So I %e#i%e% to #ons*lt t&e so*r#e $ro!
(&i#& !" interlo#*tors #lai!e% to &ae %ra(n t&eir so1#alle% (is%o!+ I %eo*re% boo, a$ter boo,, pa!p&let a$ter
pa!p&let+
)ean(&ile, (e arg*e% (it& one anot&er on t&e b*il%ing pre!ises+ Fro! %a" to %a" I (as be#o!ing better in$or!e% t&an
!" #o!panions in t&e s*b0e#ts on (&i#& t&e" #lai!e% to be e5perts+ T&en a %a" #a!e (&en t&e !ore re%o*btable o$ !"
a%ersaries resorte% to t&e !ost e$$e#tie (eapon t&e" &a% to repla#e t&e $or#e o$ reason+ T&is (as inti!i%ation an%
p&"si#al $or#e+ So!e o$ t&e lea%ers a!ong !" a%ersaries or%ere% !e to leae t&e b*il%ing or else get $l*ng %o(n $ro! t&e
s#a$$ol%ing+ As I (as /*ite alone I #o*l% not p*t *p an" p&"si#al resistan#eC so I #&ose t&e $irst alternatie an% %eparte%,
ri#&er &o(eer b" an e5perien#e+
I (ent a(a" $*ll o$ %isg*stC b*t at t&e sa!e ti!e so %eepl" !oe% t&at it (as /*ite i!possible $or !e to t*rn !" ba#, on
t&e (&ole sit*ation an% t&in, no !ore abo*t it+ 3&en !" anger began to #al! %o(n t&e spirit o$ obstina#" got t&e *pper
&an% an% I %e#i%e% t&at at all #osts I (o*l% get ba#, to (or, again in t&e b*il%ing tra%e+ T&is %e#ision be#a!e all t&e
stronger a $e( (ee,s later, (&en !" little saings &a% entirel" r*n o*t an% &*nger #l*t#&e% !e on#e again in its !er#iless
ar!s+ .o alternatie (as le$t to !e+ I got (or, again an% &a% to leae it $or t&e sa!e reasons as be$ore+
T&en I as,e% !"sel$4 Are t&ese !en (ort&" o$ belonging to a great people@ T&e /*estion (as pro$o*n%l" %ist*rbingC $or i$
t&e ans(er (ere MKes, t&en t&e str*ggle to %e$en% ones nationalit" is no longer (ort& all t&e tro*ble an% sa#ri$i#e (e
%e!an% o$ o*r best ele!ents i$ it be in t&e interests o$ s*#& a rabble+ On t&e ot&er &an%, i$ t&e ans(er &a% to be M.o 1 t&ese
!en are not (ort&" o$ t&e nation, t&en o*r nation is poor in%ee% in !en+ =*ring t&ose %a"s o$ !ental ang*is& an% %eep
!e%itation I sa( be$ore !" !in% t&e eer1in#reasing an% !ena#ing ar!" o$ people (&o #o*l% no longer be re#,one% as
belonging to t&eir o(n nation+
It (as (it& /*ite a %i$$erent $eeling, so!e %a"s later, t&at I ga>e% on t&e inter!inable ran,s, $o*r abreast, o$ Biennese
(or,!en para%ing at a !ass %e!onstration+ I stoo% %*!b$o*n%e% $or al!ost t(o &o*rs, (at#&ing t&at enor!o*s &*!an
%ragon (&i#& slo(l" *n#oile% itsel$ t&ere be$ore !e+ 3&en I $inall" le$t t&e s/*are an% (an%ere% in t&e %ire#tion o$ !"
lo%gings I $elt %is!a"e% an% %epresse%+ On !" (a" I noti#e% t&e Arbeiter>eit*ng FT&e 3or,!ans -o*rnalG in a toba##o
s&op+ T&is (as t&e #&ie$ press1organ o$ t&e ol% A*strian So#ial =e!o#ra#"+ In a #&eap #a$Q, (&ere t&e #o!!on people
*se% to $oregat&er an% (&ere I o$ten (ent to rea% t&e papers, t&e Arbeiter>eit*ng (as also %ispla"e%+ 8*t &it&erto I #o*l%
not bring !"sel$ to %o !ore t&an glan#e at t&e (ret#&e% t&ing $or a #o*ple o$ !in*tes4 $or its (&ole tone (as a sort o$
!ental itriol to !e+ Un%er t&e %epressing in$l*en#e o$ t&e %e!onstration I &a% (itnesse%, so!e interior oi#e *rge% !e to
b*" t&e paper in t&at toba##o s&op an% rea% it t&ro*g&+ So I bro*g&t it &o!e (it& !e an% spent t&e (&ole eening rea%ing
it, %espite t&e stea%il" !o*nting rage proo,e% b" t&is #easeless o*tpo*ring o$ $alse&oo%s+
I no( $o*n% t&at in t&e so#ial %e!o#rati# %ail" papers I #o*l% st*%" t&e inner #&ara#ter o$ t&is politi#o1p&ilosop&i# s"ste!
!*#& better t&an in all t&eir t&eoreti#al literat*re+
For t&ere (as a stri,ing %is#repan#" bet(een t&e t(o+ In t&e literar" e$$*sions (&i#& %ealt (it& t&e t&eor" o$ So#ial
=e!o#ra#" t&ere (as a %ispla" o$ &ig&1so*n%ing p&raseolog" abo*t libert" an% &*!an %ignit" an% bea*t", all pro!*lgate%
(it& an air o$ pro$o*n% (is%o! an% serene prop&eti# ass*ran#eC a !eti#*lo*sl"1(oen glitter o$ (or%s to %a>>le an%
!islea% t&e rea%er+ On t&e ot&er &an%, t&e %ail" Press in#*l#ate% t&is ne( %o#trine o$ &*!an re%e!ption in t&e !ost
br*tal $as&ion+ .o !eans (ere too base, proi%e% t&e" #o*l% be e5ploite% in t&e #a!paign o$ slan%er+ T&ese 0o*rnalists
(ere real irt*osos in t&e art o$ t(isting $a#ts an% presenting t&e! in a %e#eptie $or!+ T&e t&eoreti#al literat*re (as
inten%e% $or t&e si!pletons o$ t&e soi1%isant intelle#t*als belonging to t&e !i%%le an%, nat*rall", t&e *pper #lasses+ T&e
ne(spaper propagan%a (as inten%e% $or t&e !asses+
T&is probing into boo,s an% ne(spapers an% st*%"ing t&e tea#&ings o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#" rea(a,ene% !" loe $or !" o(n
people+ An% t&*s (&at at $irst see!e% an i!passable #&as! be#a!e t&e o##asion o$ a #loser a$$e#tion+
Haing on#e *n%erstoo% t&e (or,ing o$ t&e #olossal s"ste! $or poisoning t&e pop*lar !in%, onl" a $ool #o*l% bla!e t&e
i#ti!s o$ it+ =*ring t&e "ears t&at $ollo(e% I be#a!e !ore in%epen%ent an%, as I %i% so, I be#a!e better able to
*n%erstan% t&e inner #a*se o$ t&e s*##ess a#&iee% b" t&is So#ial =e!o#rati# gospel+ I no( reali>e% t&e !eaning an%
p*rpose o$ t&ose br*tal or%ers (&i#& pro&ibite% t&e rea%ing o$ all boo,s an% ne(spapers t&at (ere not Mre% an% at t&e
sa!e ti!e %e!an%e% t&at onl" t&e Mre% !eetings s&o*l% be atten%e%+ In t&e #lear lig&t o$ br*tal realit" I (as able to see
(&at !*st &ae been t&e ineitable #onse/*en#es o$ t&at intolerant tea#&ing+
T&e ps"#&e o$ t&e broa% !asses is a##essible onl" to (&at is strong an% *n#o!pro!ising+ 'i,e a (o!an (&ose inner
sensibilities are not so !*#& *n%er t&e s(a" o$ abstra#t reasoning b*t are al(a"s s*b0e#t to t&e in$l*en#e o$ a ag*e
e!otional longing $or t&e strengt& t&at #o!pletes &er being, an% (&o (o*l% rat&er bo( to t&e strong !an t&an %o!inate
t&e (ea,ling 1 in li,e !anner t&e !asses o$ t&e people pre$er t&e r*ler to t&e s*ppliant an% are $ille% (it& a stronger sense
o$ !ental se#*rit" b" a tea#&ing t&at broo,s no rial t&an b" a tea#&ing (&i#& o$$ers t&e! a liberal #&oi#e+ T&e" &ae er"
little i%ea o$ &o( to !a,e s*#& a #&oi#e an% t&*s t&e" are prone to $eel t&at t&e" &ae been aban%one%+ T&e" $eel er" little
s&a!e at being terrori>e% intelle#t*all" an% t&e" are s#ar#el" #ons#io*s o$ t&e $a#t t&at t&eir $ree%o! as &*!an beings is
i!p*%entl" ab*se%C an% t&*s t&e" &ae not t&e slig&test s*spi#ion o$ t&e intrinsi# $alla#" o$ t&e (&ole %o#trine+ T&e" see
onl" t&e r*t&less $or#e an% br*talit" o$ its %eter!ine% *tteran#es, to (&i#& t&e" al(a"s s*b!it+
I$ So#ial =e!o#ra#" s&o*l% be oppose% b" a !ore tr*t&$*l tea#&ing, t&en een, t&o*g& t&e str*ggle be o$ t&e bitterest ,in%,
t&is tr*t&$*l tea#&ing (ill $inall" preail proi%e% it be en$or#e% (it& e/*al r*t&lessness+
3it&in less t&an t(o "ears I &a% gaine% a #lear *n%erstan%ing o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#", in its tea#&ing an% t&e te#&ni/*e o$ its
operations+
I re#ogni>e% t&e in$a!" o$ t&at te#&ni/*e (&ereb" t&e !oe!ent #arrie% on a #a!paign o$ !ental terroris! against t&e
bo*rgeoisie, (&o are neit&er !orall" nor spirit*all" e/*ippe% to (it&stan% s*#& atta#,s+ T&e ta#ti#s o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#"
#onsiste% in opening, at a gien signal, a eritable %r*!1$ire o$ lies an% #al*!nies against t&e !an (&o! t&e" beliee% to
be t&e !ost re%o*btable o$ t&eir a%ersaries, *ntil t&e neres o$ t&e latter gae (a" an% t&e" sa#ri$i#e% t&e !an (&o (as
atta#,e%, si!pl" in t&e &ope o$ being allo(e% to lie in pea#e+ 8*t t&e &ope proe% al(a"s to be a $oolis& one, $or t&e"
(ere neer le$t in pea#e+
T&e sa!e ta#ti#s are repeate% again an% again, *ntil $ear o$ t&ese !a% %ogs e5er#ises, t&ro*g& s*ggestion, a paral"sing
e$$e#t on t&eir Bi#ti!s+
T&ro*g& its o(n e5perien#e So#ial =e!o#ra#" learne% t&e al*e o$ strengt&, an% $or t&at reason it atta#,s !ostl" t&ose in
(&o! it s#ents st*$$ o$ t&e !ore stal(art ,in%, (&i#& is in%ee% a er" rare possession+ On t&e ot&er &an% it praises eer"
(ea,ling a!ong its a%ersaries, !ore or less #a*tio*sl", a##or%ing to t&e !eas*re o$ &is !ental /*alities ,no(n or
pres*!e%+ T&e" &ae less $ear o$ a !an o$ geni*s (&o la#,s (ill1po(er t&an o$ a igoro*s #&ara#ter (it& !e%io#re
intelligen#e an% at t&e sa!e ti!e t&e" &ig&l" #o!!en% t&ose (&o are %eoi% o$ intelligen#e an% (ill1po(er+
T&e So#ial =e!o#rats ,no( &o( to #reate t&e i!pression t&at t&e" alone are t&e prote#tors o$ pea#e+ In t&is (a", a#ting
er" #ir#*!spe#tl" b*t neer losing sig&t o$ t&eir *lti!ate goal, t&e" #on/*er one position a$ter anot&er, at one ti!e b"
!et&o%s o$ /*iet inti!i%ation an% at anot&er ti!e b" s&eer %a"lig&t robber", e!plo"ing t&ese latter ta#ti#s at t&ose
!o!ents (&en p*bli# attention is t*rne% to(ar%s ot&er !atters $ro! (&i#& it %oes not (is& to be %ierte%, or (&en t&e
p*bli# #onsi%ers an in#i%ent too triial to #reate a s#an%al abo*t it an% t&*s proo,e t&e anger o$ a !alignant opponent+
T&ese ta#ti#s are base% on an a##*rate esti!ation o$ &*!an $railties an% !*st lea% to s*##ess, (it& al!ost !at&e!ati#al
#ertaint", *nless t&e ot&er si%e also learns &o( to $ig&t poison gas (it& poison gas+ T&e (ea,er nat*res !*st be tol% t&at
&ere it is a #ase o$ to be or not to be+
I also #a!e to *n%erstan% t&at p&"si#al inti!i%ation &as its signi$i#an#e $or t&e !ass as (ell as $or t&e in%ii%*al+ Here
again t&e So#ialists &a% #al#*late% a##*ratel" on t&e ps"#&ologi#al e$$e#t+
Inti!i%ation in (or,s&ops an% in $a#tories, in asse!bl" &alls an% at !ass %e!onstrations, (ill al(a"s !eet (it& s*##ess
as long as it %oes not &ae to en#o*nter t&e sa!e ,in% o$ terror in a stronger $or!+
T&en o$ #o*rse t&e Part" (ill raise a &orri$ie% o*t#r", "elling bl*e !*r%er an% appealing to t&e a*t&orit" o$ t&e State,
(&i#& t&e" &ae 0*st rep*%iate%+ In %oing t&is t&eir ai! generall" is to a%% to t&e general #on$*sion, so t&at t&e" !a" &ae
a better opport*nit" o$ rea#&ing t&eir o(n goal *nobsere%+ T&eir i%ea is to $in% a!ong t&e &ig&er goern!ent o$$i#ials
so!e boine #reat*re (&o, in t&e st*pi% &ope t&at &e !a" (in t&e goo% gra#es o$ t&ese a(e1inspiring opponents so t&at
t&e" !a" re!e!ber &i! in #ase o$ $*t*re eent*alities, (ill &elp t&e! no( to brea, all t&ose (&o !a" oppose t&is (orl%
pest+
T&e i!pression (&i#& s*#& s*##ess$*l ta#ti#s !a,e on t&e !in%s o$ t&e broa% !asses, (&et&er t&e" be a%&erents or
opponents, #an be esti!ate% onl" b" one (&o ,no(s t&e pop*lar !in%, not $ro! boo,s b*t $ro! pra#ti#al li$e+ For t&e
s*##esses (&i#& are t&*s obtaine% are ta,en b" t&e a%&erents o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#" as a tri*!p&ant s"!bol o$ t&e
rig&teo*sness o$ t&eir o(n #a*seC on t&e ot&er &an% t&e beaten opponent er" o$ten loses $ait& in t&e e$$e#tieness o$ an"
$*rt&er resistan#e+
T&e !ore I *n%erstoo% t&e !et&o%s o$ p&"si#al inti!i%ation t&at (ere e!plo"e%, t&e !ore s"!pat&" I &a% $or t&e
!*ltit*%e t&at &a% s*##*!be% to it+
I a! t&an,$*l no( $or t&e or%eal (&i#& I &a% to go t&ro*g& at t&at ti!eC $or it (as t&e !eans o$ bringing !e to t&in,
,in%l" again o$ !" o(n people, inas!*#& as t&e e5perien#e enable% !e to %isting*is& bet(een t&e $alse lea%ers an% t&e
i#ti!s (&o &ae been le% astra"+
3e !*st loo, *pon t&e latter si!pl" as i#ti!s+ I &ae 0*st no( trie% to %epi#t a $e( traits (&i#& e5press t&e !entalit" o$
t&ose on t&e lo(est r*ng o$ t&e so#ial la%%erC b*t !" pi#t*re (o*l% be %isproportionate i$ I %o not a%% t&at a!i% t&e so#ial
%ept&s I still $o*n% lig&tC $or I e5perien#e% a rare spirit o$ sel$1sa#ri$i#e an% lo"al #o!ra%es&ip a!ong t&ose !en, (&o
%e!an%e% little $ro! li$e an% (ere #ontent a!i% t&eir !o%est s*rro*n%ings+ T&is (as tr*e espe#iall" o$ t&e ol%er
generation o$ (or,!en+ An% alt&o*g& t&ese /*alities (ere %isappearing !ore an% !ore in t&e "o*nger generation, o(ing
to t&e all1pera%ing in$l*en#e o$ t&e big #it", "et a!ong t&e "o*nger generation also t&ere (ere !an" (&o (ere so*n% at
t&e #ore an% (&o (ere able to !aintain t&e!seles *n#onta!inate% a!i% t&e sor%i% s*rro*n%ings o$ t&eir eer"%a"
e5isten#e+ I$ t&ese !en, (&o in !an" #ases !eant (ell an% (ere *prig&t in t&e!seles, gae t&e s*pport to t&e politi#al
a#tiities #arrie% on b" t&e #o!!on ene!ies o$ o*r people, t&at (as be#a*se t&ose %e#ent (or,people %i% not an% #o*l%
not grasp t&e %o(nrig&t in$a!" o$ t&e %o#trine ta*g&t b" t&e so#ialist agitators+ F*rt&er!ore, it (as be#a*se no ot&er
se#tion o$ t&e #o!!*nit" bot&ere% itsel$ abo*t t&e lot o$ t&e (or,ing #lasses+ Finall", t&e so#ial #on%itions be#a!e s*#&
t&at !en (&o ot&er(ise (o*l% &ae a#te% %i$$erentl" (ere $or#e% to s*b!it to t&e!, een t&o*g& *n(illingl" at $irst+ A
%a" #a!e (&en poert" gaine% t&e *pper &an% an% %roe t&ose (or,!en into t&e So#ial =e!o#rati# ran,s+
On inn*!erable o##asions t&e bo*rgeoisie too, a %e$inite stan% against een t&e !ost legiti!ate &*!an %e!an%s o$ t&e
(or,ing #lasses+ T&at #on%*#t (as ill10*%ge% an% in%ee% i!!oral an% #o*l% bring no gain (&atsoeer to t&e bo*rgeois
#lass+ T&e res*lt (as t&at t&e &onest (or,!an aban%one% t&e original #on#ept o$ t&e tra%es *nion organi>ation an% (as
%ragge% into politi#s+
T&ere (ere !illions an% !illions o$ (or,!en (&o began b" being &ostile to t&e So#ial =e!o#rati# Part"C b*t t&eir
%e$en#es (ere repeate%l" stor!e% an% $inall" t&e" &a% to s*rren%er+ Ket t&is %e$eat (as %*e to t&e st*pi%it" o$ t&e
bo*rgeois parties, (&o &a% oppose% eer" so#ial %e!an% p*t $or(ar% b" t&e (or,ing #lass+ T&e s&ort1sig&te% re$*sal to
!a,e an e$$ort to(ar%s i!proing labo*r #on%itions, t&e re$*sal to a%opt !eas*res (&i#& (o*l% ins*re t&e (or,!an in
#ase o$ a##i%ents in t&e $a#tories, t&e re$*sal to $orbi% #&il% labo*r, t&e re$*sal to #onsi%er prote#tie !eas*res $or $e!ale
(or,ers, espe#iall" e5pe#tant !ot&ers 1 all t&is (as o$ assistan#e to t&e So#ial =e!o#rati# lea%ers, (&o (ere t&an,$*l $or
eer" opport*nit" (&i#& t&e" #o*l% e5ploit $or $or#ing t&e !asses into t&eir net+ O*r bo*rgeois parties #an neer repair t&e
%a!age t&at res*lte% $ro! t&e !ista,e t&e" t&en !a%e+ For t&e" so(e% t&e see%s o$ &atre% (&en t&e" oppose% all e$$orts at
so#ial re$or!+ An% t&*s t&e" gae, at least, apparent gro*n%s to 0*sti$" t&e #lai! p*t $or(ar% b" t&e So#ial =e!o#rats 1
na!el", t&at t&e" alone stan% *p $or t&e interests o$ t&e (or,ing #lass+
An% t&is be#a!e t&e prin#ipal gro*n% $or t&e !oral 0*sti$i#ation o$ t&e a#t*al e5isten#e o$ t&e Tra%es Unions, so t&at t&e
labo*r organi>ation be#a!e $ro! t&at ti!e on(ar%s t&e #&ie$ politi#al re#r*iting gro*n% to s(ell t&e ran,s o$ t&e So#ial
=e!o#rati# Part"+
3&ile t&*s st*%"ing t&e so#ial #on%itions aro*n% !e I (as $or#e%, (&et&er I li,e% it or not, to %e#i%e on t&e attit*%e I
s&o*l% ta,e to(ar%s t&e Tra%es Unions+ 8e#a*se I loo,e% *pon t&e! as inseparable $ro! t&e So#ial =e!o#rati# Part", !"
%e#ision (as &ast" 1 an% !ista,en+ I rep*%iate% t&e! as a !atter o$ #o*rse+ 8*t on t&is essential /*estion also Fate
interene% an% gae !e a lesson, (it& t&e res*lt t&at I #&ange% t&e opinion (&i#& I &a% $irst $or!e%+
3&en I (as t(ent" "ears ol% I &a% learne% to %isting*is& bet(een t&e Tra%es Union as a !eans o$ %e$en%ing t&e so#ial
rig&ts o$ t&e e!plo"ees an% $ig&ting $or better liing #on%itions $or t&e! an%, on t&e ot&er &an%, t&e Tra%es Union as a
politi#al instr*!ent *se% b" t&e Part" in t&e #lass str*ggle+
T&e So#ial =e!o#rats *n%erstoo% t&e enor!o*s i!portan#e o$ t&e Tra%es Union !oe!ent+ T&e" appropriate% it as an
instr*!ent an% *se% it (it& s*##ess, (&ile t&e bo*rgeois parties $aile% to *n%erstan% it an% t&*s lost t&eir politi#al prestige+
T&e" t&o*g&t t&at t&eir o(n arrogant Beto (o*l% arrest t&e logi#al %eelop!ent o$ t&e !oe!ent an% $or#e it into an
illogi#al position+ 8*t it is abs*r% an% also *ntr*e to sa" t&at t&e Tra%es Union !oe!ent is in itsel$ &ostile to t&e nation+
T&e opposite is t&e !ore #orre#t ie(+ I$ t&e a#tiities o$ t&e Tra%es Union are %ire#te% to(ar%s i!proing t&e #on%ition o$
a #lass, an% s*##ee% in %oing so, s*#& a#tiities are not against t&e Fat&erlan% or t&e State b*t are, in t&e tr*est sense o$ t&e
(or%, national+ In t&at (a" t&e tra%es *nion organi>ation &elps to #reate t&e so#ial #on%itions (&i#& are in%ispensable in a
general s"ste! o$ national e%*#ation+ It %eseres &ig& re#ognition (&en it %estro"s t&e ps"#&ologi#al an% p&"si#al ger!s
o$ so#ial %isease an% t&*s $osters t&e general (el$are o$ t&e nation+
It is s*per$l*o*s to as, (&et&er t&e Tra%es Union is in%ispensable+
So long as t&ere are e!plo"ers (&o atta#, so#ial *n%erstan%ing an% &ae (rong i%eas o$ 0*sti#e an% $air pla" it is not onl"
t&e rig&t b*t also t&e %*t" o$ t&eir e!plo"ees 1 (&o are, a$ter all, an integral part o$ o*r people 1 to prote#t t&e general
interests against t&e gree% an% *nreason o$ t&e in%ii%*al+ For to sa$eg*ar% t&e lo"alt" an% #on$i%en#e o$ t&e people is as
!*#& in t&e interests o$ t&e nation as to sa$eg*ar% p*bli# &ealt&+
8ot& are serio*sl" !ena#e% b" %is&ono*rable e!plo"ers (&o are not #ons#io*s o$ t&eir %*t" as !e!bers o$ t&e national
#o!!*nit"+ T&eir personal ai%it" or irresponsibilit" so(s t&e see%s o$ $*t*re tro*ble+ To eli!inate t&e #a*ses o$ s*#& a
%eelop!ent is an a#tion t&at s*rel" %eseres (ell o$ t&e #o*ntr"+
It !*st not be ans(ere% &ere t&at t&e in%ii%*al (or,!an is $ree at an" ti!e to es#ape $ro! t&e #onse/*en#es o$ an
in0*sti#e (&i#& &e &as a#t*all" s*$$ere% at t&e &an%s o$ an e!plo"er, or (&i#& &e t&in,s &e &as s*$$ere% 1 in ot&er (or%s,
&e #an leae+ .o+ T&at arg*!ent is onl" a r*se to %etra#t attention $ro! t&e /*estion at iss*e+ Is it, or is it not, in t&e
interests o$ t&e nation to re!oe t&e #a*ses o$ so#ial *nrest@ I$ it is, t&en t&e $ig&t !*st be #arrie% on (it& t&e onl"
(eapons t&at pro!ise s*##ess+ 8*t t&e in%ii%*al (or,!an is neer in a position to stan% *p against t&e !ig&t o$ t&e big
e!plo"erC $or t&e /*estion &ere is not one t&at #on#erns t&e tri*!p& o$ rig&t+ I$ in s*#& a relation rig&t &a% been
re#ogni>e% as t&e g*i%ing prin#iple, t&en t&e #on$li#t #o*l% not &ae arisen at all+ 8*t &ere it is a /*estion o$ (&o is t&e
stronger+ I$ t&e #ase (ere ot&er(ise, t&e senti!ent o$ 0*sti#e alone (o*l% sole t&e %isp*te in an &ono*rable (a"C or, to p*t
t&e #ase !ore #orre#tl", !atters (o*l% not &ae #o!e to s*#& a %isp*te at all+
.o+ I$ *nso#ial an% %is&ono*rable treat!ent o$ !en proo,es resistan#e, t&en t&e stronger part" #an i!pose its %e#ision in
t&e #on$li#t *ntil t&e #onstit*tional legislatie a*t&orities %o a(a" (it& t&e eil t&ro*g& legislation+ T&ere$ore it is ei%ent
t&at i$ t&e in%ii%*al (or,!an is to &ae an" #&an#e at all o$ (inning t&ro*g& in t&e str*ggle &e !*st be gro*pe% (it& &is
$ello( (or,!en an% present a *nite% $ront be$ore t&e in%ii%*al e!plo"er, (&o in#orporates in &is o(n person t&e !asse%
strengt& o$ t&e este% interests in t&e in%*strial or #o!!er#ial *n%erta,ing (&i#& &e #on%*#ts+
T&*s t&e tra%es *nions #an &ope to in#*l#ate an% strengt&en a sense o$ so#ial responsibilit" in (or,a%a" li$e an% open t&e
roa% to pra#ti#al res*lts+ In %oing t&is t&e" ten% to re!oe t&ose #a*ses o$ $ri#tion (&i#& are a #ontin*al so*r#e o$
%is#ontent an% #o!plaint+
8la!e $or t&e $a#t t&at t&e tra%es *nions %o not $*l$il t&is !*#&1%esire% $*n#tion !*st be lai% at t&e %oors o$ t&ose (&o
barre% t&e roa% to legislatie so#ial re$or!, or ren%ere% s*#& a re$or! ine$$e#tie b" sabotaging it t&ro*g& t&eir politi#al
in$l*en#e+
T&e politi#al bo*rgeoisie $aile% to *n%erstan% 1 or, rat&er, t&e" %i% not (is& to *n%erstan% 1 t&e i!portan#e o$ t&e tra%es
*nion !oe!ent+ T&e So#ial =e!o#rats a##or%ingl" sei>e% t&e a%antage o$$ere% t&e! b" t&is !ista,en poli#" an% too,
t&e labo*r !oe!ent *n%er t&eir e5#l*sie prote#tion, (it&o*t an" protest $ro! t&e ot&er si%e+ In t&is (a" t&e" establis&e%
$or t&e!seles a soli% b*l(ar, be&in% (&i#& t&e" #o*l% sa$el" retire (&eneer t&e str*ggle ass*!e% a #riti#al aspe#t+ T&*s
t&e gen*ine p*rpose o$ t&e !oe!ent gra%*all" $ell into obliion, an% (as repla#e% b" ne( ob0e#ties+ For t&e So#ial
=e!o#rats neer tro*ble% t&e!seles to respe#t an% *p&ol% t&e original p*rpose $or (&i#& t&e tra%e *nionist !oe!ent
(as $o*n%e%+ T&e" si!pl" too, oer t&e )oe!ent, lo#,, sto#, an% barrel, to sere t&eir o(n politi#al en%s+
3it&in a $e( %e#a%es t&e Tra%es Union )oe!ent (as trans$or!e%, b" t&e e5pert &an% o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#", $ro! an
instr*!ent (&i#& &a% been originall" $as&ione% $or t&e %e$en#e o$ &*!an rig&ts into an instr*!ent $or t&e %estr*#tion o$
t&e national e#ono!i# str*#t*re+ T&e interests o$ t&e (or,ing #lass (ere not allo(e% $or a !o!ent to #ross t&e pat& o$ t&is
p*rposeC $or in politi#s t&e appli#ation o$ e#ono!i# press*re is al(a"s possible i$ t&e one si%e be s*$$i#ientl" *ns#r*p*lo*s
an% t&e ot&er s*$$i#ientl" inert an% %o#ile+ In t&is #ase bot& #on%itions (ere $*l$ille%+
8" t&e beginning o$ t&e present #ent*r" t&e Tra%es Unionist )oe!ent &a% alrea%" #ease% to re#ogni>e t&e p*rpose $or
(&i#& it &a% been $o*n%e%+ Fro! "ear to "ear it $ell !ore an% !ore *n%er t&e politi#al #ontrol o$ t&e So#ial =e!o#rats,
*ntil it $inall" #a!e to be *se% as a battering1ra! in t&e #lass str*ggle+ T&e plan (as to s&atter, b" !eans o$ #onstantl"
repeate% blo(s, t&e e#ono!i# e%i$i#e in t&e b*il%ing o$ (&i#& so !*#& ti!e an% #are &a% been e5pen%e%+ On#e t&is
ob0e#tie &a% been rea#&e%, t&e %estr*#tion o$ t&e State (o*l% be#o!e a !atter o$ #o*rse, be#a*se t&e State (o*l% alrea%"
&ae been %eprie% o$ its e#ono!i# $o*n%ations+ Attention to t&e real interests o$ t&e (or,ing1#lasses, on t&e part o$ t&e
So#ial =e!o#rats, stea%il" %e#rease% *ntil t&e #*nning lea%ers sa( t&at it (o*l% be in t&eir i!!e%iate politi#al interests i$
t&e so#ial an% #*lt*ral %e!an%s o$ t&e broa% !asses re!aine% *n&ee%e%C $or t&ere (as a %anger t&at i$ t&ese !asses on#e
$elt #ontent t&e" #o*l% no longer be e!plo"e% as !ere passie !aterial in t&e politi#al str*ggle+
T&e gloo!" prospe#t (&i#& presente% itsel$ to t&e e"es o$ t&e #on%ottieri o$ t&e #lass (ar$are, i$ t&e %is#ontent o$ t&e
!asses (ere no longer aailable as a (ar (eapon, #reate% so !*#& an5iet" a!ong t&e! t&at t&e" s*ppresse% an% oppose%
een t&e !ost ele!entar" !eas*res o$ so#ial re$or!+ An% #on%itions (ere s*#& t&at t&ose lea%ers %i% not &ae to tro*ble
abo*t atte!pting to 0*sti$" s*#& an illogi#al poli#"+
As t&e !asses (ere ta*g&t to in#rease an% &eig&ten t&eir %e!an%s t&e possibilit" o$ satis$"ing t&e! %(in%le% an%
(&ateer a!elioratie !eas*res (ere ta,en be#a!e less an% less signi$i#antC so t&at it (as at t&at ti!e possible to
pers*a%e t&e !asses t&at t&is ri%i#*lo*s !eas*re in (&i#& t&e !ost sa#re% #lai!s o$ t&e (or,ing1#lasses (ere being
grante% represente% a %iaboli#al plan to (ea,en t&eir $ig&ting po(er in t&is eas" (a" an%, i$ possible, to paral"se it+ One
(ill not be astonis&e% at t&e s*##ess o$ t&ese allegations i$ one re!e!bers (&at a s!all !eas*re o$ t&in,ing po(er t&e
broa% !asses possess+
In t&e bo*rgeois #a!p t&ere (as &ig& in%ignation oer t&e ba% $ait& o$ t&e So#ial =e!o#rati# ta#ti#sC b*t not&ing (as
%one to %ra( a pra#ti#al #on#l*sion an% organi>e a #o*nter atta#, $ro! t&e bo*rgeois si%e+ T&e $ear o$ t&e So#ial
=e!o#rats, to i!proe t&e !iserable #on%itions o$ t&e (or,ing1#lasses o*g&t to &ae in%*#e% t&e bo*rgeois parties to
!a,e t&e !ost energeti# e$$orts in t&is %ire#tion an% t&*s snat#& $ro! t&e &an%s o$ t&e #lass1(ar$are lea%ers t&eir !ost
i!portant (eaponC b*t not&ing o$ t&is ,in% &appene%+
Instea% o$ atta#,ing t&e position o$ t&eir a%ersaries t&e bo*rgeoisie allo(e% itsel$ to be presse% an% &arrie%+ Finall" it
a%opte% !eans t&at (ere so tar%" an% so insigni$i#ant t&at t&e" (ere ine$$e#tie an% (ere rep*%iate%+ So t&e (&ole
sit*ation re!aine% 0*st as it &a% been be$ore t&e bo*rgeois interentionC b*t t&e %is#ontent &a% t&ereb" be#o!e !ore
serio*s+
'i,e a t&reatening stor!, t&e MFree Tra%es Union &oere% aboe t&e politi#al &ori>on an% aboe t&e li$e o$ ea#&
in%ii%*al+ It (as one o$ t&e !ost $rig&t$*l instr*!ents o$ terror t&at t&reatene% t&e se#*rit" an% in%epen%en#e o$ t&e
national e#ono!i# str*#t*re, t&e $o*n%ations o$ t&e State an% t&e libert" o$ t&e in%ii%*al+ Aboe all, it (as t&e MFree
Tra%es Union t&at t*rne% %e!o#ra#" into a ri%i#*lo*s an% s#orne% p&rase, ins*lte% t&e i%eal o$ libert" an% stig!ati>e%
t&at o$ $raternit" (it& t&e slogan MI$ "o* (ill not be#o!e o*r #o!ra%e (e s&all #ra#, "o*r s,*ll+
It (as t&*s t&at I t&en #a!e to ,no( t&is $rien% o$ &*!anit"+ =*ring t&e "ears t&at $ollo(e% !" ,no(le%ge o$ it be#a!e
(i%er an% %eeperC b*t I &ae neer #&ange% an"t&ing in t&at regar%+
T&e !ore I be#a!e a#/*ainte% (it& t&e e5ternal $or!s o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#", t&e greater be#a!e !" %esire to *n%erstan%
t&e inner nat*re o$ its %o#trines+
For t&is p*rpose t&e o$$i#ial literat*re o$ t&e Part" #o*l% not &elp er" !*#&+ In %is#*ssing e#ono!i# /*estions its
state!ents (ere $alse an% its proo$s *nso*n%+ In treating o$ politi#al ai!s its attit*%e (as insin#ere+ F*rt&er!ore, its
!o%ern !et&o%s o$ #&i#aner" in t&e presentation o$ its arg*!ents (ere pro$o*n%l" rep*gnant to !e+ Its $la!bo"ant
senten#es, its obs#*re an% in#o!pre&ensible p&rases, preten%e% to #ontain great t&o*g&ts, b*t t&e" (ere %eoi% o$ t&o*g&t,
an% !eaningless+ One (o*l% &ae to be a %e#a%ent 8o&e!ian in one o$ o*r !o%ern #ities in or%er to $eel at &o!e in t&at
lab"rint& o$ !ental aberration, so t&at &e !ig&t %is#oer Minti!ate e5perien#es a!i% t&e stin,ing $*!es o$ t&is literar"
=a%is!+ T&ese (riters (ere obio*sl" #o*nting on t&e proerbial &*!ilit" o$ a #ertain se#tion o$ o*r people, (&o beliee
t&at a person (&o is in#o!pre&ensible !*st be pro$o*n%l" (ise+
In #on$ronting t&e t&eoreti#al $alsit" an% abs*r%it" o$ t&at %o#trine (it& t&e realit" o$ its e5ternal !ani$estations, I
gra%*all" #a!e to &ae a #lear i%ea o$ t&e en%s at (&i#& it ai!e%+
=*ring s*#& !o!ents I &a% %ar, presenti!ents an% $eare% so!et&ing eil+ I &a% be$ore !e a tea#&ing inspire% b" egois!
an% &atre%, !at&e!ati#all" #al#*late% to (in its i#tor", b*t t&e tri*!p& o$ (&i#& (o*l% be a !ortal blo( to &*!anit"+
)ean(&ile I &a% %is#oere% t&e relations e5isting bet(een t&is %estr*#tie tea#&ing an% t&e spe#i$i# #&ara#ter o$ a people,
(&o *p to t&at ti!e &a% been to !e al!ost *n,no(n+
;no(le%ge o$ t&e -e(s is t&e onl" ,e" (&ereb" one !a" *n%erstan% t&e inner nat*re an% t&ere$ore t&e real ai!s o$ So#ial
=e!o#ra#"+
T&e !an (&o &as #o!e to ,no( t&is ra#e &as s*##ee%e% in re!oing $ro! &is e"es t&e eil t&ro*g& (&i#& &e &a% seen t&e
ai!s an% !eaning o$ &is Part" in a $alse lig&tC an% t&en, o*t o$ t&e !*r, an% $og o$ so#ial p&rases rises t&e gri!a#ing
$ig*re o$ )ar5is!+
To1%a" it is &ar% an% al!ost i!possible $or !e to sa" (&en t&e (or% M-e( $irst began to raise an" parti#*lar t&o*g&t in
!" !in%+ I %o not re!e!ber een &aing &ear% t&e (or% at &o!e %*ring !" $at&ers li$eti!e+ I$ t&is na!e (ere
!entione% in a %erogator" sense I t&in, t&e ol% gentle!an (o*l% 0*st &ae #onsi%ere% t&ose (&o *se% it in t&is (a" as
being *ne%*#ate% rea#tionaries+ In t&e #o*rse o$ &is #areer &e &a% #o!e to be !ore or less a #os!opolitan, (it& strong
ie(s on nationalis!, (&i#& &a% its e$$e#t on !e as (ell+ In s#&ool, too, I $o*n% no reason to alter t&e pi#t*re o$ t&ings I
&a% $or!e% at &o!e+
At t&e Reals#&*le I ,ne( one -e(is& bo"+ 3e (ere all on o*r g*ar% in o*r relations (it& &i!, b*t onl" be#a*se &is
reti#en#e an% #ertain a#tions o$ &is (arne% *s to be %is#reet+ 8e"on% t&at !" #o!panions an% !"sel$ $or!e% no parti#*lar
opinions in regar% to &i!+
It (as not *ntil I (as $o*rteen or $i$teen "ears ol% t&at I $re/*entl" ran *p against t&e (or% M-e(, partl" in #onne#tion (it&
politi#al #ontroersies+ T&ese re$eren#es aro*se% a slig&t aersion in !e, an% I #o*l% not aoi% an *n#o!$ortable $eeling
(&i#& al(a"s #a!e oer !e (&en I &a% to listen to religio*s %isp*tes+ 8*t at t&at ti!e I &a% no ot&er $eelings abo*t t&e
-e(is& /*estion+
T&ere (ere er" $e( -e(s in 'in>+ In t&e #o*rse o$ #ent*ries t&e -e(s (&o lie% t&ere &a% be#o!e E*ropeani>e% in
e5ternal appearan#e an% (ere so !*#& li,e ot&er &*!an beings t&at I een loo,e% *pon t&e! as Aer!ans+ T&e reason
(&" I %i% not t&en per#eie t&e abs*r%it" o$ s*#& an ill*sion (as t&at t&e onl" e5ternal !ar, (&i#& I re#ogni>e% as
%isting*is&ing t&e! $ro! *s (as t&e pra#ti#e o$ t&eir strange religion+ As I t&o*g&t t&at t&e" (ere perse#*te% on a##o*nt
o$ t&eir Fait& !" aersion to &earing re!ar,s against t&e! gre( al!ost into a $eeling o$ ab&orren#e+ I %i% not in t&e least
s*spe#t t&at t&ere #o*l% be s*#& a t&ing as a s"ste!ati# anti1Se!itis!+
T&en I #a!e to Bienna+
Con$*se% b" t&e !ass o$ i!pressions I re#eie% $ro! t&e ar#&ite#t*ral s*rro*n%ings an% %epresse% b" !" o(n tro*bles, I
%i% not at $irst %isting*is& bet(een t&e %i$$erent so#ial strata o$ (&i#& t&e pop*lation o$ t&at !a!!ot& #it" (as #o!pose%+
Alt&o*g& Bienna t&en &a% abo*t t(o &*n%re% t&o*san% -e(s a!ong its pop*lation o$ t(o !illions, I %i% not noti#e t&e!+
=*ring t&e $irst (ee,s o$ !" so0o*rn !" e"es an% !" !in% (ere *nable to #ope (it& t&e onr*s& o$ ne( i%eas an% al*es+
.ot *ntil I gra%*all" settle% %o(n to !" s*rro*n%ings, an% t&e #on$*se% pi#t*re began to gro( #learer, %i% I a#/*ire a
!ore %is#ri!inating ie( o$ !" ne( (orl%+ An% (it& t&at I #a!e *p against t&e -e(is& proble!+
I (ill not sa" t&at t&e !anner in (&i#& I $irst be#a!e a#/*ainte% (it& it (as parti#*larl" *npleasant $or !e+ In t&e -e( I
still sa( onl" a !an (&o (as o$ a %i$$erent religion, an% t&ere$ore, on gro*n%s o$ &*!an toleran#e, I (as against t&e i%ea
t&at &e s&o*l% be atta#,e% be#a*se &e &a% a %i$$erent $ait&+ An% so I #onsi%ere% t&at t&e tone a%opte% b" t&e anti1Se!iti#
Press in Bienna (as *n(ort&" o$ t&e #*lt*ral tra%itions o$ a great people+ T&e !e!or" o$ #ertain eents (&i#& &appene%
in t&e !i%%le ages #a!e into !" !in%, an% I $elt t&at I s&o*l% not li,e to see t&e! repeate%+ Aenerall" spea,ing, t&ese
anti1Se!iti# ne(spapers %i% not belong to t&e $irst ran, 1 b*t I %i% not t&en *n%erstan% t&e reason o$ t&is 1 an% so I
regar%e% t&e! !ore as t&e pro%*#ts o$ 0ealo*s" an% en" rat&er t&an t&e e5pression o$ a sin#ere, t&o*g& (rong1&ea%e%,
$eeling+
)" o(n opinions (ere #on$ir!e% b" (&at I #onsi%ere% to be t&e in$initel" !ore %igni$ie% !anner in (&i#& t&e reall" great
Press replie% to t&ose atta#,s or si!pl" ignore% t&e!, (&i#& latter see!e% to !e t&e !ost respe#table (a"+
I %iligentl" rea% (&at (as generall" #alle% t&e 3orl% Press 1 .e*e Freie Presse, 3iener Tageblatt, et#+1 an% I (as
astonis&e% b" t&e ab*n%an#e o$ in$or!ation t&e" gae t&eir rea%ers an% t&e i!partial (a" in (&i#& t&e" presente%
parti#*lar proble!s+ I appre#iate% t&eir %igni$ie% toneC b*t so!eti!es t&e $la!bo"an#" o$ t&e st"le (as *n#onin#ing, an%
I %i% not li,e it+ 8*t I attrib*te% all t&is to t&e oerpo(ering in$l*en#e o$ t&e (orl% !etropolis+
Sin#e I #onsi%ere% Bienna at t&at ti!e as s*#& a (orl% !etropolis, I t&o*g&t t&is #onstit*te% s*$$i#ient gro*n%s to e5#*se
t&ese s&ort#o!ings o$ t&e Press+ 8*t I (as $re/*entl" %isg*ste% b" t&e groelling (a" in (&i#& t&e Bienna Press pla"e%
la#,e" to t&e Co*rt+ S#ar#el" a !oe too, pla#e at t&e Ho$b*rg (&i#& (as not presente% in glori$ie% #olo*rs to t&e rea%ers+
It (as a $oolis& pra#ti#e, (&i#&, espe#iall" (&en it &a% to %o (it& MT&e 3isest )onar#& o$ all Ti!es, re!in%e% one
al!ost o$ t&e %an#e (&i#& t&e !o*ntain #o#, per$or!s at pairing ti!e to (oo &is !ate+ It (as all e!pt" nonsense+ An% I
t&o*g&t t&at s*#& a poli#" (as a stain on t&e i%eal o$ liberal %e!o#ra#"+ I t&o*g&t t&at t&is (a" o$ #*rr"ing $ao*r at t&e
Co*rt (as *n(ort&" o$ t&e people+ An% t&at (as t&e $irst blot t&at $ell on !" appre#iation o$ t&e great Bienna Press+
3&ile in Bienna I #ontin*e% to $ollo( (it& a ii% interest all t&e eents t&at (ere ta,ing pla#e in Aer!an", (&et&er
#onne#te% (it& politi#al or #*lt*ral /*estion+ I &a% a $eeling o$ pri%e an% a%!iration (&en I #o!pare% t&e rise o$ t&e
"o*ng Aer!an E!pire (it& t&e %e#line o$ t&e A*strian State+ 8*t, alt&o*g& t&e $oreign poli#" o$ t&at E!pire (as a so*r#e
o$ real pleas*re on t&e (&ole, t&e internal politi#al &appenings (ere not al(a"s so satis$a#tor"+ I %i% not approe o$ t&e
#a!paign (&i#& at t&at ti!e (as being #arrie% on against 3illia! II+ I loo,e% *pon &i! not onl" as t&e Aer!an E!peror
b*t, aboe all, as t&e #reator o$ t&e Aer!an .a"+ T&e $a#t t&at t&e E!peror (as pro&ibite% $ro! spea,ing in t&e
Rei#&stag !a%e !e er" angr", be#a*se t&e pro&ibition #a!e $ro! a si%e (&i#& in !" e"es &a% no a*t&orit" to !a,e it+
For at a single sitting t&ose sa!e parlia!entar" gan%ers %i% !ore #a#,ling toget&er t&an t&e (&ole %"nast" o$ E!perors,
#o!prising een t&e (ea,est, &a% %one in t&e #o*rse o$ #ent*ries+
It anno"e% !e to &ae to a#,no(le%ge t&at in a nation (&ere an" &al$1(itte% $ello( #o*l% #lai! $or &i!sel$ t&e rig&t to
#riti#i>e an% !ig&t een be let loose on t&e people as a M'egislator in t&e Rei#&stag, t&e bearer o$ t&e I!perial Cro(n
#o*l% be t&e s*b0e#t o$ a Mrepri!an% on t&e part o$ t&e !ost !iserable asse!bl" o$ %riellers t&at &a% eer e5iste%+
I (as een !ore %isg*ste% at t&e (a" in (&i#& t&is sa!e Bienna Press salaa!e% obse/*io*sl" be$ore t&e !eanest stee%
belonging to t&e Habsb*rg ro"al e/*ipage an% (ent o$$ into (il% e#sta#ies o$ %elig&t i$ t&e nag (agge% its tail in response+
An% at t&e sa!e ti!e t&ese ne(spapers too, *p an attit*%e o$ an5iet" in !atters t&at #on#erne% t&e Aer!an E!peror,
tr"ing to #loa, t&eir en!it" b" t&e serio*s air t&e" gae t&e!seles+ 8*t in !" e"es t&at en!it" appeare% to be onl" poorl"
#loa,e%+ .at*rall" t&e" proteste% t&at t&e" &a% no intention o$ !i5ing in Aer!an"s internal a$$airs 1 Ao% $orbi%N T&e"
preten%e% t&at b" to*#&ing a %eli#ate spot in s*#& a $rien%l" (a" t&e" (ere $*l$illing a %*t" t&at %eole% *pon t&e! b"
reason o$ t&e !*t*al allian#e bet(een t&e t(o #o*ntries an% at t&e sa!e ti!e %is#&arging t&eir obligations o$ 0o*rnalisti#
tr*t&$*lness+ Haing t&*s e5#*se% t&e!seles abo*t ten%erl" to*#&ing a sore spot, t&e" bore% (it& t&e $inger r*t&lessl" into
t&e (o*n%+
T&at sort o$ t&ing !a%e !" bloo% boil+ An% no( I began to be !ore an% !ore on !" g*ar% (&en rea%ing t&e great Bienna
Press+
I &a% to a#,no(le%ge, &o(eer, t&at on s*#& s*b0e#ts one o$ t&e anti1Se!iti# papers 1 t&e =e*ts#&e Bol,sblatt 1 a#te% !ore
%e#entl"+
3&at got still !ore on !" neres (as t&e rep*gnant !anner in (&i#& t&e big ne(spapers #*ltiate% a%!iration $or
Fran#e+ One reall" &a% to $eel as&a!e% o$ being a Aer!an (&en #on$ronte% b" t&ose !elli$l*o*s &"!ns o$ praise $or Mt&e
great #*lt*re1nation+ T&is (ret#&e% Aallo!ania !ore o$ten t&an on#e !a%e !e t&ro( a(a" one o$ t&ose M(orl%
ne(spapers+ I no( o$ten t*rne% to t&e Bol,sblatt, (&i#& (as !*#& s!aller in si>e b*t (&i#& treate% s*#& s*b0e#ts !ore
%e#entl"+ I (as not in a##or% (it& its s&arp anti1Se!iti# toneC b*t again an% again I $o*n% t&at its arg*!ents gae !e
gro*n%s $or serio*s t&o*g&t+
An"&o(, it (as as a res*lt o$ s*#& rea%ing t&at I #a!e to ,no( t&e !an an% t&e !oe!ent (&i#& t&en %eter!ine% t&e $ate
o$ Bienna+ T&ese (ere =r+ ;arl '*eger an% t&e C&ristian So#ialist )oe!ent+ At t&e ti!e I #a!e to Bienna I $elt oppose%
to bot&+ I loo,e% on t&e !an an% t&e !oe!ent as Mrea#tionar"+
8*t een an ele!entar" sense o$ 0*sti#e en$or#e% !e to #&ange !" opinion (&en I &a% t&e opport*nit" o$ ,no(ing t&e !an
an% &is (or,, an% slo(l" t&at opinion gre( into o*tspo,en a%!iration (&en I &a% better gro*n%s $or $or!ing a 0*%g!ent+
To1%a", as (ell as t&en, I &ol% =r+ ;arl '*eger as t&e !ost e!inent t"pe o$ Aer!an 8*rger!eister+ Ho( !an" pre0*%i#es
(ere t&ro(n oer t&ro*g& s*#& a #&ange in !" attit*%e to(ar%s t&e C&ristian1So#ialist )oe!entN
)" i%eas abo*t anti1Se!itis! #&ange% also in t&e #o*rse o$ ti!e, b*t t&at (as t&e #&ange (&i#& I $o*n% !ost %i$$i#*lt+ It
#ost !e a greater internal #on$li#t (it& !"sel$, an% it (as onl" a$ter a str*ggle bet(een reason an% senti!ent t&at i#tor"
began to be %e#i%e% in $ao*r o$ t&e $or!er+ T(o "ears later senti!ent rallie% to t&e si%e o$ reasons an% be#a!e a $ait&$*l
g*ar%ian an% #o*nsellor+
At t&e ti!e o$ t&is bitter str*ggle, bet(een #al! reason an% t&e senti!ents in (&i#& I &a% been bro*g&t *p, t&e lessons
t&at I learne% on t&e streets o$ Bienna ren%ere% !e inal*able assistan#e+ A ti!e #a!e (&en I no longer passe% blin%l"
along t&e street o$ t&e !ig&t" #it", as I &a% %one in t&e earl" %a"s, b*t no( (it& !" e"es open not onl" to st*%" t&e
b*il%ings b*t also t&e &*!an beings+
On#e, (&en passing t&ro*g& t&e inner Cit", I s*%%enl" en#o*ntere% a p&eno!enon in a long #a$tan an% (earing bla#,
si%e1lo#,s+ )" $irst t&o*g&t (as4 Is t&is a -e(@ T&e" #ertainl" %i% not &ae t&is appearan#e in 'in>+ I (at#&e% t&e !an
stealt&il" an% #a*tio*sl"C b*t t&e longer I ga>e% at t&e strange #o*ntenan#e an% e5a!ine% it $eat*re b" $eat*re, t&e !ore
t&e /*estion s&ape% itsel$ in !" brain4 Is t&is a Aer!an@
As (as al(a"s !" &abit (it& s*#& e5perien#es, I t*rne% to boo,s $or &elp in re!oing !" %o*bts+ For t&e $irst ti!e in !"
li$e I bo*g&t !"sel$ so!e anti1Se!iti# pa!p&lets $or a $e( pen#e+ 8*t *n$ort*natel" t&e" all began (it& t&e ass*!ption
t&at in prin#iple t&e rea%er &a% at least a #ertain %egree o$ in$or!ation on t&e -e(is& /*estion or (as een $a!iliar (it& it+
)oreoer, t&e tone o$ !ost o$ t&ese pa!p&lets (as s*#& t&at I be#a!e %o*bt$*l again, be#a*se t&e state!ents !a%e (ere
partl" s*per$i#ial an% t&e proo$s e5traor%inaril" *ns#ienti$i#+ For (ee,s, an% in%ee% $or !ont&s, I ret*rne% to !" ol% (a"
o$ t&in,ing+ T&e s*b0e#t appeare% so enor!o*s an% t&e a##*sations (ere so $ar1rea#&ing t&at I (as a$rai% o$ %ealing (it& it
*n0*stl" an% so I be#a!e again an5io*s an% *n#ertain+
.at*rall" I #o*l% no longer %o*bt t&at &ere t&ere (as not a /*estion o$ Aer!ans (&o &appene% to be o$ a %i$$erent religion
b*t rat&er t&at t&ere (as /*estion o$ an entirel" %i$$erent people+ For as soon as I began to inestigate t&e !atter an%
obsere t&e -e(s, t&en Bienna appeare% to !e in a %i$$erent lig&t+ 3&ereer I no( (ent I sa( -e(s, an% t&e !ore I sa( o$
t&e! t&e !ore stri,ingl" an% #learl" t&e" stoo% o*t as a %i$$erent people $ro! t&e ot&er #iti>ens+ Espe#iall" t&e Inner Cit"
an% t&e %istri#t nort&(ar%s $ro! t&e =an*be Canal s(ar!e% (it& a people (&o, een in o*ter appearan#e, bore no
si!ilarit" to t&e Aer!ans+
8*t an" in%e#ision (&i#& I !a" still &ae $elt abo*t t&at point (as $inall" re!oe% b" t&e a#tiities o$ a #ertain se#tion o$
t&e -e(s t&e!seles+ A great !oe!ent, #alle% Oionis!, arose a!ong t&e!+ Its ai! (as to assert t&e national #&ara#ter o$
-*%ais!, an% t&e !oe!ent (as strongl" represente% in Bienna+
To o*t(ar% appearan#es it see!e% as i$ onl" one gro*p o$ -e(s #&a!pione% t&is !oe!ent, (&ile t&e great !a0orit"
%isapproe% o$ it, or een rep*%iate% it+ 8*t an inestigation o$ t&e sit*ation s&o(e% t&at t&ose o*t(ar% appearan#es (ere
p*rposel" !islea%ing+ T&ese o*t(ar% appearan#es e!erge% $ro! a !ist o$ t&eories (&i#& &a% been pro%*#e% $or reasons
o$ e5pe%ien#", i$ not $or p*rposes o$ %o(nrig&t %e#eption+ For t&at part o$ -e(r" (&i#& (as st"le% 'iberal %i% not %iso(n
t&e Oionists as i$ t&e" (ere not !e!bers o$ t&eir ra#e b*t rat&er as brot&er -e(s (&o p*bli#l" pro$esse% t&eir $ait& in an
*npra#ti#al (a", so as to #reate a %anger $or -e(r" itsel$+
T&*s t&ere (as no real ri$t in t&eir internal soli%arit"+
T&is $i#titio*s #on$li#t bet(een t&e Oionists an% t&e 'iberal -e(s soon %isg*ste% !eC $or it (as $alse t&ro*g& an% t&ro*g&
an% in %ire#t #ontra%i#tion to t&e !oral %ignit" an% i!!a#*late #&ara#ter on (&i#& t&at ra#e &a% al(a"s pri%e% itsel$+
Cleanliness, (&et&er !oral or o$ anot&er ,in%, &a% its o(n pe#*liar !eaning $or t&ese people+ T&at t&e" (ere (ater1s&"
(as obio*s on loo,ing at t&e! an%, *n$ort*natel", er" o$ten also (&en not loo,ing at t&e! at all+ T&e o%o*r o$ t&ose
people in #a$tans o$ten *se% to !a,e !e $eel ill+ 8e"on% t&at t&ere (ere t&e *n,e!pt #lot&es an% t&e ignoble e5terior+
All t&ese %etails (ere #ertainl" not attra#tieC b*t t&e reolting $eat*re (as t&at beneat& t&eir *n#lean e5terior one
s*%%enl" per#eie% t&e !oral !il%e( o$ t&e #&osen ra#e+
3&at soon gae !e #a*se $or er" serio*s #onsi%eration (ere t&e a#tiities o$ t&e -e(s in #ertain bran#&es o$ li$e, into t&e
!"ster" o$ (&i#& I penetrate% little b" little+ 3as t&ere an" s&a%" *n%erta,ing, an" $or! o$ $o*lness, espe#iall" in #*lt*ral
li$e, in (&i#& at least one -e( %i% not parti#ipate@ On p*tting t&e probing ,ni$e #are$*ll" to t&at ,in% o$ abs#ess one
i!!e%iatel" %is#oere%, li,e a !aggot in a p*tres#ent bo%", a little -e( (&o (as o$ten blin%e% b" t&e s*%%en lig&t+
In !" e"es t&e #&arge against -*%ais! be#a!e a grae one t&e !o!ent I %is#oere% t&e -e(is& a#tiities in t&e Press, in
art, in literat*re an% t&e t&eatre+ All *n#t*o*s protests (ere no( !ore or less $*tile+ One nee%e% onl" to loo, at t&e posters
anno*n#ing t&e &i%eo*s pro%*#tions o$ t&e #ine!a an% t&eatre, an% st*%" t&e na!es o$ t&e a*t&ors (&o (ere &ig&l" la*%e%
t&ere in or%er to be#o!e per!anentl" a%a!ant on -e(is& /*estions+ Here (as a pestilen#e, a !oral pestilen#e, (it& (&i#&
t&e p*bli# (as being in$e#te%+ It (as (orse t&an t&e 8la#, Plag*e o$ long ago+ An% in (&at !ig&t" %oses t&is poison (as
!an*$a#t*re% an% %istrib*te%+ .at*rall", t&e lo(er t&e !oral an% intelle#t*al leel o$ s*#& an a*t&or o$ artisti# pro%*#ts
t&e !ore ine5&a*stible &is $e#*n%it"+ So!eti!es it (ent so $ar t&at one o$ t&ese $ello(s, a#ting li,e a se(age p*!p, (o*l%
s&oot &is $ilt& %ire#tl" in t&e $a#e o$ ot&er !e!bers o$ t&e &*!an ra#e+ In t&is #onne#tion (e !*st re!e!ber t&ere is no
li!it to t&e n*!ber o$ s*#& people+ One o*g&t to reali>e t&at $or one, Aoet&e, .at*re !a" bring into e5isten#e ten
t&o*san% s*#& %espoilers (&o a#t as t&e (orst ,in% o$ ger!1#arriers in poisoning &*!an so*ls+ It (as a terrible t&o*g&t,
an% "et it #o*l% not be aoi%e%, t&at t&e greater n*!ber o$ t&e -e(s see!e% spe#iall" %estine% b" .at*re to pla" t&is
s&a!e$*l part+
An% is it $or t&is reason t&at t&e" #an be #alle% t&e #&osen people@
I began t&en to inestigate #are$*ll" t&e na!es o$ all t&e $abri#ators o$ t&ese *n#lean pro%*#ts in p*bli# #*lt*ral li$e+ T&e
res*lt o$ t&at in/*ir" (as still !ore %is$ao*rable to t&e attit*%e (&i#& I &a% &it&erto &el% in regar% to t&e -e(s+ T&o*g&
!" $eelings !ig&t rebel a t&o*san% ti!e, reason no( &a% to %ra( its o(n #on#l*sions+
T&e $a#t t&at nine1tent&s o$ all t&e s!*tt" literat*re, artisti# tripe an% t&eatri#al banalities, &a% to be #&arge% to t&e a##o*nt
o$ people (&o $or!e% s#ar#el" one per #ent+ o$ t&e nation 1 t&at $a#t #o*l% not be gainsai%+ It (as t&ere, an% &a% to be
a%!itte%+ T&en I began to e5a!ine !" $ao*rite M3orl% Press, (it& t&at $a#t be$ore !" !in%+
T&e %eeper !" so*n%ings (ent t&e lesser gre( !" respe#t $or t&at Press (&i#& I $or!erl" a%!ire%+ Its st"le be#a!e still
!ore repellent an% I (as $or#e% to re0e#t its i%eas as entirel" s&allo( an% s*per$i#ial+ To #lai! t&at in t&e presentation o$
$a#ts an% ie(s its attit*%e (as i!partial see!e% to !e to #ontain !ore $alse&oo% t&an tr*t&+ T&e (riters (ere 1 -e(s+
T&o*san%s o$ %etails t&at I &a% s#ar#el" noti#e% be$ore see!e% to !e no( to %esere attention+ I began to grasp an%
*n%erstan% t&ings (&i#& I &a% $or!erl" loo,e% at in a %i$$erent lig&t+
I sa( t&e 'iberal poli#" o$ t&at Press in anot&er lig&t+ Its %igni$ie% tone in repl"ing to t&e atta#,s o$ its a%ersaries an% its
%ea% silen#e in ot&er #ases no( be#a!e #lear to !e as part o$ a #*nning an% %espi#able (a" o$ %e#eiing t&e rea%ers+ Its
brilliant t&eatri#al #riti#is!s al(a"s praise% t&e -e(is& a*t&ors an% its a%erse, #riti#is! (as resere% e5#l*siel" $or t&e
Aer!ans+
T&e lig&t pin1pri#,s against 3illia! II s&o(e% t&e persisten#" o$ its poli#", 0*st as %i% its s"ste!ati# #o!!en%ation o$
Fren#& #*lt*re an% #iili>ation+ T&e s*b0e#t !atter o$ t&e $e*illetons (as triial an% o$ten pornograp&i#+ T&e lang*age o$
t&is Press as a (&ole &a% t&e a##ent o$ a $oreign people+ T&e general tone (as openl" %erogator" to t&e Aer!ans an% t&is
!*st &ae been %e$initel" intentional+
3&at (ere t&e interests t&at *rge% t&e Bienna Press to a%opt s*#& a poli#"@ Or %i% t&e" %o so !erel" b" #&an#e@ In
atte!pting to $in% an ans(er to t&ose /*estions I gra%*all" be#a!e !ore an% !ore %*bio*s+
T&en so!et&ing &appene% (&i#& &elpe% !e to #o!e to an earl" %e#ision+ I began to see t&ro*g& t&e !eaning o$ a (&ole
series o$ eents t&at (ere ta,ing pla#e in ot&er bran#&es o$ Biennese li$e+ All t&ese (ere inspire% b" a general #on#ept o$
!anners an% !orals (&i#& (as openl" p*t into pra#ti#e b" a large se#tion o$ t&e -e(s an% #o*l% be establis&e% as
attrib*table to t&e!+ Here, again, t&e li$e (&i#& I obsere% on t&e streets ta*g&t !e (&at eil reall" is+
T&e part (&i#& t&e -e(s pla"e% in t&e so#ial p&eno!enon o$ prostit*tion, an% !ore espe#iall" in t&e (&ite slae tra$$i#,
#o*l% be st*%ie% &ere better t&an in an" ot&er 3est1E*ropean #it", (it& t&e possible e5#eption o$ #ertain ports in So*t&ern
Fran#e+ 3al,ing b" nig&t along t&e streets o$ t&e 'eopol%sta%t, al!ost at eer" t*rn (&et&er one (is&e% it or not, one
(itnesse% #ertain &appenings o$ (&ose e5isten#e t&e Aer!ans ,ne( not&ing *ntil t&e 3ar !a%e it possible an% in%ee%
ineitable $or t&e sol%iers to see s*#& t&ings on t&e Eastern $ront+
A #ol% s&ier ran %o(n !" spine (&en I $irst as#ertaine% t&at it (as t&e sa!e ,in% o$ #ol%1bloo%e%, t&i#,1s,inne% an%
s&a!eless -e( (&o s&o(e% &is #ons*!!ate s,ill in #on%*#ting t&at reolting e5ploitation o$ t&e %regs o$ t&e big #it"+
T&en I be#a!e $ire% (it& (rat&+
I &a% no( no !ore &esitation abo*t bringing t&e -e(is& proble! to lig&t in all its %etails+ .o+ Hen#e$ort& I (as %eter!ine%
to %o so+ 8*t as I learne% to tra#, %o(n t&e -e( in all t&e %i$$erent sp&eres o$ #*lt*ral an% artisti# li$e, an% in t&e ario*s
!ani$estations o$ t&is li$e eer"(&ere, I s*%%enl" #a!e *pon &i! in a position (&ere I &a% least e5pe#te% to $in% &i!+ I
no( reali>e% t&at t&e -e(s (ere t&e lea%ers o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#"+ In $a#e o$ t&at reelation t&e s#ales $ell $ro! !" e"es+
)" long inner str*ggle (as at an en%+
In !" relations (it& !" $ello( (or,!en I (as o$ten astonis&e% to $in% &o( easil" an% o$ten t&e" #&ange% t&eir opinions
on t&e sa!e /*estions, so!eti!es (it&in a $e( %a"s an% so!eti!es een (it&in t&e #o*rse o$ a $e( &o*rs+ I $o*n% it
%i$$i#*lt to *n%erstan% &o( !en (&o al(a"s &a% reasonable i%eas (&en t&e" spo,e as in%ii%*als (it& one anot&er
s*%%enl" lost t&is reasonableness t&e !o!ent t&e" a#te% in t&e !ass+ T&at p&eno!enon o$ten te!pte% one al!ost to
%espair+ I *se% to %isp*te (it& t&e! $or &o*rs an% (&en I s*##ee%e% in bringing t&e! to (&at I #onsi%ere% a reasonable
(a" o$ t&in,ing I re0oi#e% at !" s*##ess+ 8*t ne5t %a" I (o*l% $in% t&at it &a% been all in ain+ It (as sa%%ening to t&in, I
&a% to begin it all oer again+ 'i,e a pen%*l*! in its eternal s(a", t&e" (o*l% $all ba#, into t&eir abs*r% opinions+
I (as able to *n%erstan% t&eir position $*ll"+ T&e" (ere %issatis$ie% (it& t&eir lot an% #*rse% t&e $ate (&i#& &a% &it t&e!
so &ar%+ T&e" &ate% t&eir e!plo"ers, (&o! t&e" loo,e% *pon as t&e &eartless a%!inistrators o$ t&eir #r*el %estin"+ O$ten
t&e" *se% ab*sie lang*age against t&e p*bli# o$$i#ials, (&o! t&e" a##*se% o$ &aing no s"!pat&" (it& t&e sit*ation o$ t&e
(or,ing people+ T&e" !a%e p*bli# protests against t&e #ost o$ liing an% para%e% t&ro*g& t&e streets in %e$en#e o$ t&eir
#lai!s+ At least all t&is #o*l% be e5plaine% on reasonable gro*n%s+ 8*t (&at (as i!possible to *n%erstan% (as t&e
bo*n%less &atre% t&e" e5presse% against t&eir o(n $ello( #iti>ens, &o( t&e" %isparage% t&eir o(n nation, !o#,e% at its
greatness, reile% its &istor" an% %ragge% t&e na!es o$ its !ost ill*strio*s !en in t&e g*tter+
T&is &ostilit" to(ar%s t&eir o(n ,it& an% ,in, t&eir o(n natie lan% an% &o!e (as as irrational as it (as
in#o!pre&ensible+ It (as against .at*re+
One #o*l% #*re t&at !ala%" te!poraril", b*t onl" $or so!e %a"s or at least so!e (ee,s+ 8*t on !eeting t&ose (&o! one
beliee% to &ae been #onerte% one $o*n% t&at t&e" &a% be#o!e as t&e" (ere be$ore+ T&at !ala%" against .at*re &el%
t&e! on#e again in its #l*t#&es+
I gra%*all" %is#oere% t&at t&e So#ial =e!o#rati# Press (as pre%o!inantl" #ontrolle% b" -e(s+ 8*t I %i% not atta#& spe#ial
i!portan#e to t&is #ir#*!stan#e, $or t&e sa!e state o$ a$$airs e5iste% also in ot&er ne(spapers+ 8*t t&ere (as one stri,ing
$a#t in t&is #onne#tion+ It (as t&at t&ere (as not a single ne(spaper (it& (&i#& -e(s (ere #onne#te% t&at #o*l% be spo,en
o$ as .ational, in t&e !eaning t&at !" e%*#ation an% #oni#tions atta#&e% to t&at (or%+
)a,ing an e$$ort to oer#o!e !" nat*ral rel*#tan#e, I trie% to rea% arti#les o$ t&is nat*re p*blis&e% in t&e )ar5ist PressC
b*t in %oing so !" aersion in#rease% all t&e !ore+ An% t&en I set abo*t learning so!et&ing o$ t&e people (&o (rote an%
p*blis&e% t&is !is#&ieo*s st*$$+ Fro! t&e p*blis&er %o(n(ar%s, all o$ t&e! (ere -e(s+ I re#alle% to !in% t&e na!es o$
t&e p*bli# lea%ers o$ )ar5is!, an% t&en I reali>e% t&at !ost o$ t&e! belonge% to t&e C&osen Ra#e 1 t&e So#ial =e!o#rati#
representaties in t&e I!perial Cabinet as (ell as t&e se#retaries o$ t&e Tra%es Unions an% t&e street agitators+ Eer"(&ere
t&e sa!e sinister pi#t*re presente% itsel$+ I s&all neer $orget t&e ro( o$ na!es 1 A*sterlit>, =ai%, A%ler, Ellenbogen, an%
ot&ers+ One $a#t be#a!e /*ite ei%ent to !e+ It (as t&at t&is alien ra#e &el% in its &an%s t&e lea%ers&ip o$ t&at So#ial
=e!o#rati# Part" (it& (&ose !inor representaties I &a% been %isp*ting $or !ont&s past+ I (as &app" at last to ,no( $or
#ertain t&at t&e -e( is not a Aer!an+
T&*s I $inall" %is#oere% (&o (ere t&e eil spirits lea%ing o*r people astra"+ T&e so0o*rn in Bienna $or one "ear &a%
proe% long eno*g& to #onin#e !e t&at no (or,er is so roote% in &is pre#on#eie% notions t&at &e (ill not s*rren%er t&e!
in $a#e o$ better an% #learer arg*!ents an% e5planations+ Ara%*all" I be#a!e an e5pert in t&e %o#trine o$ t&e )ar5ists an%
*se% t&is ,no(le%ge as an instr*!ent to %rie &o!e !" o(n $ir! #oni#tions+ I (as s*##ess$*l in nearl" eer" #ase+ T&e
great !asses #an be res#*e%, b*t a lot o$ ti!e an% a large s&are o$ &*!an patien#e !*st be %eote% to s*#& (or,+
8*t a -e( #an neer be res#*e% $ro! &is $i5e% notions+
It (as t&en si!ple eno*g& to atte!pt to s&o( t&e! t&e abs*r%it" o$ t&eir tea#&ing+ 3it&in !" s!all #ir#le I tal,e% to t&e!
*ntil !" t&roat a#&e% an% !" oi#e gre( &oarse+ I beliee% t&at I #o*l% $inall" #onin#e t&e! o$ t&e %anger in&erent in t&e
)ar5ist $ollies+ 8*t I onl" a#&iee% t&e #ontrar" res*lt+ It see!e% to !e t&at i!!e%iatel" t&e %isastro*s e$$e#ts o$ t&e
)ar5ist T&eor" an% its appli#ation in pra#ti#e be#a!e ei%ent, t&e stronger be#a!e t&eir obstina#"+
T&e !ore I %ebate% (it& t&e! t&e !ore $a!iliar I be#a!e (it& t&eir arg*!entatie ta#ti#s+ At t&e o*tset t&e" #o*nte%
*pon t&e st*pi%it" o$ t&eir opponents, b*t (&en t&e" got so entangle% t&at t&e" #o*l% not $in% a (a" o*t t&e" pla"e% t&e
tri#, o$ a#ting as inno#ent si!pletons+ S&o*l% t&e" $ail, in spite o$ t&eir tri#,s o$ logi#, t&e" a#te% as i$ t&e" #o*l% not
*n%erstan% t&e #o*nter arg*!ents an% bolte% a(a" to anot&er $iel% o$ %is#*ssion+ T&e" (o*l% la" %o(n tr*is!s an%
platit*%esC an%, i$ "o* a##epte% t&ese, t&en t&e" (ere applie% to ot&er proble!s an% !atters o$ an essentiall" %i$$erent
nat*re $ro! t&e original t&e!e+ I$ "o* $a#e% t&e! (it& t&is point t&e" (o*l% es#ape again, an% "o* #o*l% not bring t&e! to
!a,e an" pre#ise state!ent+ 3&eneer one trie% to get a $ir! grip on an" o$ t&ese apostles ones &an% graspe% onl" 0ell"
an% sli!e (&i#& slippe% t&ro*g& t&e $ingers an% #o!bine% again into a soli% !ass a !o!ent a$ter(ar%s+ I$ "o*r a%ersar"
$elt $or#e% to gie in to "o*r arg*!ent, on a##o*nt o$ t&e obserers present, an% i$ "o* t&en t&o*g&t t&at at last "o* &a%
gaine% gro*n%, a s*rprise (as in store $or "o* on t&e $ollo(ing %a"+ T&e -e( (o*l% be *tterl" obliio*s to (&at &a%
&appene% t&e %a" be$ore, an% &e (o*l% start on#e again b" repeating &is $or!er abs*r%ities, as i$ not&ing &a% &appene%+
S&o*l% "o* be#o!e in%ignant an% re!in% &i! o$ "ester%a"s %e$eat, &e preten%e% astonis&!ent an% #o*l% not re!e!ber
an"t&ing, e5#ept t&at on t&e preio*s %a" &e &a% proe% t&at &is state!ents (ere #orre#t+ So!eti!es I (as %*!b$o*n%e%+ I
%o not ,no( (&at a!a>e% !e t&e !ore 1 t&e ab*n%an#e o$ t&eir erbiage or t&e art$*l (a" in (&i#& t&e" %resse% *p t&eir
$alse&oo%s+ I gra%*all" #a!e to &ate t&e!+
Ket all t&is &a% its goo% si%eC be#a*se t&e !ore I #a!e to ,no( t&e in%ii%*al lea%ers, or at least t&e propagan%ists, o$
So#ial =e!o#ra#", !" loe $or !" o(n people in#rease% #orrespon%ingl"+ Consi%ering t&e Satani# s,ill (&i#& t&ese eil
#o*nsellors %ispla"e%, &o( #o*l% t&eir *n$ort*nate i#ti!s be bla!e%@ In%ee%, I $o*n% it e5tre!el" %i$$i#*lt !"sel$ to be a
!at#& $or t&e %iale#ti#al per$i%" o$ t&at ra#e+ Ho( $*tile it (as to tr" to (in oer s*#& people (it& arg*!ent, seeing t&at
t&eir er" !o*t&s %istorte% t&e tr*t&, %iso(ning t&e er" (or%s t&e" &a% 0*st *se% an% a%opting t&e! again a $e( !o!ents
a$ter(ar%s to sere t&eir o(n en%s in t&e arg*!entN .o+ T&e !ore I #a!e to ,no( t&e -e(, t&e easier it (as to e5#*se t&e
(or,ers+
In !" opinion t&e !ost #*lpable (ere not to be $o*n% a!ong t&e (or,ers b*t rat&er a!ong t&ose (&o %i% not t&in, it
(ort& (&ile to ta,e t&e tro*ble to s"!pat&i>e (it& t&eir o(n ,ins$ol, an% gie to t&e &ar%1(or,ing son o$ t&e national
$a!il" (&at (as &is b" t&e iron logi# o$ 0*sti#e, (&ile at t&e sa!e ti!e pla#ing &is se%*#er an% #orr*pter against t&e (all+
Urge% b" !" o(n %ail" e5perien#es, I no( began to inestigate !ore t&oro*g&l" t&e so*r#es o$ t&e )ar5ist tea#&ing itsel$+
Its e$$e#ts (ere (ell ,no(n to !e in %etail+ As a res*lt o$ #are$*l obseration, its %ail" progress &a% be#o!e obio*s to !e+
An% one nee%e% onl" a little i!agination in or%er to be able to $ore#ast t&e #onse/*en#es (&i#& !*st res*lt $ro! it+ T&e
onl" /*estion no( (as4 =i% t&e $o*n%ers $oresee t&e e$$e#ts o$ t&eir (or, in t&e $or! (&i#& t&ose e$$e#ts &ae s&o(n
t&e!seles to1%a", or (ere t&e $o*n%ers t&e!seles t&e i#ti!s o$ an error@ To !" !in% bot& alternaties (ere possible+
I$ t&e se#on% /*estion !*st be ans(ere% in t&e a$$ir!atie, t&en it (as t&e %*t" o$ eer" t&in,ing person to oppose t&is
sinister !oe!ent (it& a ie( to preenting it $ro! pro%*#ing its (orst res*lts+ 8*t i$ t&e $irst /*estion !*st be ans(ere%
in t&e a$$ir!atie, t&en it !*st be a%!itte% t&at t&e original a*t&ors o$ t&is eil (&i#& &as in$e#te% t&e nations (ere %eils
in#arnate+ For onl" in t&e brain o$ a !onster, an% not t&at o$ a !an, #o*l% t&e plan o$ t&is organi>ation ta,e s&ape (&ose
(or,ings !*st $inall" bring abo*t t&e #ollapse o$ &*!an #iili>ation an% t*rn t&is (orl% into a %esert (aste+
S*#& being t&e #ase t&e onl" alternatie le$t (as to $ig&t, an% in t&at $ig&t to e!plo" all t&e (eapons (&i#& t&e &*!an
spirit an% intelle#t an% (ill #o*l% $*rnis& leaing it to Fate to %e#i%e in (&ose $ao*r t&e balan#e s&o*l% $all+
An% so I began to gat&er in$or!ation abo*t t&e a*t&ors o$ t&is tea#&ing, (it& a ie( to st*%"ing t&e prin#iples o$ t&e
!oe!ent+ T&e $a#t t&at I attaine% !" ob0e#t sooner t&an I #o*l% &ae anti#ipate% (as %*e to t&e %eeper insig&t into t&e
-e(is& /*estion (&i#& I t&en gaine%, !" ,no(le%ge o$ t&is /*estion being &it&erto rat&er s*per$i#ial+ T&is ne(l" a#/*ire%
,no(le%ge alone enable% !e to !a,e a pra#ti#al #o!parison bet(een t&e real #ontent an% t&e t&eoreti#al pretentio*sness
o$ t&e tea#&ing lai% %o(n b" t&e apostoli# $o*n%ers o$ So#ial =e!o#ra#"C be#a*se I no( *n%erstoo% t&e lang*age o$ t&e
-e(+ I reali>e% t&at t&e -e( *ses lang*age $or t&e p*rpose o$ %issi!*lating &is t&o*g&t or at least eiling it, so t&at &is real
ai! #annot be %is#oere% b" (&at &e sa"s b*t rat&er b" rea%ing bet(een t&e lines+ T&is ,no(le%ge (as t&e o##asion o$ t&e
greatest inner reol*tion t&at I &a% "et e5perien#e%+ Fro! being a so$t1&earte% #os!opolitan I be#a!e an o*t1an%1o*t anti1
Se!ite+
Onl" on one $*rt&er o##asion, an% t&at $or t&e last ti!e, %i% I gie (a" to oppressing t&o*g&ts (&i#& #a*se% !e so!e
!o!ents o$ pro$o*n% an5iet"+
As I #riti#all" reie(e% t&e a#tiities o$ t&e -e(is& people t&ro*g&o*t long perio%s o$ &istor" I be#a!e an5io*s an% as,e%
!"sel$ (&et&er $or so!e ins#r*table reasons be"on% t&e #o!pre&ension o$ poor !ortals s*#& as o*rseles, =estin" !a"
not &ae irreo#abl" %e#ree% t&at t&e $inal i#tor" !*st go to t&is s!all nation@ )a" it not be t&at t&is people (&i#& &as
lie% onl" $or t&e eart& &as been pro!ise% t&e eart& as a re#o!pense@ is o*r rig&t to str*ggle $or o*r o(n sel$1preseration
base% on realit", or is it a !erel" s*b0e#tie t&ing@ Fate ans(ere% t&e /*estion $or !e inas!*#& as it le% !e to !a,e a
%eta#&e% an% e5&a*stie in/*ir" into t&e )ar5ist tea#&ing an% t&e a#tiities o$ t&e -e(is& people in #onne#tion (it& it+
T&e -e(is& %o#trine o$ )ar5is! rep*%iates t&e aristo#rati# prin#iple o$ .at*re an% s*bstit*tes $or it t&e eternal priilege o$
$or#e an% energ", n*!eri#al !ass an% its %ea% (eig&t+ T&*s it %enies t&e in%ii%*al (ort& o$ t&e &*!an personalit",
i!p*gns t&e tea#&ing t&at nation&oo% an% ra#e &ae a pri!ar" signi$i#an#e, an% b" %oing t&is it ta,es a(a" t&e er"
$o*n%ations o$ &*!an e5isten#e an% &*!an #iili>ation+ I$ t&e )ar5ist tea#&ing (ere to be a##epte% as t&e $o*n%ation o$
t&e li$e o$ t&e *nierse, it (o*l% lea% to t&e %isappearan#e o$ all or%er t&at is #on#eiable to t&e &*!an !in%+ An% t&*s t&e
a%option o$ s*#& a la( (o*l% proo,e #&aos in t&e str*#t*re o$ t&e greatest organis! t&at (e ,no(, (it& t&e res*lt t&at t&e
in&abitants o$ t&is eart&l" planet (o*l% $inall" %isappear+
S&o*l% t&e -e(, (it& t&e ai% o$ &is )ar5ist #ree%, tri*!p& oer t&e people o$ t&is (orl%, &is Cro(n (ill be t&e $*neral
(reat& o$ !an,in%, an% t&is planet (ill on#e again $ollo( its orbit t&ro*g& et&er, (it&o*t an" &*!an li$e on its s*r$a#e, as
it %i% !illions o$ "ears ago+
An% so I beliee to1%a" t&at !" #on%*#t is in a##or%an#e (it& t&e (ill o$ t&e Al!ig&t" Creator+ In stan%ing g*ar% against
t&e -e( I a! %e$en%ing t&e &an%i(or, o$ t&e 'or%+
C&apter T&ree
Aenerall" spea,ing a !an s&o*l% not p*bli#l" ta,e part in politi#s be$ore &e &as rea#&e% t&e age o$ t&irt", t&o*g&, o$
#o*rse, e5#eptions !*st be !a%e in t&e #ase o$ t&ose (&o are nat*rall" gi$te% (it& e5traor%inar" politi#al abilities+ T&at at
least is !" opinion to1%a"+ An% t&e reason $or it is t&at *ntil &e rea#&es &is t&irtiet& "ear or t&ereabo*ts a !ans !ental
%eelop!ent (ill !ostl" #onsist in a#/*iring an% si$ting s*#& ,no(le%ge as is ne#essar" $or t&e gro*n%(or, o$ a general
plat$or! $ro! (&i#& &e #an e5a!ine t&e %i$$erent politi#al proble!s t&at arise $ro! %a" to %a" an% be able to a%opt a
%e$inite attit*%e to(ar%s ea#&+ A !an !*st $irst a#/*ire a $*n% o$ general i%eas an% $it t&e! toget&er so as to $or! an
organi# str*#t*re o$ personal t&o*g&t or o*tloo, on li$e 1 a 3eltans#&&a**ng+ T&en &e (ill &ae t&at !ental e/*ip!ent
(it&o*t (&i#& &e #annot $or! &is o(n 0*%g!ents on parti#*lar /*estions o$ t&e %a", an% &e (ill &ae a#/*ire% t&ose
/*alities t&at are ne#essar" $or #onsisten#" an% stea%$astness in t&e $or!ation o$ politi#al opinions+ S*#& a !an is no(
/*ali$ie%, at least s*b0e#tiel", to ta,e &is part in t&e politi#al #on%*#t o$ p*bli# a$$airs+
I$ t&ese pre1re/*isite #on%itions are not $*l$ille%, an% i$ a !an s&o*l% enter politi#al li$e (it&o*t t&is e/*ip!ent, &e (ill
r*n a t(o$ol% ris,+ In t&e $irst pla#e, &e !a" $in% %*ring t&e #o*rse o$ eents t&at t&e stan% (&i#& &e originall" too, in
regar% to so!e essential /*estion (as (rong+ He (ill no( &ae to aban%on &is $or!er position or else sti#, to it against
&is better ,no(le%ge an% riper (is%o! an% a$ter &is reason an% #oni#tions &ae alrea%" proe% it *ntenable+ I$ &e a%opt
t&e $or!er line o$ a#tion &e (ill $in% &i!sel$ in a %i$$i#*lt personal sit*ationC be#a*se in giing *p a position &it&erto
!aintaine% &e (ill appear in#onsistent an% (ill &ae no rig&t to e5pe#t &is $ollo(ers to re!ain as lo"al to &is lea%ers&ip as
t&e" (ere be$ore+ An%, as regar%s t&e $ollo(ers t&e!seles, t&e" !a" easil" loo, *pon t&eir lea%ers #&ange o$ poli#" as
s&o(ing a la#, o$ 0*%g!ent in&erent in &is #&ara#ter+ )oreoer, t&e #&ange !*st #a*se in t&e! a #ertain $eeling o$
%is#o!$it*re is1R1is t&ose (&o! t&e lea%er $or!erl" oppose%+
I$ &e a%opts t&e se#on% alternatie 1 (&i#& so er" $re/*entl" &appens to1%a" 1 t&en p*bli# prono*n#e!ents o$ t&e lea%er
&ae no longer &is personal pers*asion to s*pport t&e!+ An% t&e !ore t&at is t&e #ase t&e %e$en#e o$ &is #a*se (ill be all
t&e !ore &ollo( an% s*per$i#ial+ He no( %es#en%s to t&e a%option o$ *lgar !eans in &is %e$en#e+ 3&ile &e &i!sel$ no
longer %rea!s serio*sl" o$ stan%ing b" &is politi#al protestations to t&e last 1 $or no !an (ill %ie in %e$en#e o$ so!et&ing
in (&i#& &e %oes not beliee 1 &e !a,es in#reasing %e!an%s on &is $ollo(ers+ In%ee%, t&e greater be t&e !eas*re o$ &is
o(n insin#erit", t&e !ore *n$ort*nate an% in#onsi%erate be#o!e &is #lai!s on &is part" a%&erents+ Finall", &e t&ro(s asi%e
t&e last estiges o$ tr*e lea%ers&ip an% begins to pla" politi#s+ T&is !eans t&at &e be#o!es one o$ t&ose (&ose onl"
#onsisten#" is t&eir in#onsisten#", asso#iate% (it& oerbearing insolen#e an% o$tenti!es an art$*l !en%a#it" %eelope% to a
s&a!elessl" &ig& %egree+
S&o*l% s*#& a person, to t&e !is$ort*ne o$ all %e#ent people, s*##ee% in be#o!ing a parlia!entar" %ep*t" it (ill be #lear
$ro! t&e o*tset t&at $or &i! t&e essen#e o$ politi#al a#tiit" #onsists in a &eroi# str*ggle to ,eep per!anent &ol% on t&is
!il,1bottle as a so*r#e o$ lieli&oo% $or &i!sel$ an% &is $a!il"+ T&e !ore &is (i$e an% #&il%ren are %epen%ent on &i!, t&e
!ore st*bbornl" (ill &e $ig&t to !aintain $or &i!sel$ t&e representation o$ &is parlia!entar" #onstit*en#"+ For t&at reason
an" ot&er person (&o gies ei%en#e o$ politi#al #apa#it" is &is personal ene!"+ In eer" ne( !oe!ent &e (ill appre&en%
t&e possible beginning o$ &is o(n %o(n$all+ An% eer"one (&o is a better !an t&an &i!sel$ (ill appear to &i! in t&e lig&t
o$ a !ena#e+
I s&all s*bse/*entl" %eal !ore $*ll" (it& t&e proble! to (&i#& t&is ,in% o$ parlia!entar" er!in gie rise+
3&en a !an &as rea#&e% &is t&irtiet& "ear &e &as still a great %eal to learn+ T&at is obio*s+ 8*t &en#e$or(ar% (&at &e
learns (ill prin#ipall" be an a!pli$i#ation o$ &is basi# i%easC it (ill be $itte% in (it& t&e! organi#all" so as to $ill *p t&e
$ra!e(or, o$ t&e $*n%a!ental 3eltans#&&a**ng (&i#& &e alrea%" possesses+ 3&at &e learns ane( (ill not i!pl" t&e
aban%on!ent o$ prin#iples alrea%" &el%, b*t rat&er a %eeper ,no(le%ge o$ t&ose prin#iples+ An% t&*s &is #olleag*es (ill
neer &ae t&e %is#o!$orting $eeling t&at t&e" &ae been &it&erto $alsel" le% b" &i!+ On t&e #ontrar", t&eir #on$i%en#e is
in#rease% (&en t&e" per#eie t&at t&eir lea%ers /*alities are stea%il" %eeloping along t&e lines o$ an organi# gro(t&
(&i#& res*lts $ro! t&e #onstant assi!ilation o$ ne( i%easC so t&at t&e $ollo(ers loo, *pon t&is pro#ess as signi$"ing an
enri#&!ent o$ t&e %o#trines in (&i#& t&e" t&e!seles beliee, in t&eir e"es eer" s*#& %eelop!ent is a ne( (itness to t&e
#orre#tness o$ t&at (&ole bo%" o$ opinion (&i#& &as &it&erto been &el%+
A lea%er (&o &as to aban%on t&e plat$or! $o*n%e% on &is general prin#iples, be#a*se &e re#ogni>es t&e $o*n%ation as
$alse, #an a#t (it& &ono*r onl" (&en &e %e#lares &is rea%iness to a##ept t&e $inal #onse/*en#es o$ &is erroneo*s ie(s+ In
s*#& a #ase &e o*g&t to re$rain $ro! ta,ing p*bli# part in an" $*rt&er politi#al a#tiit"+ Haing on#e gone astra" on
essential t&ings &e !a" possibl" go astra" a se#on% ti!e+ 8*t, an"&o(, &e &as no rig&t (&atsoeer to e5pe#t or %e!an%
t&at &is $ello( #iti>ens s&o*l% #ontin*e to gie &i! t&eir s*pport+
Ho( little s*#& a line o$ #on%*#t #o!!en%s itsel$ to o*r p*bli# lea%ers no(a%a"s is proe% b" t&e general #orr*ption
prealent a!ong t&e #abal (&i#& at t&e present !o!ent $eels itsel$ #alle% to politi#al lea%ers&ip+ In t&e (&ole #abal t&ere
is s#ar#el" one (&o is properl" e/*ippe% $or t&is tas,+
Alt&o*g& in t&ose %a"s I *se% to gie !ore ti!e t&an !ost ot&ers to t&e #onsi%eration o$ politi#al /*estion, "et I #are$*ll"
re$raine% $ro! ta,ing an open part in politi#s+ Onl" to a s!all #ir#le %i% I spea, o$ t&ose t&ings (&i#& agitate% !" !in% or
(ere t&e #a*se o$ #onstant preo##*pation $or !e+ T&e &abit o$ %is#*ssing !atters (it&in s*#& a restri#te% gro*p &a% !an"
a%antages in itsel$+ Rat&er t&an tal, at t&e!, I learne% to $eel !" (a" into t&e !o%es o$ t&o*g&t an% ie(s o$ t&ose !en
aro*n% !e+ O$tenti!es s*#& (a"s o$ t&in,ing an% s*#& ie(s (ere /*ite pri!itie+ T&*s I too, eer" possible o##asion to
in#rease !" ,no(le%ge o$ !en+
.o(&ere a!ong t&e Aer!an people (as t&e opport*nit" $or !a,ing s*#& a st*%" so $ao*rable as in Bienna+
In t&e ol% =an*bian )onar#&" politi#al t&o*g&t (as (i%er in its range an% &a% a ri#&er ariet" o$ interests t&an in t&e
Aer!an" o$ t&at epo#& 1 e5#epting #ertain parts o$ Pr*ssia, Ha!b*rg an% t&e %istri#ts bor%ering on t&e .ort& Sea+ 3&en I
spea, o$ A*stria &ere I !ean t&at part o$ t&e great Habsb*rg E!pire (&i#&, b" reason o$ its Aer!an pop*lation, $*rnis&e%
not onl" t&e &istori# basis $or t&e $or!ation o$ t&is State b*t (&ose pop*lation (as $or seeral #ent*ries also t&e e5#l*sie
so*r#e o$ #*lt*ral li$e in t&at politi#al s"ste! (&ose str*#t*re (as so arti$i#ial+ As ti!e (ent on t&e stabilit" o$ t&e
A*strian State an% t&e g*arantee o$ its #ontin*e% e5isten#e %epen%e% !ore an% !ore on t&e !aintenan#e o$ t&is ger!1#ell
o$ t&at Habsb*rg E!pire+
T&e &ere%itar" i!perial proin#es #onstit*te% t&e &eart o$ t&e E!pire+ An% it (as t&is &eart t&at #onstantl" sent t&e bloo%
o$ li$e p*lsating t&ro*g& t&e (&ole politi#al an% #*lt*ral s"ste!+ Correspon%ing to t&e &eart o$ t&e E!pire, Bienna
signi$ie% t&e brain an% t&e (ill+ At t&at ti!e Bienna presente% an appearan#e (&i#& !a%e one t&in, o$ &er as an
ent&rone% /*een (&ose a*t&oritatie s(a" *nite% t&e #onglo!eration o$ &eterogeno*s nationalities t&at lie% *n%er t&e
Habsb*rg s#eptre+ T&e ra%iant bea*t" o$ t&e #apital #it" !a%e one $orget t&e sa% s"!pto!s o$ senile %e#a" (&i#& t&e State
!ani$este% as a (&ole+
T&o*g& t&e E!pire (as internall" ri#,et" be#a*se o$ t&e terri$i# #on$li#t going on bet(een t&e ario*s nationalities, t&e
o*tsi%e (orl% 1 an% Aer!an" in parti#*lar 1 sa( onl" t&at loel" pi#t*re o$ t&e #it"+ T&e ill*sion (as all t&e greater
be#a*se at t&at ti!e Bienna see!e% to &ae risen to its &ig&est pit#& o$ splen%o*r+ Un%er a )a"or, (&o &a% t&e tr*e sta!p
o$ a%!inistratie geni*s, t&e enerable resi%ential Cit" o$ t&e E!perors o$ t&e ol% E!pire see!e% to &ae t&e glor" o$ its
"o*t& rene(e%+ T&e last great Aer!an (&o sprang $ro! t&e ran,s o$ t&e people t&at &a% #oloni>e% t&e East )ar, (as not
a Mstates!an, in t&e o$$i#ial sense+ T&is =r+ '*egar, &o(eer, in &is rSle as )a"or o$ Mt&e I!perial Capital an% Resi%ential
Cit", &a% a#&iee% so !*#& in al!ost all sp&eres o$ !*ni#ipal a#tiit", (&et&er e#ono!i# or #*lt*ral, t&at t&e &eart o$ t&e
(&ole E!pire t&robbe% (it& rene(e% igo*r+ He t&*s proe% &i!sel$ a !*#& greater states!an t&an t&e so1#alle%
M%iplo!ats o$ t&at perio%+
T&e $a#t t&at t&is politi#al s"ste! o$ &eterogeneo*s ra#es #alle% A*stria, $inall" bro,e %o(n is no ei%en#e (&atsoeer o$
politi#al in#apa#it" on t&e part o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent in t&e ol% East )ar,+ T&e #ollapse (as t&e ineitable res*lt o$ an
i!possible sit*ation+ Ten !illion people #annot per!anentl" &ol% toget&er a State o$ $i$t" !illions, #o!pose% o$ %i$$erent
an% #oni#ting nationalities, *nless #ertain %e$inite pre1re/*isite #on%itions are at &an% (&ile t&ere is still ti!e to aail o$
t&e!+
T&e Aer!an1A*strian &a% er" big (a"s o$ t&in,ing+ A##*sto!e% to lie in a great E!pire, &e &a% a ,een sense o$ t&e
obligations in#*!bent on &i! in s*#& a sit*ation+ He (as t&e onl" !e!ber o$ t&e A*strian State (&o loo,e% be"on% t&e
bor%ers o$ t&e narro( lan%s belonging to t&e Cro(n an% too, in all t&e $rontiers o$ t&e E!pire in t&e s(eep o$ &is !in%+
In%ee% (&en %estin" seere% &i! $ro! t&e #o!!on Fat&erlan% &e trie% to !aster t&e tre!en%o*s tas, (&i#& (as set
be$ore &i! as a #onse/*en#e+ T&is tas, (as to !aintain $or t&e Aer!an1A*strians t&at patri!on" (&i#&, t&ro*g&
inn*!erable str*ggles, t&eir an#estors &a% originall" (reste% $ro! t&e East+ It !*st be re!e!bere% t&at t&e Aer!an1
A*strians #o*l% not p*t t&eir *n%ii%e% strengt& into t&is e$$ort, be#a*se t&e &earts an% !in%s o$ t&e best a!ong t&e!
(ere #onstantl" t*rning ba#, to(ar%s t&eir ,ins$ol, in t&e )ot&erlan%, so t&at onl" a $ra#tion o$ t&eir energ" re!aine% to
be e!plo"e% at &o!e+
T&e !ental &ori>on o$ t&e Aer!an1A*strian (as #o!paratiel" broa%+ His #o!!er#ial interests #o!prise% al!ost eer"
se#tion o$ t&e &eterogeneo*s E!pire+ T&e #on%*#t o$ al!ost all i!portant *n%erta,ings (as in &is &an%s+ He proi%e% t&e
State, $or t&e !ost part, (it& its lea%ing te#&ni#al e5perts an% #iil serants+ He (as responsible $or #arr"ing on t&e
$oreign tra%e o$ t&e #o*ntr", as $ar as t&at sp&ere o$ a#tiit" (as not *n%er -e(is& #ontrol, T&e Aer!an1A*strian
e5#l*siel" represente% t&e politi#al #e!ent t&at &el% t&e State toget&er+ His !ilitar" %*ties #arrie% &i! $ar be"on% t&e
narro( $rontiers o$ &is &o!elan%+ T&o*g& t&e re#r*it !ig&t 0oin a regi!ent !a%e *p o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent, t&e regi!ent
itsel$ !ig&t be statione% in Her>egoina as (ell as in Bienna or Aali#ia+ T&e o$$i#ers in t&e Habsb*rg ar!ies (ere still
Aer!ans an% so (as t&e pre%o!inating ele!ent in t&e &ig&er bran#&es o$ t&e #iil seri#e+ Art an% s#ien#e (ere in
Aer!an &an%s+ Apart $ro! t&e ne( artisti# tras&, (&i#& !ig&t easil" &ae been pro%*#e% b" a negro tribe, all gen*ine
artisti# inspiration #a!e $ro! t&e Aer!an se#tion o$ t&e pop*lation+ In !*si#, ar#&ite#t*re, s#*lpt*re an% painting, Bienna
ab*n%antl" s*pplie% t&e entire =*al )onar#&"+ An% t&e so*r#e neer see!e% to s&o( signs o$ a possible e5&a*stion+
Finall", it (as t&e Aer!an ele!ent t&at %eter!ine% t&e #on%*#t o$ $oreign poli#", t&o*g& a s!all n*!ber o$ H*ngarians
(ere also a#tie in t&at $iel%+
All e$$orts, &o(eer, to sae t&e *nit" o$ t&e State (ere %oo!e% to en% in $ail*re, be#a*se t&e essential pre1re/*isites (ere
!issing+
T&ere (as onl" one possible (a" to #ontrol an% &ol% in #&e#, t&e #entri$*gal $or#es o$ t&e %i$$erent an% %i$$ering
nationalities+ T&is (a" (as4 to goern t&e A*strian State an% organi>e it internall" on t&e prin#iple o$ #entrali>ation+ In no
ot&er (a" i!aginable #o*l% t&e e5isten#e o$ t&at State be ass*re%+
.o( an% again t&ere (ere l*#i% interals in t&e &ig&er r*ling /*arters (&en t&is tr*t& (as re#ogni>e%+ 8*t it (as soon
$orgotten again, or else %eliberatel" ignore%, be#a*se o$ t&e %i$$i#*lties to be oer#o!e in p*tting it into pra#ti#e+ Eer"
pro0e#t (&i#& ai!e% at giing t&e E!pire a !ore $e%eral s&ape (as bo*n% to be ine$$e#tie be#a*se t&ere (as no strong
#entral a*t&orit" (&i#& #o*l% e5er#ise s*$$i#ient po(er (it&in t&e State to &ol% t&e $e%eral ele!ents toget&er+ It !*st be
re!e!bere% in t&is #onne#tion t&at #on%itions in A*stria (ere /*ite %i$$erent $ro! t&ose (&i#& #&ara#teri>e% t&e Aer!an
State as $o*n%e% b" 8is!ar#,+ Aer!an" (as $a#e% (it& onl" one %i$$i#*lt", (&i#& (as t&at o$ trans$or!ing t&e p*rel"
politi#al tra%itions, be#a*se t&ro*g&o*t t&e (&ole o$ 8is!ar#,s Aer!an" t&ere (as a #o!!on #*lt*ral basis+ T&e Aer!an
E!pire #ontaine% onl" !e!bers o$ one an% t&e sa!e ra#ial or national sto#,, (it& t&e e5#eption o$ a $e( !inor $oreign
$rag!ents+
=e!ograp&i# #on%itions in A*stria (ere /*ite t&e reerse+ 3it& t&e e5#eption o$ H*ngar" t&ere (as no politi#al tra%ition,
#o!ing %o(n $ro! a great past, in an" o$ t&e ario*s a$$iliate% #o*ntries+ I$ t&ere &a% been, ti!e &a% eit&er (ipe% o*t all
tra#es o$ it, or at least, ren%ere% t&e! obs#*re+ )oreoer, t&is (as t&e epo#& (&en t&e prin#iple o$ nationalit" began to be
in as#en%antC an% t&at p&eno!enon a(a,ene% t&e national instin#ts in t&e ario*s #o*ntries a$$iliate% *n%er t&e Habsb*rg
s#eptre+ It (as %i$$i#*lt to #ontrol t&e a#tion o$ t&ese ne(l" a(a,ene% national $or#esC be#a*se, a%0a#ent to t&e $rontiers o$
t&e =*al )onar#&", ne( national States (ere springing *p (&ose people (ere o$ t&e sa!e or ,in%re% ra#ial sto#, as t&e
respe#tie nationalities t&at #onstit*te% t&e Habsb*rg E!pire+ T&ese ne( States (ere able to e5er#ise a greater in$l*en#e
t&an t&e Aer!an ele!ent+
Een Bienna #o*l% not &ol% o*t $or a lengt&" perio% in t&is #on$li#t+ 3&en 8*%apest &a% %eelope% into a !etropolis a
rial &a% gro(n *p (&ose !ission (as, not to &elp in &ol%ing toget&er t&e ario*s %iergent parts o$ t&e E!pire, b*t
rat&er to strengt&en one part+ 3it&in a s&ort ti!e Prag*e $ollo(e% t&e e5a!ple o$ 8*%apestC an% later on #a!e 'e!berg,
'aiba#& an% ot&ers+ 8" raising t&ese pla#es (&i#& &a% $or!erl" been proin#ial to(ns to t&e ran, o$ national #ities,
rall"ing #entres (ere proi%e% $or an in%epen%ent #*lt*ral li$e+ T&ro*g& t&is t&e lo#al national instin#ts a#/*ire% a
spirit*al $o*n%ation an% t&ere(it& gaine% a !ore pro$o*n% &ol% on t&e people+ T&e ti!e (as bo*n% to #o!e (&en t&e
parti#*larist interests o$ t&ose ario*s #o*ntries (o*l% be#o!e stronger t&an t&eir #o!!on i!perial interests+ On#e t&at
stage &a% been rea#&e%, A*strias %oo! (as seale%+
T&e #o*rse o$ t&is %eelop!ent (as #learl" per#eptible sin#e t&e %eat& o$ -osep& II+ Its rapi%it" %epen%e% on a n*!ber o$
$a#tors, so!e o$ (&i#& &a% t&eir so*r#e in t&e )onar#&" itsel$C (&ile ot&ers res*lte% $ro! t&e position (&i#& t&e E!pire
&a% ta,en in $oreign politi#s+
It (as i!possible to !a,e an"t&ing li,e a s*##ess$*l e$$ort $or t&e per!anent #onsoli%ation o$ t&e A*strian State *nless a
$ir! an% persistent poli#" o$ #entrali>ation (ere p*t into $or#e+ 8e$ore eer"t&ing else t&e prin#iple s&o*l% &ae been
a%opte% t&at onl" one #o!!on lang*age #o*l% be *se% as t&e o$$i#ial lang*age o$ t&e State+ T&*s it (o*l% be possible to
e!p&asi>e t&e $or!al *nit" o$ t&at i!perial #o!!on(ealt&+ An% t&*s t&e a%!inistration (o*l% &ae in its &an%s a
te#&ni#al instr*!ent (it&o*t (&i#& t&e State #o*l% not en%*re as a politi#al *nit"+ In t&e sa!e (a" t&e s#&ool an% ot&er
$or!s o$ e%*#ation s&o*l% &ae been *se% to in#*l#ate a $eeling o$ #o!!on #iti>ens&ip+ S*#& an ob0e#tie #o*l% not be
rea#&e% (it&in ten or t(ent" "ears+ T&e e$$ort (o*l% &ae to be enisage% in ter!s o$ #ent*riesC 0*st as in all proble!s o$
#oloni>ation, stea%" perseeran#e is a $ar !ore i!portant ele!ent t&an t&e o*tp*t o$ energeti# e$$ort at t&e !o!ent+
It goes (it&o*t sa"ing t&at in s*#& #ir#*!stan#es t&e #o*ntr" !*st be goerne% an% a%!inistere% b" stri#tl" a%&ering to
t&e prin#iple o$ *ni$or!it"+
For !e it (as /*ite instr*#tie to %is#oer (&" t&is %i% not ta,e pla#e, or rat&er (&" it (as not %one+ T&ose (&o (ere
g*ilt" o$ t&e o!ission !*st be &el% responsible $or t&e brea,1*p o$ t&e Habsb*rg E!pire+
)ore t&an an" ot&er State, t&e e5isten#e o$ t&e ol% A*stria %epen%e% on a strong an% #apable Aoern!ent+ T&e Habsb*rg
E!pire la#,e% et&ni#al *ni$or!it", (&i#& #onstit*tes t&e $*n%a!ental basis o$ a national State an% (ill presere t&e
e5isten#e o$ s*#& a State een t&o*g& t&e r*ling po(er s&o*l% be grossl" ine$$i#ient+ 3&en a State is #o!pose% o$ a
&o!ogeneo*s pop*lation, t&e nat*ral inertia o$ s*#& a pop*lation (ill &ol% t&e Stage toget&er an% !aintain its e5isten#e
t&ro*g& astonis&ingl" long perio%s o$ !isgoern!ent an% !ala%!inistration+ It !a" o$ten see! as i$ t&e prin#iple o$ li$e
&a% %ie% o*t in s*#& a bo%"1politi#C b*t a ti!e #o!es (&en t&e apparent #orpse rises *p an% %ispla"s be$ore t&e (orl% an
astonis&ing !ani$estation o$ its in%estr*#tible italit"+
8*t t&e sit*ation is *tterl" %i$$erent in a #o*ntr" (&ere t&e pop*lation is not &o!ogeneo*s, (&ere t&ere is no bon% o$
#o!!on bloo% b*t onl" t&at o$ one r*ling &an%+ S&o*l% t&e r*ling &an% s&o( signs o$ (ea,ness in s*#& a State t&e res*lt
(ill not be to #a*se a ,in% o$ &ibernation o$ t&e State b*t rat&er to a(a,en t&e in%ii%*alist instin#ts (&i#& are sl*!bering
in t&e et&nologi#al gro*ps+ T&ese instin#ts %o not !a,e t&e!seles $elt as long as t&ese gro*ps are %o!inate% b" a strong
#entral (ill1to1goern+ T&e %anger (&i#& e5ists in t&ese sl*!bering separatist instin#ts #an be ren%ere% !ore or less
inno#*o*s onl" t&ro*g& #ent*ries o$ #o!!on e%*#ation, #o!!on tra%itions an% #o!!on interests+ T&e "o*nger s*#&
States are, t&e !ore t&eir e5isten#e (ill %epen% on t&e abilit" an% strengt& o$ t&e #entral goern!ent+ I$ t&eir $o*n%ation
(as %*e onl" to t&e (or, o$ a strong personalit" or a lea%er (&o is a !an o$ geni*s, in !an" #ases t&e" (ill brea, *p as
soon as t&e $o*n%er %isappearsC be#a*se, t&o*g& great, &e stoo% alone+ 8*t een a$ter #ent*ries o$ a #o!!on e%*#ation an%
e5perien#es t&ese separatist instin#ts I &ae spo,en o$ are not al(a"s #o!pletel" oer#o!e+ T&e" !a" be onl" %or!ant an%
!a" s*%%enl" a(a,en (&en t&e #entral goern!ent s&o(s (ea,ness an% t&e $or#e o$ a #o!!on e%*#ation as (ell as t&e
prestige o$ a #o!!on tra%ition proe *nable to (it&stan% t&e ital energies o$ separatist nationalities $orging a&ea%
to(ar%s t&e s&aping o$ t&eir o(n in%ii%*al e5isten#e+
T&e $ail*re to see t&e tr*t& o$ all t&is #onstit*te% (&at !a" be #alle% t&e tragi# #ri!e o$ t&e Habsb*rg r*lers+
Onl" be$ore t&e e"es o$ one Habsb*rg r*ler, an% t&at $or t&e last ti!e, %i% t&e &an% o$ =estin" &ol% alo$t t&e tor#& t&at
t&re( lig&t on t&e $*t*re o$ &is #o*ntr"+ 8*t t&e tor#& (as t&en e5ting*is&e% $or eer+
-osep& II, Ro!an E!peror o$ t&e Aer!an nation, (as $ille% (it& a gro(ing an5iet" (&en &e reali>e% t&e $a#t t&at &is
Ho*se (as re!oe% to an o*tl"ing $rontier o$ &is E!pire an% t&at t&e ti!e (o*l% soon be at &an% (&en it (o*l% be
oert*rne% an% eng*l$e% in t&e (&irlpool #a*se% b" t&at 8ab"lon o$ nationalities, *nless so!et&ing (as %one at t&e
eleent& &o*r to oer#o!e t&e %ire #onse/*en#es res*lting $ro! t&e negligen#e o$ &is an#estors+ 3it& s*per&*!an energ"
t&is MFrien% o$ )an,in% !a%e eer" possible e$$ort to #o*ntera#t t&e e$$e#ts o$ t&e #arelessness an% t&o*g&tlessness o$ &is
pre%e#essors+ 3it&in one %e#a%e &e stroe to repair t&e %a!age t&at &a% been %one t&ro*g& #ent*ries+ I$ =estin" &a% onl"
grante% &i! $ort" "ears $or &is labo*rs, an% i$ onl" t(o generations &a% #arrie% on t&e (or, (&i#& &e &a% starte%, t&e
!ira#le !ig&t &ae been per$or!e%+ 8*t (&en &e %ie%, bro,en in bo%" an% spirit a$ter ten "ears o$ r*lers&ip, &is (or,
san, (it& &i! into t&e grae an% rests (it& &i! t&ere in t&e Cap*#in Cr"pt, sleeping its eternal sleep, &aing neer again
s&o(e% signs o$ a(a,ening+
His s*##essors &a% neit&er t&e abilit" nor t&e (ill1po(er ne#essar" $or t&e tas, t&e" &a% to $a#e+
3&en t&e $irst signs o$ a ne( reol*tionar" epo#& appeare% in E*rope t&e" gra%*all" s#attere% t&e $ire t&ro*g&o*t A*stria+
An% (&en t&e $ire began to glo( stea%il" it (as $e% an% $anne% not b" t&e so#ial or politi#al #on%itions b*t b" $or#es t&at
&a% t&eir origin in t&e nationalist "earnings o$ t&e ario*s et&ni# gro*ps+
T&e E*ropean reol*tionar" !oe!ent o$ 1949 pri!aril" too, t&e $or! o$ a #lass #on$li#t in al!ost eer" ot&er #o*ntr",
b*t in A*stria it too, t&e $or! o$ a ne( ra#ial str*ggle+ In so $ar as t&e Aer!an1A*strians t&ere $orgot t&e origins o$ t&e
!oe!ent, or per&aps &a% $aile% to re#ogni>e t&e! at t&e start an% #onse/*entl" too, part in t&e reol*tionar" *prising,
t&e" seale% t&eir o(n $ate+ For t&e" t&*s &elpe% to a(a,en t&e spirit o$ 3estern =e!o#ra#" (&i#&, (it&in a s&ort (&ile,
s&attere% t&e $o*n%ations o$ t&eir o(n e5isten#e+
T&e setting *p o$ a representatie parlia!entar" bo%", (it&o*t insisting on t&e preli!inar" t&at onl" one lang*age s&o*l%
be *se% in all p*bli# inter#o*rse *n%er t&e State, (as t&e $irst great blo( to t&e pre%o!inan#e o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent in
t&e =*al )onar#&"+ Fro! t&at !o!ent t&e State (as also %oo!e% to #ollapse sooner or later+ All t&at $ollo(e% (as
not&ing b*t t&e &istori#al li/*i%ation o$ an E!pire+
To (at#& t&at pro#ess o$ progressie %isintegration (as a tragi# an% at t&e sa!e ti!e an instr*#tie e5perien#e+ T&e
e5e#*tion o$ &istor"s %e#ree (as #arrie% o*t in t&o*san%s o$ %etails+ T&e $a#t t&at great n*!bers o$ people (ent abo*t
blin%$ol%e% a!i% t&e !ani$est signs o$ %issol*tion onl" proes t&at t&e go%s &a% %e#ree% t&e %estr*#tion o$ A*stria+
I %o not (is& to %(ell on %etails be#a*se t&at (o*l% lie o*tsi%e t&e s#ope o$ t&is boo,+ I (ant to treat in %etail onl" t&ose
eents (&i#& are t"pi#al a!ong t&e #a*ses t&at lea% to t&e %e#line o$ nations an% States an% (&i#& are t&ere$ore o$
i!portan#e to o*r present age+ )oreoer, t&e st*%" o$ t&ese eents &elpe% to $*rnis& t&e basis o$ !" o(n politi#al o*tloo,+
A!ong t&e instit*tions (&i#& !ost #learl" !ani$este% *n!ista,able signs o$ %e#a", een to t&e (ea,1sig&te% P&ilistine,
(as t&at (&i#&, o$ all t&e instit*tions o$ State, o*g&t to &ae been t&e !ost $ir!l" $o*n%e% 1 I !ean t&e Parlia!ent, or t&e
Rei#&srat FI!perial Co*n#ilG as it (as #alle% in A*stria+
T&e pattern $or t&is #orporate bo%" (as obio*sl" t&at (&i#& e5iste% in Englan%, t&e lan% o$ #lassi# %e!o#ra#"+ T&e (&ole
o$ t&at e5#ellent organi>ation (as bo%il" trans$erre% to A*stria (it& as little alteration as possible+
As t&e A*strian #o*nterpart to t&e 8ritis& t(o1#&a!ber s"ste! a C&a!ber o$ =ep*ties an% a Ho*se o$ 'or%s FHerren&a*sG
(ere establis&e% in Bienna+ T&e Ho*ses t&e!seles, #onsi%ere% as b*il%ings (ere so!e(&at %i$$erent+ 3&en 8arr" b*ilt
&is pala#es, or, as (e sa" t&e Ho*ses o$ Parlia!ent, on t&e s&ore o$ t&e T&a!es, &e #o*l% loo, to t&e &istor" o$ t&e 8ritis&
E!pire $or t&e inspiration o$ &is (or,+ In t&at &istor" &e $o*n% s*$$i#ient !aterial to $ill an% %e#orate t&e 1,277 ni#&es,
bra#,ets, an% pillars o$ &is !agni$i#ent e%i$i#e+ His stat*es an% paintings !a%e t&e Ho*se o$ 'or%s an% t&e Ho*se o$
Co!!ons te!ples %e%i#ate% to t&e glor" o$ t&e nation+
T&ere it (as t&at Bienna en#o*ntere% t&e $irst %i$$i#*lt"+ 3&en Hansen, t&e =anis& ar#&ite#t, &a% #o!plete% t&e last gable
o$ t&e !arble pala#e in (&i#& t&e ne( bo%" o$ pop*lar representaties (as to be &o*se% &e &a% to t*rn to t&e an#ient
#lassi#al (orl% $or s*b0e#ts to $ill o*t &is %e#oratie plan+ T&is t&eatri#al s&rine o$ M3estern =e!o#ra#" (as a%orne% (it&
t&e stat*es an% portraits o$ Aree, an% Ro!an states!en an% p&ilosop&ers+ As i$ it (ere !eant $or a s"!bol o$ iron", t&e
&orses o$ t&e /*a%riga t&at s*r!o*nts t&e t(o Ho*ses are p*lling apart $ro! one anot&er to(ar%s all $o*r /*arters o$ t&e
globe+ T&ere #o*l% be no better s"!bol $or t&e ,in% o$ a#tiit" going on (it&in t&e (alls o$ t&at sa!e b*il%ing+
T&e Mnationalities (ere oppose% to an" ,in% o$ glori$i#ation o$ A*strian &istor" in t&e %e#oration o$ t&is b*il%ing, insisting
t&at s*#& (o*l% #onstit*te an o$$en#e to t&e! an% a proo#ation+ )*#& t&e sa!e &appene% in Aer!an", (&ere t&e Rei#&1
stag, b*ilt b" 3allot, (as not %e%i#ate% to t&e Aer!an people *ntil t&e #annons (ere t&*n%ering in t&e 3orl% 3ar+ An%
t&en it (as %e%i#ate% b" an ins#ription+
I (as not "et t(ent" "ears o$ age (&en I $irst entere% t&e Pala#e on t&e Fran>ens1ring to (at#& an% listen in t&e C&a!ber
o$ =ep*ties+ T&at $irst e5perien#e aro*se% in !e a pro$o*n% $eeling o$ rep*gnan#e+
I &a% al(a"s &ate% t&e Parlia!ent, b*t not as an instit*tion in itsel$+ P*ite t&e #ontrar"+ As one (&o #&eris&e% i%eals o$
politi#al $ree%o! I #o*l% not een i!agine an" ot&er $or! o$ goern!ent+ In t&e lig&t o$ !" attit*%e to(ar%s t&e Ho*se o$
Habsb*rg I s&o*l% t&en &ae #onsi%ere% it a #ri!e against libert" an% reason to t&in, o$ an" ,in% o$ %i#tators&ip as a
possible $or! o$ goern!ent+
A #ertain a%!iration (&i#& I &a% $or t&e 8ritis& Parlia!ent #ontrib*te% to(ar%s t&e $or!ation o$ t&is opinion+ I be#a!e
i!b*e% (it& t&at $eeling o$ a%!iration al!ost (it&o*t !" being #ons#io*s o$ t&e e$$e#t o$ it t&ro*g& so !*#& rea%ing o$
ne(spapers (&ile I (as "et /*ite "o*ng+ I #o*l% not %is#ar% t&at a%!iration all in a !o!ent+ T&e %igni$ie% (a" in (&i#&
t&e 8ritis& Ho*se o$ Co!!ons $*l$ille% its $*n#tion i!presse% !e greatl", t&an,s largel" to t&e glo(ing ter!s in (&i#&
t&e A*strian Press reporte% t&ese eents+ I *se% to as, !"sel$ (&et&er t&ere #o*l% be an" nobler $or! o$ goern!ent t&an
sel$1goern!ent b" t&e people+
8*t t&ese #onsi%erations $*rnis&e% t&e er" !oties o$ !" &ostilit" to t&e A*strian Parlia!ent+ T&e $or! in (&i#&
parlia!entar" goern!ent (as &ere represente% see!e% *n(ort&" o$ its great protot"pe+ T&e $ollo(ing #onsi%erations also
in$l*en#e% !" attit*%e4
T&e $ate o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent in t&e A*strian State %epen%e% on its position in Parlia!ent+ Up to t&e ti!e t&at *niersal
s*$$rage b" se#ret ballot (as intro%*#e% t&e Aer!an representaties &a% a !a0orit" in t&e Parlia!ent, t&o*g& t&at !a0orit"
(as not a er" s*bstantial one+ T&is sit*ation gae #a*se $or an5iet" be#a*se t&e So#ial1=e!o#rati# $ra#tion o$ t&e Aer!an
ele!ent #o*l% not be relie% *pon (&en national /*estions (ere at sta,e+ In !atters t&at (ere o$ #riti#al #on#ern $or t&e
Aer!an ele!ent, t&e So#ial1=e!o#rats al(a"s too, *p an anti1Aer!an stan% be#a*se t&e" (ere a$rai% o$ losing t&eir
$ollo(ers a!ong t&e ot&er national gro*ps+ Alrea%" at t&at ti!e 1 be$ore t&e intro%*#tion o$ *niersal s*$$rage 1 t&e So#ial1
=e!o#rati# Part" #o*l% no longer be #onsi%ere% as a Aer!an Part"+ T&e intro%*#tion o$ *niersal s*$$rage p*t an en% een
to t&e p*rel" n*!eri#al pre%o!inan#e o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent+ T&e (a" (as no( #lear $or t&e $*rt&er M%e1Aer!ani>ation
o$ t&e A*strian State+
T&e national instin#t o$ sel$1preseration !a%e it i!possible $or !e to (el#o!e a representatie s"ste! in (&i#& t&e
Aer!an ele!ent (as not reall" represente% as s*#&, b*t al(a"s betra"e% b" t&e So#ial1=e!o#rati# $ra#tion+ Ket all t&ese,
an% !an" ot&ers, (ere %e$e#ts (&i#& #o*l% not be attrib*te% to t&e parlia!entar" s"ste! as s*#&, b*t rat&er to t&e A*strian
State in parti#*lar+ I still beliee% t&at i$ t&e Aer!an !a0orit" #o*l% be restore% in t&e representatie bo%" t&ere (o*l% be
no o##asion to oppose s*#& a s"ste! as long as t&e ol% A*strian State #ontin*e% to e5ist+
S*#& (as !" general attit*%e at t&e ti!e (&en I $irst entere% t&ose sa#re% an% #ontentio*s &alls+ For !e t&e" (ere sa#re%
onl" be#a*se o$ t&e ra%iant bea*t" o$ t&at !a0esti# e%i$i#e+ A Aree, (on%er on Aer!an soil+
8*t I soon be#a!e enrage% b" t&e &i%eo*s spe#ta#le t&at !et !" e"es+ Seeral &*n%re% representaties (ere t&ere to
%is#*ss a proble! o$ great e#ono!i#al i!portan#e an% ea#& representatie &a% t&e rig&t to &ae &is sa"+
T&at e5perien#e o$ a %a" (as eno*g& to s*ppl" !e (it& $oo% $or t&o*g&t %*ring seeral (ee,s a$ter(ar%s+
T&e intelle#t*al leel o$ t&e %ebate (as /*ite lo(+ So!e ti!es t&e %ebaters %i% not !a,e t&e!seles intelligible at all+
Seeral o$ t&ose present %i% not spea, Aer!an b*t onl" t&eir Sla erna#*lars or %iale#ts+ T&*s I &a% t&e opport*nit" o$
&earing (it& !" o(n ears (&at I &a% been &it&erto a#/*ainte% (it& onl" t&ro*g& rea%ing t&e ne(spapers+ A t*rb*lent
!ass o$ people, all gesti#*lating an% ba(ling against one anot&er, (it& a pat&eti# ol% !an s&a,ing &is bell an% !a,ing
$ranti# e$$orts to #all t&e Ho*se to a sense o$ its %ignit" b" $rien%l" appeals, e5&ortations, an% grae (arnings+
I #o*l% not re$rain $ro! la*g&ing+
Seeral (ee,s later I pai% a se#on% isit+ T&is ti!e t&e Ho*se presente% an entirel" %i$$erent pi#t*re, so !*#& so t&at one
#o*l% &ar%l" re#ogni>e it as t&e sa!e pla#e+ T&e &all (as pra#ti#all" e!pt"+ T&e" (ere sleeping in t&e ot&er roo!s belo(+
Onl" a $e( %ep*ties (ere in t&eir pla#es, "a(ning in ea#& ot&ers $a#es+ One (as spee#&i$"ing+ A %ep*t" spea,er (as in
t&e #&air+ 3&en &e loo,e% ro*n% it (as /*ite plain t&at &e $elt bore%+
T&en I began to re$le#t serio*sl" on t&e (&ole t&ing+ I (ent to t&e Parlia!ent (&eneer I &a% an" ti!e to spare an%
(at#&e% t&e spe#ta#le silentl" b*t attentiel"+ I listene% to t&e %ebates, as $ar as t&e" #o*l% be *n%erstoo%, an% I st*%ie% t&e
!ore or less intelligent $eat*res o$ t&ose Mele#t representaties o$ t&e ario*s nationalities (&i#& #o!pose% t&at !otle"
State+ Ara%*all" I $or!e% !" o(n i%eas abo*t (&at I sa(+
A "ear o$ s*#& /*iet obseration (as s*$$i#ient to trans$or! or #o!pletel" %estro" !" $or!er #oni#tions as to t&e
#&ara#ter o$ t&is parlia!entar" instit*tion+ I no longer oppose% !erel" t&e pererte% $or! (&i#& t&e prin#iple o$
parlia!entar" representation &a% ass*!e% in A*stria+ .o+ It &a% be#o!e i!possible $or !e to a##ept t&e s"ste! in itsel$+
Up to t&at ti!e I &a% beliee% t&at t&e %isastro*s %e$i#ien#ies o$ t&e A*strian Parlia!ent (ere %*e to t&e la#, o$ a Aer!an
!a0orit", b*t no( I re#ogni>e% t&at t&e instit*tion itsel$ (as (rong in its er" essen#e an% $or!+
A n*!ber o$ proble!s presente% t&e!seles be$ore !" !in%+ I st*%ie% !ore #losel" t&e %e!o#rati# prin#iple o$ M%e#ision
b" t&e !a0orit" ote, an% I s#r*tini>e% no less #are$*ll" t&e intelle#t*al an% !oral (ort& o$ t&e gentle!en (&o, as t&e
#&osen representaties o$ t&e nation, (ere entr*ste% (it& t&e tas, o$ !a,ing t&is instit*tion $*n#tion+
T&*s it &appene% t&at at one an% t&e sa!e ti!e I #a!e to ,no( t&e instit*tion itsel$ an% t&ose o$ (&o! it (as #o!pose%+
An% it (as t&*s t&at, (it&in t&e #o*rse o$ a $e( "ears, I #a!e to $or! a #lear an% ii% pi#t*re o$ t&e aerage t"pe o$ t&at
!ost lig&tl" (ors&ippe% p&eno!enon o$ o*r ti!e 1 t&e parlia!entar" %ep*t"+ T&e pi#t*re o$ &i! (&i#& I t&en $or!e%
be#a!e %eepl" engrae% on !" !in% an% I &ae neer altere% it sin#e, at least as $ar as essentials go+
On#e again t&ese ob0e#t1lessons ta,en $ro! real li$e sae% !e $ro! getting $ir!l" entangle% b" a t&eor" (&i#& at $irst sig&t
see!s so all*ring to !an" people, t&o*g& t&at t&eor" itsel$ is a s"!pto! o$ &*!an %e#a%en#e+
=e!o#ra#", as pra#tise% in 3estern E*rope to1%a", is t&e $ore1r*nner o$ )ar5is!+ In $a#t, t&e latter (o*l% not be
#on#eiable (it&o*t t&e $or!er+ =e!o#ra#" is t&e bree%ing1gro*n% in (&i#& t&e ba#illi o$ t&e )ar5ist (orl% pest #an gro(
an% sprea%+ 8" t&e intro%*#tion o$ parlia!entarianis!, %e!o#ra#" pro%*#e% an abortion o$ $ilt& an% $ire <G, t&e #reatie
$ire o$ (&i#&, &o(eer, see!s to &ae %ie% o*t+
I a! !ore t&an grate$*l to Fate t&at t&is proble! #a!e to !" noti#e (&en I (as still in BiennaC $or i$ I &a% been in
Aer!an" at t&at ti!e I !ig&t easil" &ae $o*n% onl" a s*per$i#ial sol*tion+ I$ I &a% been in 8erlin (&en I $irst %is#oere%
(&at an illogi#al t&ing t&is instit*tion is (&i#& (e #all Parlia!ent, I !ig&t easil" &ae gone to t&e ot&er e5tre!e an%
beliee% 1 as !an" people beliee%, an% apparentl" not (it&o*t goo% reason 1 t&at t&e salation o$ t&e people an% t&e
E!pire #o*l% be se#*re% onl" b" restrengt&ening t&e prin#iple o$ i!perial a*t&orit"+ T&ose (&o &a% t&is belie$ %i% not
%is#ern t&e ten%en#ies o$ t&eir ti!e an% (ere blin% to t&e aspirations o$ t&e people+
In A*stria one #o*l% not be so easil" !isle%+ T&ere it (as i!possible to $all $ro! one error into anot&er+ I$ t&e Parlia!ent
(ere (ort&less, t&e Habsb*rgs (ere (orseC or at least not in t&e slig&test %egree better+ T&e proble! (as not sole% b"
re0e#ting t&e parlia!entar" s"ste!+ I!!e%iatel" t&e /*estion arose4 3&at t&en@ To rep*%iate an% abolis& t&e Bienna
Parlia!ent (o*l% &ae res*lte% in leaing all po(er in t&e &an%s o$ t&e Habsb*rgs+ For !e, espe#iall", t&at i%ea (as
i!possible+
Sin#e t&is proble! (as spe#iall" %i$$i#*lt in regar% to A*stria, I (as $or#e% (&ile still /*ite "o*ng to go into t&e essentials
o$ t&e (&ole /*estion !ore t&oro*g&l" t&an I ot&er(ise s&o*l% &ae %one+
T&e aspe#t o$ t&e sit*ation t&at $irst !a%e t&e !ost stri,ing i!pression on !e an% gae !e gro*n%s $or serio*s re$le#tion
(as t&e !ani$est la#, o$ an" in%ii%*al responsibilit" in t&e representatie bo%"+
T&e parlia!ent passes so!e a#ts or %e#ree (&i#& !a" &ae t&e !ost %eastating #onse/*en#es, "et nobo%" bears t&e
responsibilit" $or it+ .obo%" #an be #alle% to a##o*nt+ For s*rel" one #annot sa" t&at a Cabinet %is#&arges its responsibilit"
(&en it retires a$ter &aing bro*g&t abo*t a #atastrop&e+ Or #an (e sa" t&at t&e responsibilit" is $*ll" %is#&arge% (&en a
ne( #oalition is $or!e% or parlia!ent %issole%@ Can t&e prin#iple o$ responsibilit" !ean an"t&ing else t&an t&e
responsibilit" o$ a %e$inite person@
Is it at all possible a#t*all" to #all to a##o*nt t&e lea%ers o$ a parlia!entar" goern!ent $or an" ,in% o$ a#tion (&i#&
originate% in t&e (is&es o$ t&e (&ole !*ltit*%e o$ %ep*ties an% (as #arrie% o*t *n%er t&eir or%ers or san#tion@ Instea% o$
%eeloping #onstr*#tie i%eas an% plans, %oes t&e b*siness o$ a states!an #onsist in t&e art o$ !a,ing a (&ole pa#, o$
blo#,&ea%s *n%erstan% &is pro0e#ts@ Is it &is b*siness to entreat an% #oa#& t&e! so t&at t&e" (ill grant &i! t&eir genero*s
#onsent@
Is it an in%ispensable /*alit" in a states!an t&at &e s&o*l% possess a gi$t o$ pers*asion #o!!ens*rate (it& t&e states!ans
abilit" to #on#eie great politi#al !eas*res an% #arr" t&e! t&ro*g& into pra#ti#e@
=oes it reall" proe t&at a states!an is in#o!petent i$ &e s&o*l% $ail to (in oer a !a0orit" o$ otes to s*pport &is poli#" in
an asse!bl" (&i#& &as been #alle% toget&er as t&e #&an#e res*lt o$ an ele#toral s"ste! t&at is not al(a"s &onestl"
a%!inistere%+
Has t&ere eer been a #ase (&ere s*#& an asse!bl" &as (ort&il" appraise% a great politi#al #on#ept be$ore t&at #on#ept (as
p*t into pra#ti#e an% its greatness openl" %e!onstrate% t&ro*g& its s*##ess@
In t&is (orl% is not t&e #reatie a#t o$ t&e geni*s al(a"s a protest against t&e inertia o$ t&e !ass@
3&at s&all t&e states!an %o i$ &e %oes not s*##ee% in #oa5ing t&e parlia!entar" !*ltit*%e to gie its #onsent to &is
poli#"@ S&all &e p*r#&ase t&at #onsent $or so!e sort o$ #onsi%eration@
Or, (&en #on$ronte% (it& t&e obstinate st*pi%it" o$ &is $ello( #iti>ens, s&o*l% &e t&en re$rain $ro! p*s&ing $or(ar% t&e
!eas*res (&i#& &e %ee!s to be o$ ital ne#essit" to t&e li$e o$ t&e nation@ S&o*l% &e retire or re!ain in po(er@
In s*#& #ir#*!stan#es %oes not a !an o$ #&ara#ter $in% &i!sel$ $a#e to $a#e (it& an insol*ble #ontra%i#tion bet(een &is
o(n politi#al insig&t on t&e one &an% an%, on t&e ot&er, &is !oral integrit", or, better still, &is sense o$ &onest"@
3&ere #an (e %ra( t&e line bet(een p*bli# %*t" an% personal &ono*r@
)*st not eer" gen*ine lea%er reno*n#e t&e i%ea o$ %egra%ing &i!sel$ to t&e leel o$ a politi#al 0obber@
An%, on t&e ot&er &an%, %oes not eer" 0obber $eel t&e it#& to Mpla" politi#s, seeing t&at t&e $inal responsibilit" (ill neer
rest (it& &i! personall" b*t (it& an anon"!o*s !ass (&i#& #an neer be #alle% to a##o*nt $or t&eir %ee%s@
)*st not o*r parlia!entar" prin#iple o$ goern!ent b" n*!eri#al !a0orit" ne#essaril" lea% to t&e %estr*#tion o$ t&e
prin#iple o$ lea%ers&ip@
=oes an"bo%" &onestl" beliee t&at &*!an progress originates in t&e #o!posite brain o$ t&e !a0orit" an% not in t&e brain
o$ t&e in%ii%*al personalit"@
Or !a" it be pres*!e% t&at $or t&e $*t*re &*!an #iili>ation (ill be able to %ispense (it& t&is as a #on%ition o$ its
e5isten#e@
8*t !a" it not be t&at, to1%a", !ore t&an eer be$ore, t&e #reatie brain o$ t&e in%ii%*al is in%ispensable@
T&e parlia!entar" prin#iple o$ esting legislatie po(er in t&e %e#ision o$ t&e !a0orit" re0e#ts t&e a*t&orit" o$ t&e
in%ii%*al an% p*ts a n*!eri#al /*ota o$ anon"!o*s &ea%s in its pla#e+ In %oing so it #ontra%i#ts t&e aristro#rati#
prin#iple, (&i#& is a $*n%a!ental la( o$ nat*reC b*t, o$ #o*rse, (e !*st re!e!ber t&at in t&is %e#a%ent era o$ o*rs t&e
aristro#rati# prin#iple nee% not be t&o*g&t o$ as in#orporate% in t&e *pper ten t&o*san%+
T&e %eastating in$l*en#e o$ t&is parlia!entar" instit*tion !ig&t not easil" be re#ogni>e% b" t&ose (&o rea% t&e -e(is&
Press, *nless t&e rea%er &as learne% &o( to t&in, in%epen%entl" an% e5a!ine t&e $a#ts $or &i!sel$+ T&is instit*tion is
pri!aril" responsible $or t&e #ro(%e% inr*s& o$ !e%io#re people into t&e $iel% o$ politi#s+ Con$ronte% (it& s*#& a
p&eno!enon, a !an (&o is en%o(e% (it& real /*alities o$ lea%ers&ip (ill be te!pte% to re$rain $ro! ta,ing part in
politi#al li$eC be#a*se *n%er t&ese #ir#*!stan#es t&e sit*ation %oes not #all $or a !an (&o &as a #apa#it" $or #onstr*#tie
states!ans&ip b*t rat&er $or a !an (&o is #apable o$ bargaining $or t&e $ao*r o$ t&e !a0orit"+ T&*s t&e sit*ation (ill
appeal to s!all !in%s an% (ill attra#t t&e! a##or%ingl"+
T&e narro(er t&e !ental o*tloo, an% t&e !ore !eagre t&e a!o*nt o$ ,no(le%ge in a politi#al 0obber, t&e !ore a##*rate is
&is esti!ate o$ &is o(n politi#al sto#,, an% t&*s &e (ill be all t&e !ore in#line% to appre#iate a s"ste! (&i#& %oes not
%e!an% #reatie geni*s or een &ig&1#lass talentC b*t rat&er t&at #ra$t" ,in% o$ saga#it" (&i#& !a,es an e$$i#ient to(n
#ler,+ In%ee%, &e al*es t&is ,in% o$ s!all #ra$tiness !ore t&an t&e politi#al geni*s o$ a Peri#les+ S*#& a !e%io#rit" %oes
not een &ae to (orr" abo*t responsibilit" $or (&at &e %oes+ Fro! t&e beginning &e ,no(s t&at (&ateer be t&e res*lts o$
&is Mstates!ans&ip &is en% is alrea%" pres#ribe% b" t&e starsC &e (ill one %a" &ae to #lear o*t an% !a,e roo! $or anot&er
(&o is o$ si!ilar !ental #alibre+ For it is anot&er sign o$ o*r %e#a%ent ti!es t&at t&e n*!ber o$ e!inent states!en gro(s
a##or%ing as t&e #alibre o$ in%ii%*al personalit" %(in%les+ T&at #alibre (ill be#o!e s!aller an% s!aller t&e !ore t&e
in%ii%*al politi#ian &as to %epen% *pon parlia!entar" !a0orities+ A !an o$ real politi#al abilit" (ill re$*se to be t&e
bea%le $or a be" o$ $ootling #a#,lersC an% t&e" in t&eir t*rn, being t&e representaties o$ t&e !a0orit" 1 (&i#& !eans t&e
%*n%er1&ea%e% !*ltit*%e 1 &ate not&ing so !*#& as a s*perior brain+
For $ootling %ep*ties it is al(a"s /*ite a #onsolation to be le% b" a person (&ose intelle#t*al stat*re is on a leel (it& t&eir
o(n+ T&*s ea#& one !a" &ae t&e opport*nit" to s&ine in %ebate a!ong s*#& #o!peers an%, aboe all, ea#& one $eels t&at
&e !a" one %a" rise to t&e top+ I$ Peter be boss to1%a", t&en (&" not Pa*l to!orro( @
T&is ne( inention o$ %e!o#ra#" is er" #losel" #onne#te% (it& a pe#*liar p&eno!enon (&i#& &as re#entl" sprea% to a
perni#io*s e5tent, na!el" t&e #o(ar%i#e o$ a large se#tion o$ o*r so1#alle% politi#al lea%ers+ 3&eneer i!portant %e#isions
&ae to be !a%e t&e" al(a"s $in% t&e!seles $ort*nate in being able to &i%e be&in% t&e ba#,s o$ (&at t&e" #all t&e
!a0orit"+
In obsering one o$ t&ese politi#al !anip*lators one noti#es &o( &e (&ee%les t&e !a0orit" in or%er to get t&eir san#tion $or
(&ateer a#tion &e ta,es+ He &as to &ae a##o!pli#es in or%er to be able to s&i$t responsibilit" to ot&er s&o*l%ers (&eneer
it is opport*ne to %o so+ T&at is t&e !ain reason (&" t&is ,in% o$ politi#al a#tiit" is ab&orrent to !en o$ #&ara#ter an%
#o*rage, (&ile at t&e sa!e ti!e it attra#ts in$erior t"pesC $or a person (&o is not (illing to a##ept responsibilit" $or &is
o(n a#tions, b*t is al(a"s see,ing to be #oere% b" so!et&ing, !*st be #lasse% a!ong t&e ,naes an% t&e ras#als+ I$ a
national lea%er s&o*l% #o!e $ro! t&at lo(er #lass o$ politi#ians t&e eil #onse/*en#es (ill soon !ani$est t&e!seles+
.obo%" (ill t&en &ae t&e #o*rage to ta,e a %e#isie step+ T&e" (ill s*b!it to ab*se an% %e$a!ation rat&er t&an pl*#, *p
#o*rage to ta,e a %e$inite stan%+ An% t&*s nobo%" is le$t (&o is (illing to ris, &is position an% &is #areer, i$ nee%s be, in
s*pport o$ a %eter!ine% line o$ poli#"+
One tr*t& (&i#& !*st al(a"s be borne in !in% is t&at t&e !a0orit" #an neer repla#e t&e !an+ T&e !a0orit" represents not
onl" ignoran#e b*t also #o(ar%i#e+ An% 0*st as a &*n%re% blo#,&ea%s %o not e/*al one !an o$ (is%o!, so a &*n%re%
poltroons are in#apable o$ an" politi#al line o$ a#tion t&at re/*ires !oral strengt& an% $ortit*%e+
T&e lig&ter t&e b*r%en o$ responsibilit" on ea#& in%ii%*al lea%er, t&e greater (ill be t&e n*!ber o$ t&ose (&o, in spite o$
t&eir sorr" !e%io#rit", (ill $eel t&e #all to pla#e t&eir i!!ortal energies at t&e %isposal o$ t&e nation+ T&e" are so !*#& on
t&e tip1toe o$ e5pe#tation t&at t&e" $in% it &ar% to (ait t&eir t*rn+ T&e" stan% in a long /*e*e, pain$*ll" an% sa%l" #o*nting
t&e n*!ber o$ t&ose a&ea% o$ t&e! an% #al#*lating t&e &o*rs *ntil t&e" !a" eent*all" #o!e $or(ar%+ T&e" (at#& eer"
#&ange t&at ta,es pla#e in t&e personnel o$ t&e o$$i#e to(ar%s (&i#& t&eir &opes are %ire#te%, an% t&e" are grate$*l $or
eer" s#an%al (&i#& re!oes one o$ t&e aspirants (aiting a&ea% o$ t&e! in t&e /*e*e+ I$ so!ebo%" sti#,s too long to &is
o$$i#e stool t&e" #onsi%er t&is as al!ost a brea#& o$ a sa#re% *n%erstan%ing base% on t&eir !*t*al soli%arit"+ T&e" gro(
$*rio*s an% gie no pea#e *ntil t&at in#onsi%erate person is $inall" %rien o*t an% $or#e% to &an% oer &is #os" bert& $or
p*bli# %isposal+ A$ter t&at &e (ill &ae little #&an#e o$ getting anot&er opport*nit"+ Us*all" t&ose pla#e!en (&o &ae been
$or#e% to gie *p t&eir posts p*s& t&e!seles again into t&e (aiting /*e*e *nless t&e" are &o*n%e% a(a" b" t&e
protestations o$ t&e ot&er aspirants+
T&e res*lt o$ all t&is is t&at, in s*#& a State, t&e s*##ession o$ s*%%en #&anges in p*bli# positions an% p*bli# o$$i#es &as a
er" %is/*ieting e$$e#t in general, (&i#& !a" easil" lea% to %isaster (&en an a%erse #risis arises+ It is not onl" t&e
ignorant an% t&e in#o!petent person (&o !a" $all i#ti! to t&ose parlia!entar" #on%itions, $or t&e gen*ine lea%er !a" be
a$$e#te% 0*st as !*#& as t&e ot&ers, i$ not !ore so, (&eneer Fate &as #&an#e% to pla#e a #apable !an in t&e position o$
lea%er+ 'et t&e s*perior /*alit" o$ s*#& a lea%er be on#e re#ogni>e% an% t&e res*lt (ill be t&at a 0oint $ront (ill be
organi>e% against &i!, parti#*larl" i$ t&at lea%er, t&o*g& not #o!ing $ro! t&eir ran,s, s&o*l% $all into t&e &abit o$
inter!ingling (it& t&ese ill*strio*s nin#o!poops on t&eir o(n leel+ T&e" (ant to &ae onl" t&eir o(n #o!pan" an% (ill
/*i#,l" ta,e a &ostile attit*%e to(ar%s an" !an (&o !ig&t s&o( &i!sel$ obio*sl" aboe an% be"on% t&e! (&en &e
!ingles in t&eir ran,s+ T&eir instin#t, (&i#& is so blin% in ot&er %ire#tions, is er" s&arp in t&is parti#*lar+
T&e ineitable res*lt is t&at t&e intelle#t*al leel o$ t&e r*ling #lass sin,s stea%il"+ One #an easil" $ore#ast &o( !*#& t&e
nation an% State are bo*n% to s*$$er $ro! s*#& a #on%ition o$ a$$airs, proi%e% one %oes not belong to t&at sa!e #lass o$
Mlea%ers+
T&e parlia!entar" rQgi!e in t&e ol% A*stria (as t&e er" ar#&et"pe o$ t&e instit*tion as I &ae %es#ribe% it+
T&o*g& t&e A*strian Pri!e )inister (as appointe% b" t&e ;ing1E!peror, t&is a#t o$ appoint!ent !erel" gae pra#ti#al
e$$e#t to t&e (ill o$ t&e parlia!ent+ T&e &*#,stering an% bargaining t&at (ent on in regar% to eer" !inisterial position
s&o(e% all t&e t"pi#al !ar,s o$ 3estern =e!o#ra#"+ T&e res*lts t&at $ollo(e% (ere in ,eeping (it& t&e prin#iples applie%+
T&e interals bet(een t&e repla#e!ent o$ one person b" anot&er gra%*all" be#a!e s&orter, $inall" en%ing *p in a (il%
rela" #&ase+ 3it& ea#& #&ange t&e /*alit" o$ t&e Mstates!an in /*estion %eteriorate%, *ntil $inall" onl" t&e pett" t"pe o$
politi#al &*#,ster re!aine%+ In s*#& people t&e /*alities o$ states!ans&ip (ere !eas*re% an% al*e% a##or%ing to t&e
a%roitness (it& (&i#& t&e" pie#e% toget&er one #oalition a$ter anot&erC in ot&er (or%s, t&eir #ra$tiness in !anip*lating t&e
pettiest politi#al transa#tions, (&i#& is t&e onl" ,in% o$ pra#ti#al a#tiit" s*ite% to t&e aptit*%es o$ t&ese representaties+
In t&is sp&ere Bienna (as t&e s#&ool (&i#& o$$ere% t&e !ost i!pressie e5a!ples+
Anot&er $eat*re t&at engage% !" attention /*ite as !*#& as t&e $eat*res I &ae alrea%" spo,en o$ (as t&e #ontrast bet(een
t&e talents an% ,no(le%ge o$ t&ese representaties o$ t&e people on t&e one &an% an%, on t&e ot&er, t&e nat*re o$ t&e tas,s
t&e" &a% to $a#e+ 3illingl" or *n(illingl", one #o*l% not &elp t&in,ing serio*sl" o$ t&e narro( intelle#t*al o*tloo, o$ t&ese
#&osen representaties o$ t&e ario*s #onstit*ent nationalities, an% one #o*l% not aoi% pon%ering on t&e !et&o%s t&ro*g&
(&i#& t&ese noble $ig*res in o*r p*bli# li$e (ere $irst %is#oere%+
It (as (ort& (&ile to !a,e a t&oro*g& st*%" an% e5a!ination o$ t&e (a" in (&i#& t&e real talents o$ t&ese gentle!en (ere
%eote% to t&e seri#e o$ t&eir #o*ntr"C in ot&er (or%s, to anal"se t&oro*g&l" t&e te#&ni#al pro#e%*re o$ t&eir a#tiities+
T&e (&ole spe#ta#le o$ parlia!entar" li$e be#a!e !ore an% !ore %esolate t&e !ore one penetrate% into its inti!ate
str*#t*re an% st*%ie% t&e persons an% prin#iples o$ t&e s"ste! in a spirit o$ r*t&less ob0e#tiit"+ In%ee%, it is er" ne#essar"
to be stri#tl" ob0e#tie in t&e st*%" o$ t&e instit*tion (&ose sponsors tal, o$ Mob0e#tiit" in eer" ot&er senten#e as t&e onl"
$air basis o$ e5a!ination an% 0*%g!ent+ I$ one st*%ie% t&ese gentle!en an% t&e la(s o$ t&eir stren*o*s e5isten#e t&e res*lts
(ere s*rprising+
T&ere is no ot&er prin#iple (&i#& t*rns o*t to be /*ite so ill1#on#eie% as t&e parlia!entar" prin#iple, i$ (e e5a!ine it
ob0e#tiel"+
In o*r e5a!ination o$ it (e !a" pass oer t&e !et&o%s a##or%ing to (&i#& t&e ele#tion o$ t&e representaties ta,es pla#e,
as (ell as t&e (a"s (&i#& bring t&e! into o$$i#e an% besto( ne( titles on t&e!+ It is /*ite ei%ent t&at onl" to a tin"
%egree are p*bli# (is&es or p*bli# ne#essities satis$ie% b" t&e !anner in (&i#& an ele#tion ta,es pla#eC $or eer"bo%" (&o
properl" esti!ates t&e politi#al intelligen#e o$ t&e !asses #an easil" see t&at t&is is not s*$$i#ientl" %eelope% to enable
t&e! to $or! general politi#al 0*%g!ents on t&eir o(n a##o*nt, or to sele#t t&e !en (&o !ig&t be #o!petent to #arr" o*t
t&eir i%eas in pra#ti#e+
3&ateer %e$inition (e !a" gie o$ t&e ter! Mp*bli# opinion, onl" a er" s!all part o$ it originates $ro! personal
e5perien#e or in%ii%*al insig&t+ T&e greater portion o$ it res*lts $ro! t&e !anner in (&i#& p*bli# !atters &ae been
presente% to t&e people t&ro*g& an oer(&el!ingl" i!pressie an% persistent s"ste! o$ Min$or!ation+
In t&e religio*s sp&ere t&e pro$ession o$ a %eno!inational belie$ is largel" t&e res*lt o$ e%*#ation, (&ile t&e religio*s
"earning itsel$ sl*!bers in t&e so*lC so too t&e politi#al opinions o$ t&e !asses are t&e $inal res*lt o$ in$l*en#es
s"ste!ati#all" operating on &*!an senti!ent an% intelligen#e in irt*e o$ a !et&o% (&i#& is applie% so!eti!es (it&
al!ost1in#re%ible t&oro*g&ness an% perseeran#e+
8" $ar t&e !ost e$$e#tie bran#& o$ politi#al e%*#ation, (&i#& in t&is #onne#tion is best e5presse% b" t&e (or%
Mpropagan%a, is #arrie% on b" t&e Press+ T&e Press is t&e #&ie$ !eans e!plo"e% in t&e pro#ess o$ politi#al Menlig&ten!ent+
It represents a ,in% o$ s#&ool $or a%*lts+ T&is e%*#ational a#tiit", &o(eer, is not in t&e &an%s o$ t&e State b*t in t&e
#l*t#&es o$ po(ers (&i#& are partl" o$ a er" in$erior #&ara#ter+ 3&ile still a "o*ng !an in Bienna I &a% e5#ellent
opport*nities $or #o!ing to ,no( t&e !en (&o o(ne% t&is !a#&ine $or !ass instr*#tion, as (ell as t&ose (&o s*pplie% it
(it& t&e i%eas it %istrib*te%+ At $irst I (as /*ite s*rprise% (&en I reali>e% &o( little ti!e (as ne#essar" $or t&is %angero*s
Areat Po(er (it&in t&e State to pro%*#e a #ertain belie$ a!ong t&e p*bli#C an% in %oing so t&e gen*ine (ill an%
#oni#tions o$ t&e p*bli# (ere o$ten #o!pletel" !is#onstr*e%+ It too, t&e Press onl" a $e( %a"s to trans$or! so!e
ri%i#*lo*sl" triial !atter into an iss*e o$ national i!portan#e, (&ile ital proble!s (ere #o!pletel" ignore% or $il#&e%
an% &i%%en a(a" $ro! p*bli# attention+
T&e Press s*##ee%e% in t&e !agi#al art o$ pro%*#ing na!es $ro! no(&ere (it&in t&e #o*rse o$ a $e( (ee,s+ T&e" !a%e it
appear t&at t&e great &opes o$ t&e !asses (ere bo*n% *p (it& t&ose na!es+ An% so t&e" !a%e t&ose na!es !ore pop*lar
t&an an" !an o$ real abilit" #o*l% eer &ope to be in a long li$eti!e+ All t&is (as %one, %espite t&e $a#t t&at s*#& na!es
(ere *tterl" *n,no(n an% in%ee% &a% neer been &ear% o$ een *p to a !ont& be$ore t&e Press p*bli#l" e!bla>one% t&e!+
At t&e sa!e ti!e ol% an% trie% $ig*res in t&e politi#al an% ot&er sp&eres o$ li$e /*i#,l" $a%e% $ro! t&e p*bli# !e!or" an%
(ere $orgotten as i$ t&e" (ere %ea%, t&o*g& still &ealt&" an% in t&e en0o"!ent o$ t&eir $*ll ig*o*r+ Or so!eti!es s*#&
!en (ere so ilel" ab*se% t&at it loo,e% as i$ t&eir na!es (o*l% soon stan% as per!anent s"!bols o$ t&e (orst ,in% o$
baseness+ In or%er to esti!ate properl" t&e reall" perni#io*s in$l*en#e (&i#& t&e Press #an e5er#ise one &a% to st*%" t&is
in$a!o*s -e(is& !et&o% (&ereb" &ono*rable an% %e#ent people (ere bes!ir#&e% (it& !*% an% $ilt&, in t&e $or! o$ lo(
ab*se an% slan%er, $ro! &*n%re%s an% &*n%re%s o$ /*arters si!*ltaneo*sl", as i$ #o!!an%e% b" so!e !agi# $or!*la+
T&ese &ig&(a" robbers (o*l% grab at an"t&ing (&i#& !ig&t sere t&eir eil en%s+
T&e" (o*l% po,e t&eir noses into t&e !ost inti!ate $a!il" a$$airs an% (o*l% not rest *ntil t&e" &a% sni$$e% o*t so!e pett"
ite! (&i#& #o*l% be *se% to %estro" t&e rep*tation o$ t&eir i#ti!+ 8*t i$ t&e res*lt o$ all t&is sni$$ing s&o*l% be t&at
not&ing %erogator" (as %is#oere% in t&e priate or p*bli# li$e o$ t&e i#ti!, t&e" #ontin*e% to &*rl ab*se at &i!, in t&e
belie$ t&at so!e o$ t&eir ani!a%ersions (o*l% sti#, een t&o*g& re$*te% a t&o*san% ti!es+ In !ost #ases it $inall" t*rne%
o*t i!possible $or t&e i#ti! to #ontin*e &is %e$en#e, be#a*se t&e a##*ser (or,e% toget&er (it& so !an" a##o!pli#es t&at
&is slan%ers (ere re1e#&oe% inter!inabl"+ 8*t t&ese slan%erers (o*l% neer o(n t&at t&e" (ere a#ting $ro! !oties (&i#&
in$l*en#e t&e #o!!on r*n o$ &*!anit" or are *n%erstoo% b" t&e!+ O&, no+ T&e s#o*n%rel (&o %e$a!e% &is
#onte!poraries in t&is illaino*s (a" (o*l% #ro(n &i!sel$ (it& a &alo o$ &eroi# probit" $as&ione% o$ *n#t*o*s
p&raseolog" an% t(a%%le abo*t &is M%*ties as a 0o*rnalist an% ot&er !o*l%" nonsense o$ t&at ,in%+ 3&en t&ese #*ttle1
$is&es gat&ere% toget&er in large s&oals at !eetings an% #ongresses t&e" (o*l% gie o*t a lot o$ sli!" tal, abo*t a spe#ial
,in% o$ &ono*r (&i#& t&e" #alle% t&e pro$essional &ono*r o$ t&e 0o*rnalist+ T&en t&e asse!ble% spe#ies (o*l% bo( t&eir
respe#ts to one anot&er+
T&ese are t&e ,in% o$ beings t&at $abri#ate !ore t&an t(o1t&ir%s o$ (&at is #alle% p*bli# opinion, $ro! t&e $oa! o$ (&i#&
t&e parlia!entar" Ap&ro%ite eent*all" arises+
Seeral ol*!es (o*l% be nee%e% i$ one (ere to gie an a%e/*ate a##o*nt o$ t&e (&ole pro#e%*re an% $*ll" %es#ribe all its
&ollo( $alla#ies+ 8*t i$ (e pass oer t&e %etails an% loo, at t&e pro%*#t itsel$ (&ile it is in operation I t&in, t&is alone (ill
be s*$$i#ient to open t&e e"es o$ een t&e !ost inno#ent an% #re%*lo*s person, so t&at &e !a" re#ogni>e t&e abs*r%it" o$
t&is instit*tion b" loo,ing at it ob0e#tiel"+
In or%er to reali>e &o( t&is &*!an aberration is as &ar!$*l as it is abs*r%, t&e test an% easiest !et&o% is to #o!pare
%e!o#rati# parlia!entarianis! (it& a gen*ine Aer!an %e!o#ra#"+
T&e re!ar,able #&ara#teristi# o$ t&e parlia!entar" $or! o$ %e!o#ra#" is t&e $a#t t&at a n*!ber o$ persons, let *s sa" $ie
&*n%re% 1 in#l*%ing, in re#ent ti!e, (o!en also 1 are ele#te% to parlia!ent an% ineste% (it& a*t&orit" to gie $inal
0*%g!ent on an"t&ing an% eer"t&ing+ In pra#ti#e t&e" alone are t&e goerning bo%"C $or alt&o*g& t&e" !a" appoint a
Cabinet, (&i#& see!s o*t(ar%l" to %ire#t t&e a$$airs o$ state, t&is Cabinet &as not a real e5isten#e o$ its o(n+ In realit" t&e
so1#alle% Aoern!ent #annot %o an"t&ing against t&e (ill o$ t&e asse!bl"+ It #an neer be #alle% to a##o*nt $or an"t&ing,
sin#e t&e rig&t o$ %e#ision is not este% in t&e Cabinet b*t in t&e parlia!entar" !a0orit"+ T&e Cabinet al(a"s $*n#tions
onl" as t&e e5e#*tor o$ t&e (ill o$ t&e !a0orit"+ Its politi#al abilit" #an be 0*%ge% onl" a##or%ing to &o( $ar it s*##ee%s in
a%0*sting itsel$ to t&e (ill o$ t&e !a0orit" or in pers*a%ing t&e !a0orit" to agree to its proposals+ 8*t t&is !eans t&at it
!*st %es#en% $ro! t&e leel o$ a real goerning po(er to t&at o$ a !en%i#ant (&o &as to beg t&e approal o$ a !a0orit"
t&at !a" be got toget&er $or t&e ti!e being+ In%ee%, t&e #&ie$ preo##*pation o$ t&e Cabinet !*st be to se#*re $or itsel$, in
t&e #ase o$ ea#& in%ii%*al !eas*re, t&e $ao*r o$ t&e !a0orit" t&en in po(er or, $ailing t&at, to $or! a ne( !a0orit" t&at
(ill be !ore $ao*rabl" %ispose%+ I$ it s&o*l% s*##ee% in eit&er o$ t&ese e$$orts it !a" go on Mgoerning $or a little (&ile+
I$ it s&o*l% $ail to (in or $or! a !a0orit" it !*st retire+ T&e /*estion (&et&er its poli#" as s*#& &as been rig&t or (rong
%oes not !atter at all+
T&ereb" all responsibilit" is abolis&e% in pra#ti#e+ To (&at #onse/*en#es s*#& a state o$ a$$airs #an lea% !a" easil" be
*n%erstoo% $ro! t&e $ollo(ing si!ple #onsi%erations4
T&ose $ie &*n%re% %ep*ties (&o &ae been ele#te% b" t&e people #o!e $ro! ario*s %issi!ilar #allings in li$e an% s&o(
er" ar"ing %egrees o$ politi#al #apa#it", (it& t&e res*lt t&at t&e (&ole #o!bination is %is0ointe% an% so!eti!es presents
/*ite a sorr" pi#t*re+ S*rel" nobo%" beliees t&at t&ese #&osen representaties o$ t&e nation are t&e #&oi#e spirits or $irst1
#lass intelle#ts+ .obo%", I &ope, is $oolis& eno*g& to preten% t&at &*n%re%s o$ states!en #an e!erge $ro! papers pla#e% in
t&e ballot bo5 b" ele#tors (&o are an"t&ing else b*t aeragel" intelligent+ T&e abs*r% notion t&at !en o$ geni*s are born
o*t o$ *niersal s*$$rage #annot be too strongl" rep*%iate%+ In t&e $irst pla#e, t&ose ti!es !a" be reall" #alle% blesse% (&en
one gen*ine states!an !a,es &is appearan#e a!ong a people+ S*#& states!en %o not appear all at on#e in &*n%re%s or
!ore+ Se#on%l", a!ong t&e broa% !asses t&ere is instin#tiel" a %e$inite antipat&" to(ar%s eer" o*tstan%ing geni*s+
T&ere is a better #&an#e o$ seeing a #a!el pass t&ro*g& t&e e"e o$ a nee%le t&an o$ seeing a reall" great !an M%is#oere%
t&ro*g& an ele#tion+
3&ateer &as &appene% in &istor" aboe t&e leel o$ t&e aerage o$ t&e broa% p*bli# &as !ostl" been %*e to t&e %riing
$or#e o$ an in%ii%*al personalit"+
8*t &ere $ie &*n%re% persons o$ less t&an !o%est intelle#t*al /*alities pass 0*%g!ent on t&e !ost i!portant proble!s
a$$e#ting t&e nation+ T&e" $or! goern!ents (&i#& in t*rn learn to (in t&e approal o$ t&e ill*strio*s asse!bl" $or eer"
legislatie step t&at !a" be ta,en, (&i#& !eans t&at t&e poli#" to be #arrie% o*t is a#t*all" t&e poli#" o$ t&e $ie &*n%re%+
An% in%ee%, generall" spea,ing, t&e poli#" bears t&e sta!p o$ its origin+
8*t let *s pass oer t&e intelle#t*al /*alities o$ t&ese representaties an% as, (&at is t&e nat*re o$ t&e tas, set be$ore t&e!+
I$ (e #onsi%er t&e $a#t t&at t&e proble!s (&i#& &ae to be %is#*sse% an% sole% belong to t&e !ost arie% an% %ierse
$iel%s (e #an er" (ell reali>e &o( ine$$i#ient a goerning s"ste! !*st be (&i#& entr*sts t&e rig&t o$ %e#ision to a !ass
asse!bl" in (&i#& onl" er" $e( possess t&e ,no(le%ge an% e5perien#e s*#& as (o*l% /*ali$" t&e! to %eal (it& t&e
!atters t&at &ae to be settle%+ T&e !ost i!portant e#ono!i# !eas*res are s*b!itte% to a trib*nal in (&i#& not !ore t&an
one1tent& o$ t&e !e!bers &ae st*%ie% t&e ele!ents o$ e#ono!i#s+ T&is !eans t&at $inal a*t&orit" is este% in !en (&o
are *tterl" %eoi% o$ an" preparator" training (&i#& !ig&t !a,e t&e! #o!petent to %e#i%e on t&e /*estions at iss*e+
T&e sa!e &ol%s tr*e o$ eer" ot&er proble!+ It is al(a"s a !a0orit" o$ ignorant an% in#o!petent people (&o %e#i%e on
ea#& !eas*reC $or t&e #o!position o$ t&e instit*tion %oes not ar", (&ile t&e proble!s to be %ealt (it& #o!e $ro! t&e !ost
arie% sp&eres o$ p*bli# li$e+ An intelligent 0*%g!ent (o*l% be possible onl" i$ %i$$erent %ep*ties &a% t&e a*t&orit" to %eal
(it& %i$$erent iss*es+ It is o*t o$ t&e /*estion to t&in, t&at t&e sa!e people are $itte% to %e#i%e on transport /*estions as
(ell as, let *s sa", on /*estions o$ $oreign poli#", *nless ea#& o$ t&e! be a *niersal geni*s+ 8*t s#ar#el" !ore t&an one
geni*s appears in a #ent*r"+ Here (e are s#ar#el" eer %ealing (it& real brains, b*t onl" (it& %ilettanti (&o are as narro(1
!in%e% as t&e" are #on#eite% an% arrogant, intelle#t*al %e!i1!on%es o$ t&e (orst ,in%+ T&is is (&" t&ese &ono*rable
gentle!en s&o( s*#& astonis&ing leit" in %is#*ssing an% %e#i%ing on !atters t&at (o*l% %e!an% t&e !ost painsta,ing
#onsi%eration een $ro! great !in%s+ )eas*res o$ !o!ento*s i!portan#e $or t&e $*t*re e5isten#e o$ t&e State are $ra!e%
an% %is#*sse% in an at!osp&ere !ore s*ite% to t&e #ar%1table+ In%ee% t&e latter s*ggests a !*#& !ore $itting o##*pation $or
t&ese gentle!en t&an t&at o$ %e#i%ing t&e %estinies o$ a people+
O$ #o*rse it (o*l% be *n$air to ass*!e t&at ea#& !e!ber in s*#& a parlia!ent (as en%o(e% b" nat*re (it& s*#& a s!all
sense o$ responsibilit"+ T&at is o*t o$ t&e /*estion+
8*t t&is s"ste!, b" $or#ing t&e in%ii%*al to pass 0*%g!ent on /*estions $or (&i#& &e is not #o!petent gra%*all" %ebases
&is !oral #&ara#ter+ .obo%" (ill &ae t&e #o*rage to sa"4 LAentle!en, I a! a$rai% (e ,no( not&ing abo*t (&at (e are
tal,ing abo*t+ I $or one &ae no #o!peten#" in t&e !atter at all+L An"&o( i$ s*#& a %e#laration (ere !a%e it (o*l% not
#&ange !atters er" !*#&C $or s*#& o*tspo,en &onest" (o*l% not be *n%erstoo%+ T&e person (&o !a%e t&e %e#laration
(o*l% be %ee!e% an &ono*rable ass (&o o*g&t not to be allo(e% to spoil t&e ga!e+ T&ose (&o &ae a ,no(le%ge o$
&*!an nat*re ,no( t&at nobo%" li,es to be #onsi%ere% a $ool a!ong &is asso#iatesC an% in #ertain #ir#les &onest" is ta,en
as an in%e5 o$ st*pi%it"+
T&*s it &appens t&at a nat*rall" *prig&t !an, on#e &e $in%s &i!sel$ ele#te% to parlia!ent, !a" eent*all" be in%*#e% b"
t&e $or#e o$ #ir#*!stan#es to a#/*ies#e in a general line o$ #on%*#t (&i#& is base in itsel$ an% a!o*nts to a betra"al o$ t&e
p*bli# tr*st+ T&at $eeling t&at i$ t&e in%ii%*al re$raine% $ro! ta,ing part in a #ertain %e#ision &is attit*%e (o*l% not alter
t&e sit*ation in t&e least, %estro"s eer" real sense o$ &ono*r (&i#& !ig&t o##asionall" aro*se t&e #ons#ien#e o$ one person
or anot&er+ Finall", t&e ot&er(ise *prig&t %ep*t" (ill s*##ee% in pers*a%ing &i!sel$ t&at &e is b" no !eans t&e (orst o$ t&e
lot an% t&at b" ta,ing part in a #ertain line o$ a#tion &e !a" preent so!et&ing (orse $ro! &appening+
A #o*nter arg*!ent !a" be p*t $or(ar% &ere+ It !a" be sai% t&at o$ #o*rse t&e in%ii%*al !e!ber !a" not &ae t&e
,no(le%ge (&i#& is re/*isite $or t&e treat!ent o$ t&is or t&at /*estion, "et &is attit*%e to(ar%s it is ta,en on t&e a%i#e o$
&is Part" as t&e g*i%ing a*t&orit" in ea#& politi#al !atterC an% it !a" $*rt&er be sai% t&at t&e Part" sets *p spe#ial
#o!!ittees o$ e5perts (&o &ae een !ore t&an t&e re/*isite ,no(le%ge $or %ealing (it& t&e /*estions pla#e% be$ore
t&e!+
At $irst sig&t, t&at arg*!ent see!s so*n%+ 8*t t&en anot&er /*estion arises 1 na!el", (&" are $ie &*n%re% persons ele#te%
i$ onl" a $e( &ae t&e (is%o! (&i#& is re/*ire% to %eal (it& t&e !ore i!portant proble!s@
It is not t&e ai! o$ o*r !o%ern %e!o#rati# parlia!entar" s"ste! to bring toget&er an asse!bl" o$ intelligent an% (ell1
in$or!e% %ep*ties+ .ot at all+ T&e ai! rat&er is to bring toget&er a gro*p o$ nonentities (&o are %epen%ent on ot&ers $or
t&eir ie(s an% (&o #an be all t&e !ore easil" le%, t&e narro(er t&e !ental o*tloo, o$ ea#& in%ii%*al is+ T&at is t&e onl"
(a" in (&i#& a part" poli#", a##or%ing to t&e eil !eaning it &as to1%a", #an be p*t into e$$e#t+ An% b" t&is !et&o% alone it
is possible $or t&e (irep*ller, (&o e5er#ises t&e real #ontrol, to re!ain in t&e %ar,, so t&at personall" &e #an neer be
bro*g&t to a##o*nt $or &is a#tions+ For *n%er s*#& #ir#*!stan#es none o$ t&e %e#isions ta,en, no !atter &o( %isastro*s
t&e" !a" t*rn o*t $or t&e nation as a (&ole, #an be lai% at t&e %oor o$ t&e in%ii%*al (&o! eer"bo%" ,no(s to be t&e eil
geni*s responsible $or t&e (&ole a$$air+ All responsibilit" is s&i$te% to t&e s&o*l%ers o$ t&e Part" as a (&ole+
In pra#ti#e no a#t*al responsibilit" re!ains+ For responsibilit" arises onl" $ro! personal %*t" an% not $ro! t&e obligations
t&at rest (it& a parlia!entar" asse!bl" o$ e!pt" tal,ers+
T&e parlia!entar" instit*tion attra#ts people o$ t&e ba%ger t"pe, (&o %o not li,e t&e open lig&t+ .o *prig&t !an, (&o is
rea%" to a##ept personal responsibilit" $or &is a#ts, (ill be attra#te% to s*#& an instit*tion+
T&at is t&e reason (&" t&is bran% o$ %e!o#ra#" &as be#o!e a tool in t&e &an% o$ t&at ra#e (&i#&, be#a*se o$ t&e inner
p*rposes it (is&es to attain, !*st s&*n t&e open lig&t, as it &as al(a"s %one an% al(a"s (ill %o+ Onl" a -e( #an praise an
instit*tion (&i#& is as #orr*pt an% $alse as &i!sel$+
As a #ontrast to t&is ,in% o$ %e!o#ra#" (e &ae t&e Aer!an %e!o#ra#", (&i#& is a tr*e %e!o#ra#"C $or &ere t&e lea%er is
$reel" #&osen an% is oblige% to a##ept $*ll responsibilit" $or all &is a#tions an% o!issions+ T&e proble!s to be %ealt (it&
are not p*t to t&e ote o$ t&e !a0orit"C b*t t&e" are %e#i%e% *pon b" t&e in%ii%*al, an% as a g*arantee o$ responsibilit" $or
t&ose %e#isions &e ple%ges all &e &as in t&e (orl% an% een &is li$e+
T&e ob0e#tion !a" be raise% &ere t&at *n%er s*#& #on%itions it (o*l% be er" %i$$i#*lt to $in% a !an (&o (o*l% be rea%" to
%eote &i!sel$ to so $ate$*l a tas,+ T&e ans(er to t&at ob0e#tion is as $ollo(s4
3e t&an, Ao% t&at t&e inner spirit o$ o*r Aer!an %e!o#ra#" (ill o$ itsel$ preent t&e #&an#e #areerist, (&o !a" be
intelle#t*all" (ort&less an% a !oral t(ister, $ro! #o!ing b" %eio*s (a"s to a position in (&i#& &e !a" goern &is
$ello(1#iti>ens+ T&e $ear o$ *n%erta,ing s*#& $ar1rea#&ing responsibilities, *n%er Aer!an %e!o#ra#", (ill s#are o$$ t&e
ignorant an% t&e $e#,less+
8*t s&o*l% it &appen t&at s*#& a person !ig&t #reep in s*rreptitio*sl" it (ill be eas" eno*g& to i%enti$" &i! an%
apostrop&i>e &i! r*t&lessl"+ so!e(&at t&*s4 L8e o$$, "o* s#o*n%rel+ =ont soil t&ese steps (it& "o*r $eetC be#a*se t&ese are
t&e steps t&at lea% to t&e portals o$ t&e Pant&eon o$ Histor", an% t&e" are not !eant $or pla#e1&*nters b*t $or !en o$ noble
#&ara#ter+L
S*#& (ere t&e ie(s I $or!e% a$ter t(o "ears o$ atten%an#e at t&e sessions o$ t&e Biennese Parlia!ent+ T&en I (ent t&ere
no !ore+
T&e parlia!entar" regi!e be#a!e one o$ t&e #a*ses (&" t&e strengt& o$ t&e Habsb*rg State stea%il" %e#line% %*ring t&e
last "ears o$ its e5isten#e+ T&e !ore t&e pre%o!inan#e o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent (as (&ittle% a(a" t&ro*g& parlia!entar"
pro#e%*re, t&e !ore pro!inent be#a!e t&e s"ste! o$ pla"ing o$$ one o$ t&e ario*s #onstit*ent nationalities against t&e
ot&er+ In t&e I!perial Parlia!ent it (as al(a"s t&e Aer!an ele!ent t&at s*$$ere% t&ro*g& t&e s"ste!, (&i#& !eant t&at
t&e res*lts (ere %etri!ental to t&e E!pire as a (&oleC $or at t&e #lose o$ t&e #ent*r" een t&e !ost si!ple1!in%e% people
#o*l% re#ogni>e t&at t&e #o&esie $or#es (it&in t&e =*al )onar#&" no longer s*$$i#e% to #o*nterbalan#e t&e separatist
ten%en#ies o$ t&e proin#ial nationalities+ On t&e #ontrar"N
T&e !eas*res (&i#& t&e State a%opte% $or its o(n !aintenan#e be#a!e !ore an% !ore !ean spirite% an% in a li,e %egree
t&e general %isrespe#t $or t&e State in#rease%+ .ot onl" H*ngar" b*t also t&e ario*s Sla proin#es gra%*all" #ease% to
i%enti$" t&e!seles (it& t&e !onar#&" (&i#& e!bra#e% t&e! all, an% a##or%ingl" t&e" %i% not $eel its (ea,ness as in an"
(a" %etri!ental to t&e!seles+ T&e" rat&er (el#o!e% t&ose !ani$estations o$ senile %e#a"+ T&e" loo,e% $or(ar% to t&e
$inal %issol*tion o$ t&e State, an% not to its re#oer"+
T&e #o!plete #ollapse (as still $orestalle% in Parlia!ent b" t&e &*!iliating #on#essions t&at (ere !a%e to eer" ,in% o$
i!port*nate %e!an%s, at t&e #ost o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent+ T&ro*g&o*t t&e #o*ntr" t&e %e$en#e o$ t&e State reste% on
pla"ing o$$ t&e ario*s nationalities against one anot&er+ 8*t t&e general tren% o$ t&is %eelop!ent (as %ire#te% against
t&e Aer!ans+ Espe#iall" sin#e t&e rig&t o$ s*##ession to t&e t&rone #on$erre% #ertain in$l*en#e on t&e Ar#&%*,e Fran>
Fer%inan%, t&e poli#" o$ in#reasing t&e po(er o$ t&e C>e#&s (as #arrie% o*t s"ste!ati#all" $ro! t&e *pper gra%es o$ t&e
a%!inistration %o(n to t&e lo(er+ 3it& all t&e !eans at &is #o!!an% t&e &eir to t&e =*al )onar#&" personall" $*rt&ere%
t&e poli#" t&at ai!e% at eli!inating t&e in$l*en#e o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent, or at least &e a#te% as prote#tor o$ t&at poli#"+
8" t&e *se o$ State o$$i#ials as tools, p*rel" Aer!an %istri#ts (ere gra%*all" b*t %e#isiel" bro*g&t (it&in t&e %anger >one
o$ t&e !i5e% lang*ages+ Een in 'o(er A*stria t&is pro#ess began to !a,e &ea%(a" (it& a #onstantl" in#reasing te!po
an% Bienna (as loo,e% *pon b" t&e C>e#&s as t&eir biggest #it"+
In t&e $a!il" #ir#le o$ t&is ne( Habsb*rger t&e C>e#& lang*age (as $ao*re%+ T&e (i$e o$ t&e Ar#&%*,e &a% $or!erl" been
a C>e#& Co*ntess an% (as (e%%e% to t&e Prin#e b" a !organati# !arriage+ S&e #a!e $ro! an eniron!ent (&ere &ostilit"
to t&e Aer!ans &a% been tra%itional+ T&e lea%ing i%ea in t&e !in% o$ t&e Ar#&%*,e (as to establis& a Sla State in Central
E*rope, (&i#& (as to be #onstr*#te% on a p*rel" Cat&oli# basis, so as to sere as a b*l(ar, against Ort&o%o5 R*ssia+
As &a% &appene% o$ten in Habsb*rg &istor", religion (as t&*s e5ploite% to sere a p*rel" politi#al poli#", an% in t&is #ase a
$atal poli#", at least as $ar as Aer!an interests (ere #on#erne%+ T&e res*lt (as la!entable in !an" respe#ts+
.eit&er t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg nor t&e Cat&oli# C&*r#& re#eie% t&e re(ar% (&i#& t&e" e5pe#te%+ Habsb*rg lost t&e t&rone
an% t&e C&*r#& lost a great State+ 8" e!plo"ing religio*s !oties in t&e seri#e o$ politi#s, a spirit (as aro*se% (&i#& t&e
instigators o$ t&at poli#" &a% neer t&o*g&t possible+
Fro! t&e atte!pt to e5ter!inate Aer!anis! in t&e ol% !onar#&" b" eer" aailable !eans arose t&e Pan1Aer!an
)oe!ent in A*stria, as a response+
In t&e eig&ties o$ t&e last #ent*r" )an#&ester 'iberalis!, (&i#& (as -e(is& in its $*n%a!ental i%eas, &a% rea#&e% t&e
>enit& o$ its in$l*en#e in t&e =*al )onar#&", or &a% alrea%" passe% t&at point+ T&e rea#tion (&i#& set in %i% not arise $ro!
so#ial b*t $ro! nationalisti# ten%en#ies, as (as al(a"s t&e #ase in t&e ol% A*stria+ T&e instin#t o$ sel$1preseration %roe
t&e Aer!an ele!ent to %e$en% itsel$ energeti#all"+ E#ono!i# #onsi%erations onl" slo(l" began to gain an i!portant
in$l*en#eC b*t t&e" (ere o$ se#on%ar" #on#ern+ 8*t o$ t&e general politi#al #&aos t(o part" organi>ations e!erge%+ T&e one
(as !ore o$ a national, an% t&e ot&er !ore o$ a so#ial, #&ara#terC b*t bot& (ere &ig&l" interesting an% instr*#tie $or t&e
$*t*re+
A$ter t&e (ar o$ 19<<, (&i#& &a% res*lte% in t&e &*!iliation o$ A*stria, t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg #onte!plate% a rean#&e
on t&e battle$iel%+ Onl" t&e tragi# en% o$ t&e E!peror )a5i!ilian o$ )e5i#o preente% a still #loser #ollaboration (it&
Fran#e+ T&e #&ie$ bla!e $or )a5i!ilians %isastro*s e5pe%ition (as attrib*te% to .apoleon III an% t&e $a#t t&at t&e
Fren#&!an le$t &i! in t&e l*r#& aro*se% a general $eeling o$ in%ignation+ Ket t&e Habsb*rgs (ere still l"ing in (ait $or
t&eir opport*nit"+ I$ t&e (ar o$ 19:71:1 &a% not been s*#& a sing*lar tri*!p&, t&e Biennese Co*rt !ig&t &ae #&an#e% t&e
ga!e o$ bloo% in or%er to get its reenge $or Sa%o(a+ 8*t (&en t&e $irst reports arrie% $ro! t&e Fran#o1Aer!an
battle$iel%, (&i#&, t&o*g& tr*e, see!e% !ira#*lo*s an% al!ost in#re%ible, t&e M!ost (ise o$ all !onar#&s re#ogni>e% t&at
t&e !o!ent (as inopport*ne an% trie% to a##ept t&e *n$ao*rable sit*ation (it& as goo% a gra#e as possible+
T&e &eroi# #on$li#t o$ t&ose t(o "ears F19:71:1G pro%*#e% a still greater !ira#leC $or (it& t&e Habsb*rgs t&e #&ange o$
attit*%e neer #a!e $ro! an inner &eart$elt *rge b*t onl" $ro! t&e press*re o$ #ir#*!stan#es+ T&e Aer!an people o$ t&e
East )ar,, &o(eer, (ere entran#e% b" t&e tri*!p&ant glor" o$ t&e ne(l" establis&e% Aer!an E!pire an% (ere
pro$o*n%l" !oe% (&en t&e" sa( t&e %rea! o$ t&eir $at&ers res*rgent in a !agni$i#ent realit"+
For 1 let *s !a,e no !ista,e abo*t it 1 t&e tr*e Aer!an1A*strian reali>e% $ro! t&is ti!e on(ar%, t&at ;JniggrIt> (as t&e
tragi#, t&o*g& ne#essar", pre1#on%ition $or t&e re1establis&!ent o$ an E!pire (&i#& s&o*l% no longer be b*r%ene% (it& t&e
pals" o$ t&e ol% allian#e an% (&i#& in%ee% &a% no s&are in t&at !orbi% %e#a"+ Aboe all, t&e Aer!an1A*strian &a% #o!e
to $eel in t&e er" %ept&s o$ &is o(n being t&at t&e &istori#al !ission o$ t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg &a% #o!e to an en% an%
t&at t&e ne( E!pire #o*l% #&oose onl" an E!peror (&o (as o$ &eroi# !o*l% an% (as t&ere$ore (ort&" to (ear t&e MCro(n
o$ t&e R&ine+ It (as rig&t an% 0*st t&at =estin" s&o*l% be praise% $or &aing #&osen a s#ion o$ t&at Ho*se o$ (&i#&
Fre%eri#, t&e Areat &a% in past ti!es gien t&e nation an eleate% an% resplen%ent s"!bol $or all ti!e to #o!e+
A$ter t&e great (ar o$ 19:71:1 t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg set to (or, (it& all its %eter!ination to e5ter!inate t&e %angero*s
Aer!an ele!ent 1 abo*t (&ose inner $eelings an% attit*%e t&ere #o*l% be no %o*bt 1 slo(l" b*t %eliberatel"+ I *se t&e (or%
e5ter!inate, be#a*se t&at alone e5presses (&at !*st &ae been t&e $inal res*lt o$ t&e Slaop&ile poli#"+ T&en it (as t&at
t&e $ire o$ rebellion bla>e% *p a!ong t&e people (&ose e5ter!ination &a% been %e#ree%+ T&at $ire (as s*#& as &a% neer
been (itnesse% in !o%ern Aer!an &istor"+
For t&e $irst ti!e nationalists an% patriots (ere trans$or!e% into rebels+
.ot rebels against t&e nation or t&e State as s*#& b*t rebels against t&at $or! o$ goern!ent (&i#& t&e" (ere #onin#e%,
(o*l% ineitabl" bring abo*t t&e r*in o$ t&eir o(n people+ For t&e $irst ti!e in !o%ern &istor" t&e tra%itional %"nasti#
patriotis! an% national loe o$ $at&erlan% an% people (ere in open #on$li#t+
It (as to t&e !erit o$ t&e Pan1Aer!an !oe!ent in A*stria %*ring t&e #losing %e#a%e o$ t&e last #ent*r" t&at it pointe%
o*t #learl" an% *ne/*io#all" t&at a State is entitle% to %e!an% respe#t an% prote#tion $or its a*t&orit" onl" (&en s*#&
a*t&orit" is a%!inistere% in a##or%an#e (it& t&e interests o$ t&e nation, or at least not in a !anner %etri!ental to t&ose
interests+
T&e a*t&orit" o$ t&e State #an neer be an en% in itsel$C $or, i$ t&at (ere so, an" ,in% o$ t"rann" (o*l% be iniolable an%
sa#re%+
I$ a goern!ent *ses t&e instr*!ents o$ po(er in its &an%s $or t&e p*rpose o$ lea%ing a people to r*in, t&en rebellion is not
onl" t&e rig&t b*t also t&e %*t" o$ eer" in%ii%*al #iti>en+
T&e /*estion o$ (&et&er an% (&en s*#& a sit*ation e5ists #annot be ans(ere% b" t&eoreti#al %issertations b*t onl" b" t&e
e5er#ise o$ $or#e, an% it is s*##ess t&at %e#i%es t&e iss*e+
Eer" goern!ent, een t&o*g& it !a" be t&e (orst possible an% een t&o*g& it !a" &ae betra"e% t&e nations tr*st in
t&o*san%s o$ (a"s, (ill #lai! t&at its %*t" is to *p&ol% t&e a*t&orit" o$ t&e State+ Its a%ersaries, (&o are $ig&ting $or
national sel$1preseration, !*st *se t&e sa!e (eapons (&i#& t&e goern!ent *ses i$ t&e" are to preail against s*#& a r*le
an% se#*re t&eir o(n $ree%o! an% in%epen%en#e+ T&ere$ore t&e #on$li#t (ill be $o*g&t o*t (it& Mlegal !eans as long as
t&e po(er (&i#& is to be oert&ro(n *ses t&e!C b*t t&e ins*rgents (ill not &esitate to appl" illegal !eans i$ t&e oppressor
&i!sel$ e!plo"s t&e!+
Aenerall" spea,ing, (e !*st not $orget t&at t&e &ig&est ai! o$ &*!an e5isten#e is not t&e !aintenan#e o$ a State o$
Aoern!ent b*t rat&er t&e #onseration o$ t&e ra#e+
I$ t&e ra#e is in %anger o$ being oppresse% or een e5ter!inate% t&e /*estion o$ legalit" is onl" o$ se#on%ar" i!portan#e+
T&e establis&e% po(er !a" in s*#& a #ase e!plo" onl" t&ose !eans (&i#& are re#ogni>e% as Mlegal+ "et t&e instin#t o$
sel$1preseration on t&e part o$ t&e oppresse% (ill al(a"s 0*sti$", to t&e &ig&est %egree, t&e e!plo"!ent o$ all possible
reso*r#es+
Onl" on t&e re#ognition o$ t&is prin#iple (as it possible $or t&ose str*ggles to be #arrie% t&ro*g&, o$ (&i#& &istor"
$*rnis&es !agni$i#ent e5a!ples in ab*n%an#e, against $oreign bon%age or oppression at &o!e+
H*!an rig&ts are aboe t&e rig&ts o$ t&e State+ 8*t i$ a people be %e$eate% in t&e str*ggle $or its &*!an rig&ts t&is !eans
t&at its (eig&t &as proe% too lig&t in t&e s#ale o$ =estin" to &ae t&e l*#, o$ being able to en%*re in t&is terrestrial (orl%+
T&e (orl% is not t&ere to be possesse% b" t&e $aint1&earte% ra#es+
A*stria a$$or%s a er" #lear an% stri,ing e5a!ple o$ &o( eas" it is $or t"rann" to &i%e its &ea% *n%er t&e #loa, o$ (&at is
#alle% Mlegalit"+
T&e legal e5er#ise o$ po(er in t&e Habsb*rg State (as t&en base% on t&e anti1Aer!an attit*%e o$ t&e parlia!ent, (it& its
non1Aer!an !a0orities, an% on t&e %"nasti# Ho*se, (&i#& (as also &ostile to t&e Aer!an ele!ent+ T&e (&ole a*t&orit" o$
t&e State (as in#orporate% in t&ese t(o $a#tors+ To atte!pt to alter t&e lot o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent t&ro*g& t&ese t(o $a#tors
(o*l% &ae been senseless+ T&ose (&o a%ise% t&e Mlegal (a" as t&e onl" possible (a", an% also obe%ien#e to t&e State
a*t&orit", #o*l% o$$er no resistan#eC be#a*se a poli#" o$ resistan#e #o*l% not &ae been p*t into e$$e#t t&ro*g& legal
!eas*res+ To $ollo( t&e a%i#e o$ t&e legalist #o*nsellors (o*l% &ae !eant t&e ineitable r*in o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent
(it&in t&e )onar#&", an% t&is %isaster (o*l% not &ae ta,en long to #o!e+ T&e Aer!an ele!ent &as a#t*all" been sae%
onl" be#a*se t&e State as s*#& #ollapse%+
T&e spe#ta#le% t&eorist (o*l% &ae gien &is li$e $or &is %o#trine rat&er t&an $or &is people+
8e#a*se !an &as !a%e la(s &e s*bse/*entl" #o!es to t&in, t&at &e e5ists $or t&e sa,e o$ t&e la(s+
A great seri#e ren%ere% b" t&e pan1Aer!an !oe!ent t&en (as t&at it abolis&e% all s*#& nonsense, t&o*g& t&e
%o#trinaire t&eorists an% ot&er $etis& (ors&ippers (ere s&o#,e%+
3&en t&e Habsb*rgs atte!pte% to #o!e to #lose /*arters (it& t&e Aer!an ele!ent, b" t&e e!plo"!ent o$ all t&e !eans o$
atta#, (&i#& t&e" &a% at t&eir #o!!an%, t&e Pan1Aer!an Part" &it o*t r*t&lessl" against t&e Mill*strio*s %"nast"+ T&is
Part" (as t&e $irst to probe into an% e5pose t&e #orr*pt #on%ition o$ t&e StateC an% in %oing so t&e" opene% t&e e"es o$
&*n%re%s o$ t&o*san%s+ To &ae liberate% t&e &ig& i%eal o$ loe $or ones #o*ntr" $ro! t&e e!bra#e o$ t&is %eplorable
%"nast" (as one o$ t&e great seri#es ren%ere% b" t&e Pan1Aer!an !oe!ent+
3&en t&at Part" $irst !a%e its appearan#e it se#*re% a large $ollo(ing 1 in%ee%, t&e !oe!ent t&reatene% to be#o!e
al!ost an aalan#&e+ 8*t t&e $irst s*##esses (ere not !aintaine%+ At t&e ti!e I #a!e to Bienna t&e pan1Aer!an Part" &a%
been e#lipse% b" t&e C&ristian1So#ialist Part", (&i#& &a% #o!e into po(er in t&e !eanti!e+ In%ee%, t&e Pan1Aer!an Part"
&a% s*n, to a leel o$ al!ost #o!plete insigni$i#an#e+
T&e rise an% %e#line o$ t&e Pan1Aer!an !oe!ent on t&e one &an% an% t&e !arello*s progress o$ t&e C&ristian1So#ialist
Part" on t&e ot&er, be#a!e a #lassi# ob0e#t o$ st*%" $or !e, an% as s*#& t&e" pla"e% an i!portant part in t&e %eelop!ent
o$ !" o(n ie(s+
3&en I #a!e to Bienna all !" s"!pat&ies (ere e5#l*siel" (it& t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent+
I (as 0*st as !*#& i!presse% b" t&e $a#t t&at t&e" &a% t&e #o*rage to s&o*t Heil Ho&en>ollern as I re0oi#e% at t&eir
%eter!ination to #onsi%er t&e!seles an integral part o$ t&e Aer!an E!pire, $ro! (&i#& t&e" (ere separate% onl"
proisionall"+ T&e" neer !isse% an opport*nit" to e5plain t&eir attit*%e in p*bli#, (&i#& raise% !" ent&*sias! an%
#on$i%en#e+ To ao( ones prin#iples p*bli#l" on eer" proble! t&at #on#erne% Aer!anis!, an% neer to !a,e an"
#o!pro!ises, see!e% to !e t&e onl" (a" o$ saing o*r people+ 3&at I #o*l% not *n%erstan% (as &o( t&is !oe!ent
bro,e %o(n so soon a$ter s*#& a !agni$i#ent startC an% it (as no less in#o!pre&ensible t&at t&e C&ristian1So#ialists s&o*l%
gain s*#& tre!en%o*s po(er (it&in s*#& a s&ort ti!e+ T&e" &a% 0*st rea#&e% t&e pinna#le o$ t&eir pop*larit"+
3&en I began to #o!pare t&ose t(o !oe!ents Fate pla#e% be$ore !e t&e best !eans o$ *n%erstan%ing t&e #a*ses o$ t&is
p*>>ling proble!+ T&e a#tion o$ Fate in t&is #ase (as &astene% b" !" o(n straitene% #ir#*!stan#es+
I s&all begin !" anal"sis (it& an a##o*nt o$ t&e t(o !en (&o !*st be regar%e% as t&e $o*n%ers an% lea%ers o$ t&e t(o
!oe!ents+ T&ese (ere Aeorge on S#&Jnerer an% =r+ ;arl '*eger+
As $ar as personalit" goes, bot& (ere $ar aboe t&e leel an% stat*re o$ t&e so1#alle% parlia!entar" $ig*res+ T&e" lie% lies
o$ i!!a#*late an% irreproa#&able probit" a!i%st t&e !ias!a o$ all1ro*n% politi#al #orr*ption+ Personall" I $irst li,e% t&e
Pan1Aer!an representatie, S#&Jnerer, an% it (as onl" a$ter(ar%s an% gra%*all" t&at I $elt an e/*al li,ing $or t&e
C&ristian1So#ialist lea%er+
3&en I #o!pare% t&eir respe#tie abilities S#&Jnerer see!e% to !e a better an% !ore pro$o*n% t&in,er on $*n%a!ental
proble!s+ He $oresa( t&e ineitable %o(n$all o$ t&e A*strian State !ore #learl" an% a##*ratel" t&an an"one else+ I$ t&is
(arning in regar% to t&e Habsb*rg E!pire &a% been &ee%e% in Aer!an" t&e %isastro*s (orl% (ar, (&i#& inole%
Aer!an" against t&e (&ole o$ E*rope, (o*l% neer &ae ta,en pla#e+
8*t t&o*g& S#&Jnerer s*##ee%e% in penetrating to t&e essentials o$ a proble! &e (as er" o$ten !*#& !ista,en in &is
0*%g!ent o$ !en+
An% &erein la" =r+ '*egers spe#ial talent+ He &a% a rare gi$t o$ insig&t into &*!an nat*re an% &e (as er" #are$*l not to
ta,e !en as so!et&ing better t&an t&e" (ere in realit"+ He base% &is plans on t&e pra#ti#al possibilities (&i#& &*!an li$e
o$$ere% &i!, (&ereas S#&Jnerer &a% onl" little %is#ri!ination in t&at respe#t+ All i%eas t&at t&is Pan1Aer!an &a% (ere
rig&t in t&e abstra#t, b*t &e %i% not &ae t&e $or#e$*lness or *n%erstan%ing ne#essar" to p*t &is i%eas a#ross to t&e broa%
!asses+ He (as not able to $or!*late t&e! so t&at t&e" #o*l% be easil" graspe% b" t&e !asses, (&ose po(ers o$
#o!pre&ension are li!ite% an% (ill al(a"s re!ain so+ T&ere$ore all S#&Jnerers ,no(le%ge (as onl" t&e (is%o! o$ a
prop&et an% &e neer #o*l% s*##ee% in &aing it p*t into pra#ti#e+
T&is la#, o$ insig&t into &*!an nat*re le% &i! to $or! a (rong esti!ate o$ t&e $or#es be&in% #ertain !oe!ents an% t&e
in&erent strengt& o$ ol% instit*tions+
S#&Jnerer in%ee% reali>e% t&at t&e proble!s &e &a% to %eal (it& (ere in t&e nat*re o$ a 3eltans#&&a**ngC b*t &e %i% not
*n%erstan% t&at onl" t&e broa% !asses o$ a nation #an !a,e s*#& #oni#tions preail, (&i#& are al!ost o$ a religio*s
nat*re+
Un$ort*natel" &e *n%erstoo% onl" er" i!per$e#tl" &o( $eeble is t&e $ig&ting spirit o$ t&e so1#alle% bo*rgeoisie+ T&at
(ea,ness is %*e to t&eir b*siness interests, (&i#& in%ii%*als are too !*#& a$rai% o$ ris,ing an% (&i#& t&ere$ore %eter
t&e! $ro! ta,ing a#tion+ An%, generall" spea,ing, a 3eltans#&&a**ng #an &ae no prospe#t o$ s*##ess *nless t&e broa%
!asses %e#lare t&e!seles rea%" to a#t as its stan%ar%1bearers an% to $ig&t on its be&al$ (&ereer an% to (&ateer e5tent
t&at !a" be ne#essar"+
T&is $ail*re to *n%erstan% t&e i!portan#e o$ t&e lo(er strata o$ t&e pop*lation res*lte% in a er" ina%e/*ate #on#ept o$ t&e
so#ial proble!+
In all t&is =r+ '*eger (as t&e opposite o$ S#&Jnerer+ His pro$o*n% ,no(le%ge o$ &*!an nat*re enable% &i! to $or! a
#orre#t esti!ate o$ t&e ario*s so#ial $or#es an% it sae% &i! $ro! *n%er1rating t&e po(er o$ e5isting instit*tions+ An% it
(as per&aps t&is er" /*alit" (&i#& enable% &i! to *tili>e t&ose instit*tions as a !eans to sere t&e p*rposes o$ &is poli#"+
He sa( onl" too #learl" t&at, in o*r epo#&, t&e politi#al $ig&ting po(er o$ t&e *pper #lasses is /*ite insigni$i#ant an% not at
all #apable o$ $ig&ting $or a great ne( !oe!ent *ntil t&e tri*!p& o$ t&at !oe!ent be se#*re%+ T&*s &e %eote% t&e
greatest part o$ &is politi#al a#tiit" to t&e tas, o$ (inning oer t&ose se#tions o$ t&e pop*lation (&ose e5isten#e (as in
%anger an% $ostering t&e !ilitant spirit in t&e! rat&er t&an atte!pting to paral"se it+ He (as also /*i#, to a%opt all
aailable !eans $or (inning t&e s*pport o$ long1establis&e% instit*tions, so as to be able to %erie t&e greatest possible
a%antage $or &is !oe!ent $ro! t&ose ol% so*r#es o$ po(er+
T&*s it (as t&at, $irst o$ all, &e #&ose as t&e so#ial basis o$ &is ne( Part" t&at !i%%le #lass (&i#& (as t&reatene% (it&
e5tin#tion+ In t&is (a" &e se#*re% a soli% $ollo(ing (&i#& (as (illing to !a,e great sa#ri$i#es an% &a% goo% $ig&ting
sta!ina+ His e5tre!el" (ise attit*%e to(ar%s t&e Cat&oli# C&*r#& rapi%l" (on oer t&e "o*nger #lerg" in s*#& large
n*!bers t&at t&e ol% Cleri#al Part" (as $or#e% to retire $ro! t&e $iel% o$ a#tion or else, (&i#& (as t&e (iser #o*rse, 0oin
t&e ne( Part", in t&e &ope o$ gra%*all" (inning ba#, one position a$ter anot&er+
8*t it (o*l% be a serio*s in0*sti#e to t&e !an i$ (e (ere to regar% t&is as &is essential #&ara#teristi#+ For &e possesse% t&e
/*alities o$ an able ta#ti#ian, an% &a% t&e tr*e geni*s o$ a great re$or!erC b*t all t&ese (ere li!ite% b" &is e5a#t per#eption
o$ t&e possibilities at &an% an% also o$ &is o(n #apabilities+
T&e ai!s (&i#& t&is reall" e!inent !an %e#i%e% to p*rs*e (ere intensel" pra#ti#al+ He (is&e% to #on/*er Bienna, t&e
&eart o$ t&e )onar#&"+ It (as $ro! Bienna t&at t&e last p*lses o$ li$e beat t&ro*g& t&e %isease% an% (orn1o*t bo%" o$ t&e
%e#repit E!pire+ I$ t&e &eart #o*l% be !a%e &ealt&ier t&e ot&ers parts o$ t&e bo%" (ere bo*n% to reie+ T&at i%ea (as
#orre#t in prin#ipleC b*t t&e ti!e (it&in (&i#& it #o*l% be applie% in pra#ti#e (as stri#tl" li!ite%+ An% t&at (as t&e !ans
(ea, point+
His a#&iee!ents as 8*rgo!aster o$ t&e Cit" o$ Bienna are i!!ortal, in t&e best sense o$ t&e (or%+ 8*t all t&at #o*l% not
sae t&e )onar#&"+ It #a!e too late+
His rial, S#&Jnerer, sa( t&is !ore #learl"+ 3&at =r+ '*eger *n%ertoo, to p*t into pra#ti#e t*rne% o*t !arello*sl"
s*##ess$*l+ 8*t t&e res*lts (&i#& &e e5pe#te% to $ollo( t&ese a#&iee!ents %i% not #o!e+ S#&Jnerer %i% not attain t&e en%s
&e &a% propose% to &i!sel$C b*t &is $ears (ere reali>e%, alas, in a terrible $as&ion+ T&*s bot& t&ese !en $aile% to attain
t&eir $*rt&er ob0e#ties+ '*eger #o*l% not sae A*stria an% S#&Jnerer #o*l% not preent t&e %o(n$all o$ t&e Aer!an people
in A*stria+
To st*%" t&e #a*ses o$ $ail*re in t&e #ase o$ t&ese t(o parties is to learn a lesson t&at is &ig&l" instr*#tie $or o*r o(n
epo#&+ T&is is spe#iall" *se$*l $or !" $rien%s, be#a*se in !an" points t&e #ir#*!stan#es o$ o*r o(n %a" are si!ilar to
t&ose o$ t&at ti!e+ T&ere$ore s*#& a lesson !a" &elp *s to g*ar% against t&e !ista,es (&i#& bro*g&t one o$ t&ose
!oe!ents to an en% an% ren%ere% t&e ot&er barren o$ res*lts+
In !" opinion, t&e (re#, o$ t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent in A*stria !*st be attrib*te% to t&ree #a*ses+
T&e $irst o$ t&ese #onsiste% in t&e $a#t t&at t&e lea%ers %i% not &ae a #lear #on#ept o$ t&e i!portan#e o$ t&e so#ial proble!,
parti#*larl" $or a ne( !oe!ent (&i#& &a% an essentiall" reol*tionar" #&ara#ter+ S#&Jnerer an% &is $ollo(ers %ire#te%
t&eir attention prin#ipall" to t&e bo*rgeois #lasses+ For t&at reason t&eir !oe!ent (as bo*n% to t*rn o*t !e%io#re an%
ta!e+ T&e Aer!an bo*rgeoisie, espe#iall" in its *pper #ir#les, is pa#i$ist een to t&e point o$ #o!plete sel$1abnegation 1
t&o*g& t&e in%ii%*al !a" not be a(are o$ t&is 1 (&ereer t&e internal a$$airs o$ t&e nation or State are #on#erne%+ In goo%
ti!es, (&i#& in t&is #ase !eans ti!es o$ goo% goern!ent, s*#& a ps"#&ologi#al attit*%e !a,es t&is so#ial la"er
e5traor%inaril" al*able to t&e State+ 8*t (&en t&ere is a ba% goern!ent, s*#& a /*alit" &as a %estr*#tie e$$e#t+ In or%er
to ass*re t&e possibilit" o$ #arr"ing t&ro*g& a reall" stren*o*s str*ggle, t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent s&o*l% &ae %eote%
its e$$orts to (inning oer t&e !asses+ T&e $ail*re to %o t&is le$t t&e !oe!ent $ro! t&e er" beginning (it&o*t t&e
ele!entar" i!p*lse (&i#& s*#& a (ae nee%s i$ it is not to ebb (it&in a s&ort (&ile+
In $ailing to see t&e tr*t& o$ t&is prin#iple #learl" at t&e er" o*tset o$ t&e !oe!ent an% in negle#ting to p*t it into
pra#ti#e t&e ne( Part" !a%e an initial !ista,e (&i#& #o*l% not possibl" be re#ti$ie% a$ter(ar%s+ For t&e n*!ero*s
!o%erate bo*rgeois ele!ents a%!itte% into t&e !oe!ents in#reasingl" %eter!ine% its internal orientation an% t&*s
$orestalle% all $*rt&er prospe#ts o$ gaining an" appre#iable s*pport a!ong t&e !asses o$ t&e people+ Un%er s*#& #on%itions
s*#& a !oe!ent #o*l% not get be"on% !ere %is#*ssion an% #riti#is!+ P*asi1religio*s $ait& an% t&e spirit o$ sa#ri$i#e (ere
not to be $o*n% in t&e !oe!ent an" !ore+ T&eir pla#e (as ta,en b" t&e e$$ort to(ar%s Mpositie #ollaboration, (&i#& in
t&is #ase !eant t&e a#,no(le%g!ent o$ t&e e5isting state o$ a$$airs, gra%*all" (&ittling a(a" t&e ro*g& #orners o$ t&e
/*estions in %isp*te, an% en%ing *p (it& t&e !a,ing o$ a %is&ono*rable pea#e+
S*#& (as t&e $ate o$ t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent, be#a*se at t&e start t&e lea%ers %i% not reali>e t&at t&e !ost i!portant
#on%ition o$ s*##ess (as t&at t&e" s&o*l% re#r*it t&eir $ollo(ing $ro! t&e broa% !asses o$ t&e people+ T&e )oe!ent t&*s
be#a!e bo*rgeois an% respe#table an% ra%i#al onl" in !o%eration+
Fro! t&is $ail*re res*lte% t&e se#on% #a*se o$ its rapi% %e#line+
T&e position o$ t&e Aer!ans in A*stria (as alrea%" %esperate (&en Pan1Aer!anis! arose+ Kear a$ter "ear Parlia!ent (as
being *se% !ore an% !ore as an instr*!ent $or t&e gra%*al e5tin#tion o$ t&e Aer!an1A*strian pop*lation+ T&e onl" &ope
$or an" eleent&1&o*r e$$ort to sae it la" in t&e oert&ro( o$ t&e parlia!entar" s"ste!C b*t t&ere (as er" little prospe#t o$
t&is &appening+
T&ere(it& t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent (as #on$ronte% (it& a /*estion o$ pri!ar" i!portan#e+
To oert&ro( t&e Parlia!ent, s&o*l% t&e Pan1Aer!anists &ae entere% it Mto *n%er!ine it $ro! (it&in, as t&e #*rrent
p&rase (as@ Or s&o*l% t&e" &ae assaile% t&e instit*tion as s*#& $ro! t&e o*tsi%e@
T&e" entere% t&e Parlia!ent an% #a!e o*t %e$eate%+ 8*t t&e" &a% $o*n% t&e!seles oblige% to enter+
For in or%er to (age an e$$e#tie (ar against s*#& a po(er $ro! t&e o*tsi%e, in%o!itable #o*rage an% a rea%" spirit o$
sa#ri$i#e (ere ne#essar" (eapons+ In s*#& #ases t&e b*ll !*st be sei>e% b" t&e &orns+ F*rio*s %ries !a" bring t&e
assailant to t&e gro*n% again an% againC b*t i$ &e &as a sto*t &eart &e (ill stan% *p, een t&o*g& so!e bones !a" be
bro,en, an% onl" a$ter a long an% to*g& str*ggle (ill &e a#&iee &is tri*!p&+ .e( #&a!pions are attra#te% to a #a*se b"
t&e appeal o$ great sa#ri$i#es !a%e $or its sa,e, *ntil t&at in%o!itable spirit is $inall" #ro(ne% (it& s*##ess+
For s*#& a res*lt, &o(eer, t&e #&il%ren o$ t&e people $ro! t&e great !asses are ne#essar"+ T&e" alone &ae t&e re/*isite
%eter!ination an% tena#it" to $ig&t a sang*inar" iss*e t&ro*g& to t&e en%+ 8*t t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent %i% not &ae
t&ese broa% !asses as its #&a!pions, an% so no ot&er !eans o$ sol*tion #o*l% be trie% o*t e5#ept t&at o$ entering
Parlia!#nt+
It (o*l% be a !ista,e to t&in, t&at t&is %e#ision res*lte% $ro! a long series o$ internal &esitations o$ a !oral ,in%, or t&at
it (as t&e o*t#o!e o$ #are$*l #al#*lation+ .o+ T&e" %i% not een t&in, o$ anot&er sol*tion+ T&ose (&o parti#ipate% in t&is
bl*n%er (ere a#t*ate% b" general #onsi%erations an% ag*e notions as to (&at (o*l% be t&e signi$i#an#e an% e$$e#t o$
ta,ing part in s*#& a spe#ial (a" in t&at instit*tion (&i#& t&e" &a% #on%e!ne% on prin#iple+ In general t&e" &ope% t&at
t&e" (o*l% t&*s &ae t&e !eans o$ e5po*n%ing t&eir #a*se to t&e great !asses o$ t&e people, be#a*se t&e" (o*l% be able to
spea, be$ore Mt&e $or*! o$ t&e (&ole nation+ Also, it see!e% reasonable to beliee t&at b" atta#,ing t&e eil in t&e root
t&e" (o*l% be !ore e$$e#tie t&an i$ t&e atta#, #a!e $ro! o*tsi%e+ T&e" beliee% t&at, i$ prote#te% b" t&e i!!*nit" o$
Parlia!ent, t&e position o$ t&e in%ii%*al protagonists (o*l% be strengt&ene% an% t&at t&*s t&e $or#e o$ t&eir atta#,s (o*l%
be en&an#e%+
In realit" eer"t&ing t*rne% o*t /*ite ot&er(ise+
T&e For*! be$ore (&i#& t&e Pan1Aer!an representaties spo,e &a% not gro(n greater, b*t &a% a#t*all" be#o!e s!allerC
$or ea#& spo,e onl" to t&e #ir#le t&at (as rea%" to listen to &i! or #o*l% rea% t&e report o$ &is spee#& in t&e ne(spapers+
8*t t&e greater $or*! o$ i!!e%iate listeners is not t&e parlia!entar" a*%itori*!4 it is t&e large p*bli# !eeting+ For &ere
alone (ill t&ere be t&o*san%s o$ !en (&o &ae #o!e si!pl" to &ear (&at a spea,er &as to sa", (&ereas in t&e
parlia!entar" sittings onl" a $e( &*n%re% are presentC an% $or t&e !ost part t&ese are t&ere onl" to earn t&eir %ail"
allo(an#e $or atten%an#e an% not to be enlig&tene% b" t&e (is%o! o$ one or ot&er o$ t&e Mrepresentaties o$ t&e people+
T&e !ost i!portant #onsi%eration is t&at t&e sa!e p*bli# is al(a"s present an% t&at t&is p*bli# %oes not (is& to learn
an"t&ing ne(C be#a*se, setting asi%e t&e /*estion o$ its intelligen#e, it la#,s een t&at !o%est /*ant*! o$ (ill1po(er
(&i#& is ne#essar" $or t&e e$$ort o$ learning+
.ot one o$ t&e representaties o$ t&e people (ill pa" &o!age to a s*perior tr*t& an% %eote &i!sel$ to its seri#e+ .o+ .ot
one o$ t&ese gentr" (ill a#t t&*s, e5#ept &e &as gro*n%s $or &oping t&at b" s*#& a #onersion &e !a" be able to retain t&e
representation o$ &is #onstit*en#" in t&e #o!ing legislat*re+ T&ere$ore, onl" (&en it be#o!es /*ite #lear t&at t&e ol% part"
is li,el" to &ae a ba% ti!e o$ it at t&e $ort&#o!ing ele#tions 1 onl" t&en (ill t&ose !o%els o$ !anl" irt*e set o*t in sear#&
o$ a ne( part" or a ne( poli#" (&i#& !a" &ae better ele#toral prospe#tsC b*t o$ #o*rse t&is #&ange o$ position (ill be
a##o!panie% b" a eritable %el*ge o$ &ig& !oral !oties to 0*sti$" it+ An% t&*s it al(a"s &appens t&at (&en an e5isting
Part" &as in#*rre% s*#& general %is$ao*r a!ong t&e p*bli# t&at it is t&reatene% (it& t&e probabilit" o$ a #r*s&ing %e$eat,
t&en a great !igration #o!!en#es+ T&e parlia!entar" rats leae t&e Part" s&ip+
All t&is &appens not be#a*se t&e in%ii%*als in t&e #ase &ae be#o!e better in$or!e% on t&e /*estions at iss*e an% &ae
resole% to a#t a##or%ingl"+ T&ese #&anges o$ $ront are ei%en#e onl" o$ t&at gi$t o$ #lairo"an#e (&i#& (arns t&e
parlia!entar" $lea at t&e rig&t !o!ent an% enables &i! to &op into anot&er (ar! Part" be%+
To spea, be$ore s*#& a $or*! signi$ies #asting pearls be$ore #ertain ani!als+
Beril" it %oes not repa" t&e pains ta,enC $or t&e res*lt !*st al(a"s be negatie+
An% t&at is a#t*all" (&at &appene%+ T&e Pan1Aer!an representaties !ig&t &ae tal,e% t&e!seles &oarse, b*t to no
e$$e#t (&atsoeer+
T&e Press eit&er ignore% t&e! totall" or so !*tilate% t&eir spee#&es t&at t&e logi#al #onsisten#" (as %estro"e% or t&e
!eaning t(iste% ro*n% in s*#& a (a" t&at t&e p*bli# got onl" a er" (rong i!pression regar%ing t&e ai!s o$ t&e ne(
!oe!ent+ 3&at t&e in%ii%*al !e!bers sai% (as not o$ i!portan#e+ T&e i!portant !atter (as (&at people rea% as
#o!ing $ro! t&e!+ T&is #onsiste% o$ !ere e5tra#ts (&i#& &a% been torn o*t o$ t&e #onte5t o$ t&e spee#&es an% gae an
i!pression o$ in#o&erent nonsense, (&i#& in%ee% (as p*rposel" !eant+ T&*s t&e onl" p*bli# be$ore (&i#& t&e" reall"
spo,e #onsiste% !erel" o$ $ie &*n%re% parlia!entariansC an% t&at sa"s eno*g&+
T&e (orst (as t&e $ollo(ing4
T&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent #o*l% &ope $or s*##ess onl" i$ t&e lea%ers reali>e% $ro! t&e er" $irst !o!ent t&at &ere t&ere
(as no /*estion so !*#& o$ a ne( Part" as o$ a ne( 3eltans#&&a**ng+ T&is alone #o*l% aro*se t&e inner !oral $or#es t&at
(ere ne#essar" $or s*#& a giganti# str*ggle+ An% $or t&is str*ggle t&e lea%ers !*st be !en o$ $irst1#lass brains an%
in%o!itable #o*rage+ I$ t&e str*ggle on be&al$ o$ a 3eltans#&&a**ng is not #on%*#te% b" !en o$ &eroi# spirit (&o are
rea%" to sa#ri$i#e, eer"t&ing, (it&in a s&ort (&ile it (ill be#o!e i!possible to $in% real $ig&ting $ollo(ers (&o are rea%"
to la" %o(n t&eir lies $or t&e #a*se+ A !an (&o $ig&ts onl" $or &is o(n e5isten#e &as not !*#& le$t oer $or t&e seri#e o$
t&e #o!!*nit"+
In or%er to se#*re t&e #on%itions t&at are ne#essar" $or s*##ess, eer"bo%" #on#erne% !*st be !a%e to *n%erstan% t&at t&e
ne( !oe!ent loo,s to posterit" $or its &ono*r an% glor" b*t t&at it &as no re#o!pense to o$$er to t&e present1%a"
!e!bers+ I$ a !oe!ent s&o*l% o$$er a large n*!ber o$ positions an% o$$i#es t&at are easil" a##essible t&e n*!ber o$
*n(ort&" #an%i%ates a%!itte% to !e!bers&ip (ill be #onstantl" on t&e in#rease an% eent*all" a %a" (ill #o!e (&en t&ere
(ill be s*#& a prepon%eran#e o$ politi#al pro$iteers a!ong t&e !e!bers&ip o$ a s*##ess$*l Part" t&at t&e #o!batants (&o
bore t&e br*nt o$ t&e battle in t&e earlier stages o$ t&e !oe!ent #an no( s#ar#el" re#ogni>e t&eir o(n Part" an% !a" be
e0e#te% b" t&e later arrials as *n(ante% ballast+ T&ere(it& t&e !oe!ent (ill no longer &ae a !ission to $*l$il+
On#e t&e Pan1Aer!anists %e#i%e% to #ollaborate (it& Parlia!ent t&e" (ere no longer lea%ers an% #o!batants in a pop*lar
!oe!ent, b*t !erel" parlia!entarians+ T&*s t&e )oe!ent san, to t&e #o!!on politi#al part" leel o$ t&e %a" an% no
longer &a% t&e strengt& to $a#e a &ostile $ate an% %e$" t&e ris, o$ !art"r%o!+ Instea% o$ $ig&ting, t&e Pan1Aer!an lea%ers
$ell into t&e &abit o$ tal,ing an% negotiating+ T&e ne( parlia!entarians soon $o*n% t&at it (as a !ore satis$a#tor", be#a*se
less ris,", (a" o$ $*l$illing t&eir tas, i$ t&e" (o*l% %e$en% t&e ne( 3eltans#&&a**ng (it& t&e spirit*al (eapon o$
parlia!entar" r&etori# rat&er t&an ta,e *p a $ig&t in (&i#& t&e" pla#e% t&eir lies in %anger, t&e o*t#o!e o$ (&i#& also
(as *n#ertain an% een at t&e best #o*l% o$$er no prospe#t o$ personal gain $or t&e!seles+
3&en t&e" &a% ta,en t&eir seats in Parlia!ent t&eir a%&erents o*tsi%e &ope% an% (aite% $or !ira#les to &appen+ .at*rall"
no s*#& !ira#les &appene% or #o*l% &appen+ 3&ere*pon t&e a%&erents o$ t&e !oe!ent soon gre( i!patient, be#a*se
reports t&e" rea% abo*t t&eir o(n %ep*ties %i% not in t&e least #o!e *p to (&at &a% been e5pe#te% (&en t&e" ote% $or
t&ese %ep*ties at t&e ele#tions+ T&e reason $or t&is (as not $ar to see,+ It (as %*e to t&e $a#t t&at an *n$rien%l" Press
re$raine% $ro! giing a tr*e a##o*nt o$ (&at t&e Pan1Aer!an representaties o$ t&e people (ere a#t*all" %oing+
A##or%ing as t&e ne( %ep*ties got to li,e t&is !il% $or! o$ Mreol*tionar" str*ggle in Parlia!ent an% in t&e proin#ial
%iets t&e" gra%*all" be#a!e rel*#tant to res*!e t&e !ore &a>ar%o*s (or, o$ e5po*n%ing t&e prin#iples o$ t&e !oe!ent
be$ore t&e broa% !asses o$ t&e people+
)ass !eetings in p*bli# be#a!e !ore an% !ore rare, t&o*g& t&ese are t&e onl" !eans o$ e5er#ising a reall" e$$e#tie
in$l*en#e on t&e peopleC be#a*se &ere t&e in$l*en#e #o!es $ro! %ire#t personal #onta#t an% in t&is (a" t&e s*pport o$ large
se#tions o$ t&e people #an be obtaine%+
3&en t&e tables on (&i#& t&e spea,ers *se% to stan% in t&e great beer1&alls, a%%ressing an asse!bl" o$ t&o*san%s, (ere
%eserte% $or t&e parlia!entar" trib*ne an% t&e spee#&es (ere no longer a%%resse% to t&e people %ire#tl" b*t to t&e so1#alle%
M#&osen representaties, t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent lost its pop*lar #&ara#ter an% in a little (&ile %egenerate% to t&e
leel o$ a !ore or less serio*s #l*b (&ere proble!s o$ t&e %a" are %is#*sse% a#a%e!i#all"+
T&e (rong i!pression #reate% b" t&e Press (as no longer #orre#te% b" personal #onta#t (it& t&e people t&ro*g& p*bli#
!eetings, (&ereb" t&e in%ii%*al representaties !ig&t &ae gien a tr*e a##o*nt o$ t&eir a#tiities+ T&e $inal res*lt o$ t&is
negle#t (as t&at t&e (or% MPan1Aer!an #a!e to &ae an *npleasant so*n% in t&e ears o$ t&e !asses+
T&e ,nig&ts o$ t&e pen an% t&e literar" snobs o$ to1%a" s&o*l% be !a%e to reali>e t&at t&e great trans$or!ations (&i#& &ae
ta,en pla#e in t&is (orl% (ere neer #on%*#te% b" a goose/*ill+ .o+ T&e tas, o$ t&e pen !*st al(a"s be t&at o$ presenting
t&e t&eoreti#al #on#epts (&i#& !otiate s*#& #&anges+ T&e $or#e (&i#& &as eer an% al(a"s set in !otion great &istori#al
aalan#&es o$ religio*s an% politi#al !oe!ents is t&e !agi# po(er o$ t&e spo,en (or%+
T&e broa% !asses o$ a pop*lation are !ore a!enable to t&e appeal o$ r&etori# t&an to an" ot&er $or#e+ All great
!oe!ents are pop*lar !oe!ents+ T&e" are t&e ol#ani# er*ptions o$ &*!an passions an% e!otions, stirre% into a#tiit"
b" t&e r*t&less Ao%%ess o$ =istress or b" t&e tor#& o$ t&e spo,en (or% #ast into t&e !i%st o$ t&e people+ In no #ase &ae
great !oe!ents been set a$oot b" t&e s"r*p" e$$*sions o$ Tst&eti# littQrate*rs an% %ra(ing1roo! &eroes+
T&e %oo! o$ a nation #an be aerte% onl" b" a stor! o$ glo(ing passionC b*t onl" t&ose (&o are passionate t&e!seles #an
aro*se passion in ot&ers+ It is onl" t&ro*g& t&e #apa#it" $or passionate $eeling t&at #&osen lea%ers #an (iel% t&e po(er o$
t&e (or% (&i#&, li,e &a!!er blo(s, (ill open t&e %oor to t&e &earts o$ t&e people+
He (&o is not #apable o$ passionate $eeling an% spee#& (as neer #&osen b" Proi%en#e to be t&e &eral% o$ its (ill+
T&ere$ore a (riter s&o*l% sti#, to &is in,1bottle an% b*s" &i!sel$ (it& t&eoreti#al /*estions i$ &e &as t&e re/*isite abilit"
an% ,no(le%ge+ He &as not been born or #&osen to be a lea%er+
A !oe!ent (&i#& &as great en%s to a#&iee !*st #are$*ll" g*ar% against t&e %anger o$ losing #onta#t (it& t&e !asses o$
t&e people+ Eer" proble! en#o*ntere% !*st be e5a!ine% $ro! t&is ie(point $irst o$ all an% t&e %e#ision to be !a%e !*st
al(a"s be in &ar!on" (it& t&is prin#iple+
T&e !oe!ent !*st aoi% eer"t&ing (&i#& !ig&t lessen or (ea,en its po(er o$ in$l*en#ing t&e !assesC not $ro!
%e!agogi#al !oties b*t be#a*se o$ t&e si!ple $a#t t&at no great i%ea, no !atter &o( s*bli!e an% e5alte% it !a" appear,
#an be reali>e% in pra#ti#e (it&o*t t&e e$$e#tie po(er (&i#& resi%es in t&e pop*lar !asses+ Stern realit" alone !*st !ar,
t&e (a" to t&e goal+ To be *n(illing to (al, t&e roa% o$ &ar%s&ip !eans, onl" too o$ten in t&is (orl%, t&e total
ren*n#iation o$ o*r ai!s an% p*rposes, (&et&er t&at ren*n#iation be #ons#io*sl" (ille% or not+
T&e !o!ent t&e Pan1Aer!an lea%ers, in irt*e o$ t&eir a##eptan#e o$ t&e parlia!entar" prin#iple, !oe% t&e #entre o$
t&eir a#tiities a(a" $ro! t&e people an% into Parlia!ent, in t&at !o!ent t&e" sa#ri$i#e% t&e $*t*re $or t&e sa,e o$ a #&eap
!o!entar" s*##ess+ T&e" #&ose t&e easier (a" in t&e str*ggle an% in %oing so ren%ere% t&e!seles *n(ort&" o$ t&e $inal
i#tor"+
3&ile in Bienna I *se% to pon%er serio*sl" oer t&ese t(o /*estions, an% I sa( t&at t&e !ain reason $or t&e #ollapse o$ t&e
Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent la" in t&e $a#t t&at t&ese er" /*estions (ere not rig&tl" appre#iate%+ To !" !in% at t&at ti!e t&e
)oe!ent see!e% #&osen to ta,e in its &an%s t&e lea%ers&ip o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent in A*stria+
T&ese $irst t(o bl*n%ers (&i#& le% to t&e %o(n$all o$ t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent (ere er" #losel" #onne#te% (it& one
anot&er+ Fa*lt" re#ognition o$ t&e inner %riing $or#es t&at *rge great !oe!ents $or(ar% le% to an ina%e/*ate
appre#iation o$ t&e part (&i#& t&e broa% !asses pla" in bringing abo*t s*#& #&anges+ T&e res*lt (as t&at too little
attention (as gien to t&e so#ial proble! an% t&at t&e atte!pts !a%e b" t&e !oe!ent to #apt*re t&e !in%s o$ t&e lo(er
#lasses (ere too $e( an% too (ea,+ Anot&er res*lt (as t&e a##eptan#e o$ t&e parlia!entar" poli#", (&i#& &a% a si!ilar
e$$e#t in regar% to t&e i!portan#e o$ t&e !asses+
I$ t&ere &a% been a proper appre#iation o$ t&e tre!en%o*s po(ers o$ en%*ran#e al(a"s s&o(n b" t&e !asses in
reol*tionar" !oe!ents a %i$$erent attit*%e to(ar%s t&e so#ial proble! (o*l% &ae been ta,en, an% also a %i$$erent poli#"
in t&e !atter o$ propagan%a+ T&en t&e #entre o$ grait" o$ t&e !oe!ent (o*l% not &ae been trans$erre% to t&e
Parlia!ent b*t (o*l% &ae re!aine% in t&e (or,s&ops an% in t&e streets+
T&ere (as a t&ir% !ista,e, (&i#& also &a% its roots in t&e $ail*re to *n%erstan% t&e (ort& o$ t&e !asses+ T&e !asses are
$irst set in !otion, along a %e$inite %ire#tion, b" !en o$ s*perior talentsC b*t t&en t&ese !asses on#e in !otion are li,e a
$l"(&eel inas!*#& as t&e" s*stain t&e !o!ent*! an% stea%" balan#e o$ t&e o$$ensie+
T&e poli#" o$ t&e Pan1Aer!an lea%ers in %e#i%ing to #arr" t&ro*g& a %i$$i#*lt $ig&t against t&e Cat&oli# C&*r#& #an be
e5plaine% onl" b" attrib*ting it to an ina%e/*ate *n%erstan%ing o$ t&e spirit*al #&ara#ter o$ t&e people+
T&e reasons (&" t&e ne( Part" engage% in a iolent #a!paign against Ro!e (ere as $ollo(s4
As soon as t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg &a% %e$initel" %e#i%e% to trans$or! A*stria into a Sla State all sorts o$ !eans (ere
a%opte% (&i#& see!e% in an" (a" seri#eable $or t&at p*rpose+ T&e Habsb*rg r*lers &a% no s#r*ples o$ #ons#ien#e abo*t
e5ploiting een religio*s instit*tions in t&e seri#e o$ t&is ne( MState I%ea+ One o$ t&e !an" !et&o%s t&*s e!plo"e% (as
t&e *se o$ C>e#& paris&es an% t&eir #lerg" as instr*!ents $or sprea%ing Sla &ege!on" t&ro*g&o*t A*stria+ T&is
pro#ee%ing (as #arrie% o*t as $ollo(s4
Paris& priests o$ C>e#& nationalit" (ere appointe% in p*rel" Aer!an %istri#ts+ Ara%*all" b*t stea%il" p*s&ing $or(ar% t&e
interests o$ t&e C>e#& people be$ore t&ose o$ t&e C&*r#&, t&e paris&es an% t&eir priests be#a!e generatie #ells in t&e
pro#ess o$ %e1Aer!ani>ation+
Un$ort*natel" t&e Aer!an1A*strian #lerg" #o!pletel" $aile% to #o*nter t&is pro#e%*re+ .ot onl" (ere t&e" in#apable o$
ta,ing a si!ilar initiatie on t&e Aer!an si%e, b*t t&e" s&o(e% t&e!seles *nable to !eet t&e C>e#& o$$ensie (it&
a%e/*ate resistan#e+ T&e Aer!an ele!ent (as a##or%ingl" p*s&e% ba#,(ar%s, slo(l" b*t stea%il", t&ro*g& t&e perersion
o$ religio*s belie$ $or politi#al en%s on t&e one si%e, an% t&e -a#, o$ proper resistan#e on t&e ot&er si%e+ S*#& (ere t&e
ta#ti#s *se% in %ealing (it& t&e s!aller proble!sC b*t t&ose *se% in %ealing (it& t&e larger proble!s (ere not er"
%i$$erent+
T&e anti1Aer!an ai!s p*rs*e% b" t&e Habsb*rgs, espe#iall" t&ro*g& t&e instr*!entalit" o$ t&e &ig&er #lerg", %i% not !eet
(it& an" igoro*s resistan#e, (&ile t&e #leri#al representaties o$ t&e Aer!an interests (it&%re( #o!pletel" to t&e rear+
T&e general i!pression #reate% #o*l% not be ot&er t&an t&at t&e Cat&oli# #lerg" as s*#& (ere grossl" negle#ting t&e rig&ts
o$ t&e Aer!an pop*lation+
T&ere$ore it loo,e% as i$ t&e Cat&oli# C&*r#& (as not in s"!pat&" (it& t&e Aer!an people b*t t&at it *n0*stl" s*pporte%
t&eir a%ersaries+ T&e root o$ t&e (&ole eil, espe#iall" a##or%ing to S#&Jnerers opinion, la" in t&e $a#t t&at t&e lea%ers&ip
o$ t&e Cat&oli# C&*r#& (as not in Aer!an", an% t&at t&is $a#t alone (as s*$$i#ient reason $or t&e &ostile attit*%e o$ t&e
C&*r#& to(ar%s t&e %e!an%s o$ o*r people+
T&e so1#alle% #*lt*ral proble! re#e%e% al!ost #o!pletel" into t&e ba#,gro*n%, as (as generall" t&e #ase eer"(&ere
t&ro*g&o*t A*stria at t&at ti!e+ In ass*!ing a &ostile attit*%e to(ar%s t&e Cat&oli# C&*r#&, t&e Pan1Aer!an lea%ers (ere
in$l*en#e% not so !*#& b" t&e C&*r#&s position in /*estions o$ s#ien#e b*t prin#ipall" b" t&e $a#t t&at t&e C&*r#& %i% not
%e$en% Aer!an rig&ts, as it s&o*l% &ae %one, b*t al(a"s s*pporte% t&ose (&o en#roa#&e% on t&ese rig&ts, espe#iall" t&en
Slas+
Aeorge S#&Jnerer (as not a !an (&o %i% t&ings b" &ales+ He (ent into battle against t&e C&*r#& be#a*se &e (as
#onin#e% t&at t&is (as t&e onl" (a" in (&i#& t&e Aer!an people #o*l% be sae%+ T&e 'os1on1Ro! FA(a" $ro! Ro!eG
)oe!ent see!e% t&e !ost $or!i%able, b*t at t&e sa!e ti!e !ost %i$$i#*lt, !et&o% o$ atta#,ing an% %estro"ing t&e
a%ersar"s #ita%el+ S#&Jnerer beliee% t&at i$ t&is !oe!ent #o*l% be #arrie% t&ro*g& s*##ess$*ll" t&e *n$ort*nate
%iision bet(een t&e t(o great religio*s %eno!inations in Aer!an" (o*l% be (ipe% o*t an% t&at t&e inner $or#es o$ t&e
Aer!an E!pire an% .ation (o*l% be enor!o*sl" en&an#e% b" s*#& a i#tor"+
8*t t&e pre!ises as (ell as t&e #on#l*sions in t&is #ase (ere bot& erroneo*s+
It (as *n%o*bte%l" tr*e t&at t&e national po(ers o$ resistan#e, in eer"t&ing #on#erning Aer!anis! as s*#&, (ere !*#&
(ea,er a!ong t&e Aer!an Cat&oli# #lerg" t&an a!ong t&eir non1Aer!an #on$rUres, espe#iall" t&e C>e#&s+ An% onl" an
ignorant person #o*l% be *na(are o$ t&e $a#t t&at it s#ar#el" eer entere% t&e !in% o$ t&e Aer!an #lerg" to ta,e t&e
o$$ensie on be&al$ o$ Aer!an interests+
8*t at t&e sa!e ti!e eer"bo%" (&o is not blin% to $a#ts !*st a%!it t&at all t&is s&o*l% be attrib*te% to a #&ara#teristi#
*n%er (&i#& (e Aer!ans &ae all been %oo!e% to s*$$er+ T&is #&ara#teristi# s&o(s itsel$ in o*r ob0e#tie (a" o$ regar%ing
o*r o(n nationalit", as i$ it (ere so!et&ing t&at la" o*tsi%e o$ *s+
3&ile t&e C>e#& priest a%opte% a s*b0e#tie attit*%e to(ar%s &is o(n people an% onl" an ob0e#tie attit*%e to(ar%s t&e
C&*r#&, t&e Aer!an paris& priest s&o(e% a s*b0e#tie %eotion to &is C&*r#& an% re!aine% ob0e#tie in regar% to &is
nation+ It is a p&eno!enon (&i#&, *n$ort*natel" $or *s, #an be obsere% o##*rring in e5a#tl" t&e sa!e (a" in t&o*san%s o$
ot&er #ases+
It is b" no !eans a pe#*liar in&eritan#e $ro! Cat&oli#is!C b*t it is so!et&ing in *s (&i#& %oes not ta,e long to gna( t&e
itals o$ al!ost eer" instit*tion, espe#iall" instit*tions o$ State an% t&ose (&i#& &ae i%eal ai!s+ Ta,e, $or e5a!ple, t&e
attit*%e o$ o*r State o$$i#ials in regar% to t&e e$$orts !a%e $or bringing abo*t a national res*rgen#e an% #o!pare t&at
attit*%e (it& t&e stan% (&i#& t&e p*bli# o$$i#ials o$ an" ot&er nation (o*l% &ae ta,en in s*#& a #ase+ Or is it to be
beliee% t&at t&e !ilitar" o$$i#ers o$ an" ot&er #o*ntr" in t&e (orl% (o*l% re$*se to #o!e $or(ar% on be&al$ o$ t&e national
aspirations, b*t (o*l% rat&er &i%e be&in% t&e p&rase MA*t&orit" o$ t&e State, as &as been t&e #ase in o*r #o*ntr" %*ring
t&e last $ie "ears an% &as een been %ee!e% a !eritorio*s attit*%e@ Or let *s ta,e anot&er e5a!ple+ In regar% to t&e
-e(is& proble!, %o not t&e t(o C&ristian %eno!inations ta,e *p a stan%point to1%a" (&i#& %oes not respon% to t&e
national e5igen#ies or een t&e interests o$ religion@ Consi%er t&e attit*%e o$ a -e(is& Rabbi to(ar%s an" /*estion, een
one o$ /*ite insigni$i#ant i!portan#e, #on#erning t&e -e(s as a ra#e, an% #o!pare &is attit*%e (it& t&at o$ t&e !a0orit" o$
o*r #lerg", (&et&er Cat&oli# or Protestant+
3e obsere t&e sa!e p&eno!enon (&ereer it is a !atter o$ stan%ing *p $or so!e abstra#t i%ea+
MA*t&orit" o$ t&e State, M=e!o#ra#", MPa#i$is!, MInternational Soli%arit", et#+, all s*#& notions be#o!e rigi%, %og!ati#
#on#epts (it& *sC an% t&e !ore ital t&e general ne#essities o$ t&e nation, t&e !ore (ill t&e" be 0*%ge% e5#l*siel" in t&e
lig&t o$ t&ose #on#epts+
T&is *n$ort*nate &abit o$ loo,ing at all national %e!an%s $ro! t&e ie(point o$ a pre1#on#eie% notion !a,es it
i!possible $or *s to see t&e s*b0e#tie si%e o$ a t&ing (&i#& ob0e#tiel" #ontra%i#ts ones o(n %o#trine+ It $inall" lea%s to a
#o!plete reersion in t&e relation o$ !eans to an en%+ An" atte!pt at a national reial (ill be oppose% i$ t&e preli!inar"
#on%ition o$ s*#& a reial be t&at a ba% an% perni#io*s regi!e !*st $irst o$ all be oert&ro(nC be#a*se s*#& an a#tion (ill
be #onsi%ere% as a iolation o$ t&e MA*t&orit" o$ t&e State+ In t&e e"es o$ t&ose (&o ta,e t&at stan%point, t&e MA*t&orit" o$
t&e State is not a !eans (&i#& is t&ere to sere an en% b*t rat&er, to t&e !in% o$ t&e %og!ati# belieer in ob0e#tiit", it is
an en% in itsel$C an% &e loo,s *pon t&at as s*$$i#ient apolog" $or &is o(n !iserable e5isten#e+ S*#& people (o*l% raise an
o*t#r", i$, $or instan#e, an"one s&o*l% atte!pt to set *p a %i#tators&ip, een t&o*g& t&e !an responsible $or it (ere
Fre%eri#, t&e Areat an% een t&o*g& t&e politi#ians $or t&e ti!e being, (&o #onstit*te% t&e parlia!entar" !a0orit", (ere
s!all an% in#o!petent !en or !a"be een on a lo(er gra%e o$ in$eriorit"C be#a*se to s*#& sti#,lers $or abstra#t prin#iples
t&e la( o$ %e!o#ra#" is !ore sa#re% t&an t&e (el$are o$ t&e nation+ In a##or%an#e (it& &is prin#iples, one o$ t&ese gentr"
(ill %e$en% t&e (orst ,in% o$ t"rann", t&o*g& it !a" be lea%ing a people to r*in, be#a*se it is t&e $leeting e!bo%i!ent o$
t&e MA*t&orit" o$ t&e State, an% anot&er (ill re0e#t een a &ig&l" bene$i#ent goern!ent i$ it s&o*l% &appen not to be in
a##or% (it& &is notion o$ M%e!o#ra#"+
In t&e sa!e (a" o*r Aer!an pa#i$ist (ill re!ain silent (&ile t&e nation is groaning *n%er an oppression (&i#& is being
e5er#ise% b" a sang*inar" !ilitar" po(er, (&en t&is state o$ a$$airs gies rise to a#tie resistan#eC be#a*se s*#& resistan#e
!eans t&e e!plo"!ent o$ p&"si#al $or#e, (&i#& is against t&e spirit o$ t&e pa#i$ist asso#iations+ T&e Aer!an International
So#ialist !a" be roo,e% an% pl*n%ere% b" &is #o!ra%es in all t&e ot&er #o*ntries o$ t&e (orl% in t&e na!e o$ Msoli%arit",
b*t &e respon%s (it& $raternal ,in%ness an% neer t&in,s o$ tr"ing to get &is o(n ba#,, or een o$ %e$en%ing &i!sel$+ An%
(&"@ 8e#a*se &e is a 1 Aer!an+
It !a" be *npleasant to %(ell on s*#& tr*t&s, b*t i$ so!et&ing is to be #&ange% (e !*st start b" %iagnosing t&e %isease+
T&e p&eno!enon (&i#& I &ae 0*st %es#ribe% also a##o*nts $or t&e $eeble !anner in (&i#& Aer!an interests are pro!ote%
an% %e$en%e% b" a se#tion o$ t&e #lerg"+
S*#& #on%*#t is not t&e !ani$estation o$ a !ali#io*s intent, nor is it t&e o*t#o!e o$ or%ers gien $ro! Maboe, as (e sa"C
b*t s*#& a la#, o$ national grit an% %eter!ination is %*e to %e$e#ts in o*r e%*#ational s"ste!+ For, instea% o$ in#*l#ating in
t&e "o*t& a liel" sense o$ t&eir Aer!an nationalit", t&e ai! o$ t&e e%*#ational s"ste! is to !a,e t&e "o*t& prostrate
t&e!seles in &o!age to t&e i%ea, as i$ t&e i%ea (ere an i%ol+
T&e e%*#ation (&i#& !a,es t&e! t&e %eotees o$ s*#& abstra#t notions as M=e!o#ra#", MInternational So#ialis!,
MPa#i$is!, et#+, is so &ar%1an%1$ast an% e5#l*sie an%, operating as it %oes $ro! (it&in o*t(ar%s, is so p*rel" s*b0e#tie
t&at in $or!ing t&eir general pi#t*re o$ o*tsi%e li$e as a (&ole t&e" are $*n%a!entall" in$l*en#e% b" t&ese a priori notions+
8*t, on t&e ot&er &an%, t&e attit*%e to(ar%s t&eir o(n Aer!an nationalit" &as been er" ob0e#tie $ro! "o*t& *p(ar%s+
T&e Pa#i$ist 1 in so $ar as &e is a Aer!an 1 (&o s*rren%ers &i!sel$ s*b0e#tiel", bo%" an% so*l, to t&e %i#tates o$ &is
%og!ati# prin#iples, (ill al(a"s $irst #onsi%er t&e ob0e#tie rig&t or (rong o$ a sit*ation (&en %anger t&reatens &is o(n
people, een t&o*g& t&at %anger be grae an% *n0*stl" (ro*g&t $ro! o*tsi%e+ 8*t &e (ill neer ta,e &is stan% in t&e ran,s
o$ &is o(n people an% $ig&t $or an% (it& t&e! $ro! t&e s&eer instin#t o$ sel$1preseration+
Anot&er e5a!ple !a" $*rt&er ill*strate &o( $ar t&is applies to t&e %i$$erent religio*s %eno!inations+ In so $ar as its origin
an% tra%ition are base% on Aer!an i%eals, Protestantis! o$ itsel$ %e$en%s t&ose i%eals better+ 8*t it $ails t&e !o!ent it is
#alle% *pon to %e$en% national interests (&i#& %o not belong to t&e sp&ere o$ its i%eals an% tra%itional %eelop!ent, or
(&i#&, $or so!e reason or ot&er, !a" be re0e#te% b" t&at sp&ere+
T&ere$ore Protestantis! (ill al(a"s ta,e its part in pro!oting Aer!an i%eals as $ar as #on#erns !oral integrit" or national
e%*#ation, (&en t&e Aer!an spirit*al being or lang*age or spirit*al $ree%o! are to be %e$en%e%4 be#a*se t&ese represent
t&e prin#iples on (&i#& Protestantis! itsel$ is gro*n%e%+ 8*t t&is sa!e Protestantis! iolentl" opposes eer" atte!pt to
res#*e t&e nation $ro! t&e #l*t#&es o$ its !ortal ene!"C be#a*se t&e Protestant attit*%e to(ar%s t&e -e(s is !ore or less
rigi%l" an% %og!ati#all" $i5e%+ An% "et t&is is t&e $irst proble! (&i#& &as to be sole%, *nless all atte!pts to bring abo*t a
Aer!an res*rgen#e or to raise t&e leel o$ t&e nations stan%ing are %oo!e% to t*rn o*t nonsensi#al an% i!possible+
=*ring !" so0o*rn in Bienna I &a% a!ple leis*re an% opport*nit" to st*%" t&is proble! (it&o*t allo(ing an" pre0*%i#es to
intereneC an% in !" %ail" inter#o*rse (it& people I (as able to establis& t&e #orre#tness o$ t&e opinion I $or!e% b" t&e test
o$ t&o*san%s o$ instan#es+
In t&is $o#*s (&ere t&e greatest arieties o$ nationalit" &a% #onerge% it (as /*ite #lear an% open to eer"bo%" to see t&at
t&e Aer!an pa#i$ist (as al(a"s an% e5#l*siel" t&e one (&o trie% to #onsi%er t&e interests o$ &is o(n nation ob0e#tiel"C
b*t "o* #o*l% neer $in% a -e( (&o too, a si!ilar attit*%e to(ar%s &is o(n ra#e+ F*rt&er!ore, I $o*n% t&at onl" t&e
Aer!an So#ialist is Minternational in t&e sense t&at &e $eels &i!sel$ oblige% not to %e!an% 0*sti#e $or &is o(n people in
an" ot&er !anner t&an b" (&ining an% (ailing to &is international #o!ra%es+ .obo%" #o*l% eer reproa#& C>e#&s or Poles
or ot&er nations (it& s*#& #on%*#t+ In s&ort, een at t&at ti!e, alrea%" I re#ogni>e% t&at t&is eil is onl" partl" a res*lt o$
t&e %o#trines ta*g&t b" So#ialis!, Pa#i$is!, et#+, b*t !ainl" t&e res*lt o$ o*r totall" ina%e/*ate s"ste! o$ e%*#ation, t&e
%e$e#ts o$ (&i#& are responsible $or t&e la#, o$ %eotion to o*r o(n national i%eals+
T&ere$ore t&e $irst t&eoreti#al arg*!ent a%an#e% b" t&e Pan1Aer!an lea%ers as t&e basis o$ t&eir o$$ensie against
Cat&oli#is! (as /*ite entenable+
T&e onl" (a" to re!e%" t&e eil I &ae been spea,ing o$ is to train t&e Aer!ans $ro! "o*t& *p(ar%s to an absol*te
re#ognition o$ t&e rig&ts o$ t&eir o(n people, instea% o$ poisoning t&eir !in%s, (&ile t&e" are still onl" #&il%ren, (it& t&e
ir*s o$ t&is #*rbe% Mob0e#tiit", een in !atters #on#erning t&e er" !aintenan#e o$ o*r o(n e5isten#e+ T&e res*lt o$ t&is
(o*l% be t&at t&e Cat&oli# in Aer!an", 0*st as in Irelan%, Polan% or Fran#e, (ill be a Aer!an $irst an% $ore!ost+ 8*t all
t&is pres*pposes a ra%i#al #&ange in t&e national goern!ent+
T&e strongest proo$ in s*pport o$ !" #ontention is $*rnis&e% b" (&at too, pla#e at t&at &istori#al 0*n#t*re (&en o*r people
(ere #alle% $or t&e last ti!e be$ore t&e trib*nal o$ Histor" to %e$en% t&eir o(n e5isten#e, in a li$e1or1%eat& str*ggle+
As long as t&ere (as no la#, o$ lea%ers&ip in t&e &ig&er #ir#les, t&e people $*l$ille% t&eir %*t" an% obligations to an
oer(&el!ing e5tent+ 3&et&er Protestant pastor or Cat&oli# priest, ea#& %i% &is er" *t!ost in &elping o*r po(ers o$
resistan#e to &ol% o*t, not onl" in t&e tren#&es b*t also, an% een !ore so, at &o!e+ =*ring t&ose "ears, an% espe#iall"
%*ring t&e $irst o*tb*rst o$ ent&*sias!, in bot& religio*s #a!ps t&ere (as one *n%ii%e% an% sa#re% Aer!an E!pire $or
(&ose preseration an% $*t*re e5isten#e t&e" all pra"e% to Heaen+
T&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent in A*stria o*g&t to &ae as,e% itsel$ t&is one /*estion4 Is t&e !aintenan#e o$ t&e Aer!an
ele!ent in A*stria possible or not, as long as t&at ele!ent re!ains (it&in t&e $ol% o$ t&e Cat&oli# Fait&@ I$ t&at /*estion
s&o*l% &ae been ans(ere% in t&e a$$ir!atie, t&en t&e politi#al Part" s&o*l% not &ae !e%%le% in religio*s an%
%eno!inational /*estions+ 8*t i$ t&e /*estion &a% to be ans(ere% in t&e negatie, t&en a religio*s re$or!ation s&o*l% &ae
been starte% an% not a politi#al part" !oe!ent+
An"one (&o beliees t&at a religio*s re$or!ation #an be a#&iee% t&ro*g& t&e agen#" o$ a politi#al organi>ation s&o(s
t&at &e &as no i%ea o$ t&e %eelop!ent o$ religio*s #on#eptions an% %o#trines o$ $ait& an% &o( t&ese are gien pra#ti#al
e$$e#t b" t&e C&*r#&+
.o !an #an sere t(o !asters+ An% I &ol% t&at t&e $o*n%ation or oert&ro( o$ a religion &as $ar greater #onse/*en#es
t&an t&e $o*n%ation or oert&ro( o$ a State, to sa" not&ing o$ a Part"+
It is no arg*!ent to t&e #ontrar" to sa" t&at t&e atta#,s (ere onl" %e$ensie !eas*res against atta#,s $ro! t&e ot&er si%e+
Un%o*bte%l" t&ere &ae al(a"s been *ns#r*p*lo*s rog*es (&o %i% not &esitate to %egra%e religion to t&e base *ses o$
politi#s+ .earl" al(a"s s*#& a people &a% not&ing else in t&eir !in%s e5#ept to !a,e a b*siness o$ religions an% politi#s+
8*t on t&e ot&er &an% it (o*l% be (rong to &ol% religion itsel$, or a religio*s %eno!ination, responsible $or a n*!ber o$
ras#als (&o e5ploit t&e C&*r#& $or t&eir o(n base interests 0*st as t&e" (o*l% e5ploit an"t&ing else in (&i#& t&e" &a% a
part+
.ot&ing #o*l% be !ore to t&e taste o$ one o$ t&ese parlia!entar" lo*ngers an% tri#,sters t&an to be able to $in% a s#apegoat
$or &is politi#al s&arp1pra#ti#e 1 a$ter t&e eent, o$ #o*rse+ T&e !o!ent religion or a religio*s %eno!ination is atta#,e%
an% !a%e responsible $or &is personal !is%ee%s t&is s&re(% $ello( (ill raise a ro( at on#e an% #all t&e (orl% to (itness
&o( 0*sti$ie% &e (as in a#ting as &e %i%, pro#lai!ing t&at &e an% &is elo/*en#e alone &ae sae% religion an% t&e C&*r#&+
T&e p*bli#, (&i#& is !ostl" st*pi% an% &as a er" s&ort !e!or", is not #apable o$ re#ogni>ing t&e real instigator o$ t&e
/*arrel in t&e !i%st o$ t&e t*r!oil t&at &as been raise%+ Fre/*entl" it %oes not re!e!ber t&e beginning o$ t&e $ig&t an% so
t&e rog*e gets b" (it& &is st*nt+
A #*nning $ello( o$ t&at sort is /*ite (ell a(are t&at &is !is%ee%s &ae not&ing to %o (it& religion+ An% so &e (ill la*g&
*p &is sleee all t&e !ore &eartil" (&en &is &onest b*t artless a%ersar" loses t&e ga!e an%, one %a" losing all $ait& in
&*!anit", retires $ro! t&e a#tiities o$ p*bli# li$e+
8*t $ro! anot&er ie(point also it (o*l% be (rong to !a,e religion, or t&e C&*r#& as s*#&, responsible $or t&e !is%ee%s
o$ in%ii%*als+ I$ one #o!pares t&e !agnit*%e o$ t&e organi>ation, as it stan%s isible to eer" e"e, (it& t&e aerage
(ea,ness o$ &*!an nat*re (e s&all &ae to a%!it t&at t&e proportion o$ goo% to ba% is !ore $ao*rable &ere t&an
an"(&ere else+ A!ong t&e priests t&ere !a", o$ #o*rse, be so!e (&o *se t&eir sa#re% #alling to $*rt&er t&eir politi#al
a!bitions+ T&ere are #lerg" (&o *n$ort*natel" $orget t&at in t&e politi#al !VlQe t&e" o*g&t to be t&e pala%ins o$ t&e !ore
s*bli!e tr*t&s an% not t&e abettors o$ $alse&oo% an% slan%er+ 8*t $or ea#& one o$ t&ese *n(ort&" spe#i!ens (e #an $in% a
t&o*san% or !ore (&o $*l$il t&eir !ission nobl" as t&e tr*st(ort&" g*ar%ians o$ so*ls an% (&o to(er aboe t&e leel o$ o*r
#orr*pt epo#&, as little islan%s aboe t&e seas(a!p+
I #annot #on%e!n t&e C&*r#& as s*#&, an% I s&o*l% $eel /*ite as little 0*sti$ie% in %oing so i$ so!e %eprae% person in t&e
robe o$ a priest #o!!its so!e o$$en#e against t&e !oral la(+ .or s&o*l% I $or a !o!ent t&in, o$ bla!ing t&e C&*r#& i$
one o$ its inn*!erable !e!bers betra"s an% bes!ir#&es &is #o!patriots, espe#iall" not in epo#&s (&en s*#& #on%*#t is
/*ite #o!!on+ 3e !*st not $orget, parti#*larl" in o*r %a", t&at $or one s*#& Ep&ialtes :G t&ere are a t&o*san% (&ose
&earts blee% in s"!pat&" (it& t&eir people %*ring t&ese "ears o$ !is$ort*ne an% (&o, toget&er (it& t&e best o$ o*r nation,
"earn $or t&e &o*r (&en $ort*ne (ill s!ile on *s again+
I$ it be ob0e#te% t&at &ere (e are #on#erne% not (it& t&e pett" proble!s o$ eer"%a" li$e b*t prin#ipall" (it& $*n%a!ental
tr*t&s an% /*estions o$ %og!a, t&e onl" (a" o$ ans(ering t&at ob0e#tion is to as, a /*estion4
=o "o* $eel t&at Proi%en#e &as #alle% "o* to pro#lai! t&e Tr*t& to t&e (orl%@ I$ so, t&en go an% %o it+ 8*t "o* o*g&t to
&ae t&e #o*rage to %o it %ire#tl" an% not *se so!e politi#al part" as "o*r !o*t&pie#eC $or in t&is (a" "o* s&ir, "o*r
o#ation+ In t&e pla#e o$ so!et&ing t&at no( e5ists an% is ba% p*t so!et&ing else t&at is better an% (ill last into t&e $*t*re+
I$ "o* la#, t&e re/*isite #o*rage or i$ "o* "o*rsel$ %o not ,no( #learl" (&at "o*r better s*bstit*te o*g&t to be, leae t&e
(&ole t&ing alone+ 8*t, (&ateer &appens, %o not tr" to rea#& t&e goal b" t&e ro*n%abo*t (a" o$ a politi#al part" i$ "o* are
not brae eno*g& to $ig&t (it& "o*r isor li$te%+
Politi#al parties &ae no rig&t to !e%%le in religio*s /*estions e5#ept (&en t&ese relate to so!et&ing t&at is alien to t&e
national (ell1being an% t&*s #al#*late% to *n%er!ine ra#ial #*sto!s an% !orals+
I$ so!e e##lesiasti#al %ignitaries s&o*l% !is*se religio*s #ere!onies or religio*s tea#&ing to in0*re t&eir o(n nation t&eir
opponents o*g&t neer to ta,e t&e sa!e roa% an% $ig&t t&e! (it& t&e sa!e (eapons+
To a politi#al lea%er t&e religio*s tea#&ings an% pra#ti#es o$ &is people s&o*l% be sa#re% an% iniolable+ Ot&er(ise &e
s&o*l% not be a states!an b*t a re$or!er, i$ &e &as t&e ne#essar" /*alities $or s*#& a !ission+
An" ot&er line o$ #on%*#t (ill lea% to %isaster, espe#iall" in Aer!an"+
In st*%"ing t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent an% its #on$li#t (it& Ro!e I (as t&en $ir!l" pers*a%e%, an% espe#iall" in t&e
#o*rse o$ later "ears, t&at b" t&eir $ail*re to *n%erstan% t&e i!portan#e o$ t&e so#ial proble! t&e Pan1Aer!anists lost t&e
s*pport o$ t&e broa% !asses, (&o are t&e in%ispensable #o!batants in s*#& a !oe!ent+ 8" entering Parlia!ent t&e Pan1
Aer!an lea%ers %eprie% t&e!seles o$ t&e great %riing $or#e (&i#& resi%es in t&e !asses an% at t&e sa!e ti!e t&e" lai%
on t&eir o(n s&o*l%ers all t&e %e$e#ts o$ t&e parlia!entar" instit*tion+ T&eir str*ggle against t&e C&*r#& !a%e t&eir
position i!possible in n*!ero*s #ir#les o$ t&e lo(er an% !i%%le #lass, (&ile at t&e sa!e ti!e it robbe% t&e! o$
inn*!erable &ig&1#lass ele!ents 1 so!e o$ t&e best in%ee% t&at t&e nation possesse%+ T&e pra#ti#al o*t#o!e o$ t&e
A*strian ;*lt*r,a!p$ (as negatie+
Alt&o*g& t&e" s*##ee%e% in (inning 177,777 !e!bers a(a" $ro! t&e C&*r#&, t&at %i% not %o !*#& &ar! to t&e latter+
T&e C&*r#& %i% not reall" nee% to s&e% an" tears oer t&ese lost s&eep, $or it lost onl" t&ose (&o &a% $or a long ti!e #ease%
to belong to it in t&eir inner &earts+ T&e %i$$eren#e bet(een t&is ne( re$or!ation an% t&e great Re$or!ation (as t&at in t&e
&istori# epo#& o$ t&e great Re$or!ation so!e o$ t&e best !e!bers le$t t&e C&*r#& be#a*se o$ religio*s #oni#tions,
(&ereas in t&is ne( re$or!ation onl" t&ose le$t (&o &a% been in%i$$erent be$ore an% (&o (ere no( in$l*en#e% b" politi#al
#onsi%erations+ Fro! t&e politi#al point o$ ie( alone t&e res*lt (as as ri%i#*lo*s as it (as %eplorable+
On#e again a politi#al !oe!ent (&i#& &a% pro!ise% so !*#& $or t&e Aer!an nation #ollapse%, be#a*se it (as not
#on%*#te% in a spirit o$ *n$lin#&ing a%&eren#e to na,e% realit", b*t lost itsel$ in $iel%s (&ere it (as bo*n% to get bro,en *p+
T&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent (o*l% neer &ae !a%e t&is !ista,e i$ it &a% properl" *n%erstoo% t&e ps"#&e o$ t&e broa%
!asses+ I$ t&e lea%ers &a% ,no(n t&at, $or ps"#&ologi#al reasons alone, it is not e5pe%ient to pla#e t(o or !ore sets o$
a%ersaries be$ore t&e !asses 1 sin#e t&at lea%s to a #o!plete splitting *p o$ t&eir $ig&ting strengt& 1 t&e" (o*l% &ae
#on#entrate% t&e $*ll an% *n%ii%e% $or#e o$ t&eir atta#, against a single a%ersar"+ .ot&ing in t&e poli#" o$ a politi#al
part" is so $ra*g&t (it& %anger as to allo( its %e#isions to be %ire#te% b" people (&o (ant to &ae t&eir $ingers in eer" pie
t&o*g& t&e" %o not ,no( &o( to #oo, t&e si!plest %is&+
8*t een t&o*g& t&ere is !*#& t&at #an reall" be sai% against t&e ario*s religio*s %eno!inations, politi#al lea%ers !*st
not $orget t&at t&e e5perien#e o$ &istor" tea#&es *s t&at no p*rel" politi#al part" in si!ilar #ir#*!stan#es eer s*##ee%e% in
bringing abo*t a religio*s re$or!ation+ One %oes not st*%" &istor" $or t&e p*rpose o$ $orgetting or !istr*sting its lessons
a$ter(ar%s, (&en t&e ti!e #o!es to appl" t&ese lessons in pra#ti#e+ It (o*l% be a !ista,e to beliee t&at in t&is parti#*lar
#ase t&ings (ere %i$$erent, so t&at t&e eternal tr*t&s o$ &istor" (ere no longer appli#able+ One learns &istor" in or%er to be
able to appl" its lessons to t&e present ti!e an% (&oeer $ails to %o t&is #annot preten% to be a politi#al lea%er+ In realit" &e
is /*ite a s*per$i#ial person or, as is !ostl" t&e #ase, a #on#eite% si!pleton (&ose goo% intentions #annot !a,e *p $or &is
in#o!peten#e in pra#ti#al a$$airs+
T&e art o$ lea%ers&ip, as %ispla"e% b" reall" great pop*lar lea%ers in all ages, #onsists in #onsoli%ating t&e attention o$ t&e
people against a single a%ersar" an% ta,ing #are t&at not&ing (ill split *p t&at attention into se#tions+ T&e !ore t&e
!ilitant energies o$ t&e people are %ire#te% to(ar%s one ob0e#tie t&e !ore (ill ne( re#r*its 0oin t&e !oe!ent, attra#te%
b" t&e !agnetis! o$ its *ni$ie% a#tion, an% t&*s t&e stri,ing po(er (ill be all t&e !ore en&an#e%+ T&e lea%er o$ geni*s
!*st &ae t&e abilit" to !a,e %i$$erent opponents appear as i$ t&e" belonge% to t&e one #ategor"C $or (ea, an% (aering
nat*res a!ong a lea%ers $ollo(ing !a" easil" begin to be %*bio*s abo*t t&e 0*sti#e o$ t&eir o(n #a*se i$ t&e" &ae to $a#e
%i$$erent ene!ies+
As soon as t&e a#illating !asses $in% t&e!seles $a#ing an opposition t&at is !a%e *p o$ %i$$erent gro*ps o$ ene!ies t&eir
sense o$ ob0e#tiit" (ill be aro*se% an% t&e" (ill as, &o( is it t&at all t&e ot&ers #an be in t&e (rong an% t&e" t&e!seles,
an% t&eir !oe!ent, alone in t&e rig&t+
S*#& a $eeling (o*l% be t&e $irst step to(ar%s a paral"sis o$ t&eir $ig&ting igo*r+ 3&ere t&ere are ario*s ene!ies (&o are
split *p into %iergent gro*ps it (ill be ne#essar" to blo#, t&e! all toget&er as $or!ing one soli% $ront, so t&at t&e !ass o$
$ollo(ers in a pop*lar !oe!ent !a" see onl" one #o!!on ene!" against (&o! t&e" &ae to $ig&t+ S*#& *ni$or!it"
intensi$ies t&eir belie$ in t&e 0*sti#e o$ t&eir o(n #a*se an% strengt&ens t&eir $eeling o$ &ostilit" to(ar%s t&e opponent+
T&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent (as *ns*##ess$*l be#a*se t&e lea%ers %i% not grasp t&e signi$i#an#e o$ t&at tr*t&+ T&e" sa(
t&e goal #learl" an% t&eir intentions (ere rig&tC b*t t&e" too, t&e (rong roa%+ T&eir a#tion !a" be #o!pare% to t&at o$ an
Alpine #li!ber (&o neer loses sig&t o$ t&e pea, &e (ants to rea#&, (&o &as set o*t (it& t&e greatest %eter!ination an%
energ", b*t pa"s no attention to t&e roa% beneat& &is $eet+ 3it& &is e"e al(a"s $i5e% $ir!l" on t&e goal &e %oes not t&in,
oer or noti#e t&e nat*re o$ t&e as#ent an% $inall" &e $ails+
T&e !anner in (&i#& t&e great rial o$ t&e Pan1Aer!an Part" set o*t to attain its goal (as /*ite %i$$erent+ T&e (a" it too,
(as (ell an% s&re(%l" #&osenC b*t it %i% not &ae a #lear ision o$ t&e goal+ In al!ost all t&e /*estions (&ere t&e Pan1
Aer!an )oe!ent $aile%, t&e poli#" o$ t&e C&ristian1So#ialist Part" (as #orre#t an% s"ste!ati#+
T&e" assesse% t&e i!portan#e o$ t&e !asses #orre#tl", an% t&*s t&e" gaine% t&e s*pport o$ large n*!bers o$ t&e pop*lar
!asses b" e!p&asi>ing t&e so#ial #&ara#ter o$ t&e )oe!ent $ro! t&e er" start+ 8" %ire#ting t&eir appeal espe#iall" to t&e
lo(er !i%%le #lass an% t&e artisans, t&e" gaine% a%&erents (&o (ere $ait&$*l, perseering an% sel$1sa#ri$i#ing+ T&e
C&ristian1So#ialist lea%ers too, #are to aoi% all #ontroers" (it& t&e instit*tions o$ religion an% t&*s t&e" se#*re% t&e
s*pport o$ t&at !ig&t" organi>ation, t&e Cat&oli# C&*r#&+ T&ose lea%ers re#ogni>e% t&e al*e o$ propagan%a on a large
s#ale an% t&e" (ere eritable irt*osos in (or,ing *p t&e spirit*al instin#ts o$ t&e broa% !asses o$ t&eir a%&erents+
T&e $ail*re o$ t&is Part" to #arr" into e$$e#t t&e %rea! o$ saing A*stria $ro! %issol*tion !*st be attrib*te% to t(o !ain
%e$e#ts in t&e !eans t&e" e!plo"e% an% also t&e la#, o$ a #lear per#eption o$ t&e en%s t&e" (is&e% to rea#&+
T&e anti1Se!itis! o$ t&e C&ristian1So#ialists (as base% on religio*s instea% o$ ra#ial prin#iples+ T&e reason $or t&is
!ista,e gae rise to t&e se#on% error also+
T&e $o*n%ers o$ t&e C&ristian1So#ialist Part" (ere o$ t&e opinion t&at t&e" #o*l% not base t&eir position on t&e ra#ial
prin#iple i$ t&e" (is&e% to sae A*stria, be#a*se t&e" $elt t&at a general %isintegration o$ t&e State !ig&t /*i#,l" res*lt
$ro! t&e a%option o$ s*#& a poli#"+ In t&e opinion o$ t&e Part" #&ie$s t&e sit*ation in Bienna %e!an%e% t&at all $a#tors
(&i#& ten%e% to estrange t&e nationalities $ro! one anot&er s&o*l% be #are$*ll" aoi%e% an% t&at all $a#tors !a,ing $or
*nit" s&o*l% be en#o*rage%+
At t&at ti!e Bienna (as so &one"#o!be% (it& $oreign ele!ents, espe#iall" t&e C>e#&s, t&at t&e greatest a!o*nt o$
toleran#e (as ne#essar" i$ t&ese ele!ents (ere to be enliste% in t&e ran,s o$ an" part" t&at (as not anti1Aer!an on
prin#iple+ I$ A*stria (as to be sae% t&ose ele!ents (ere in%ispensable+ An% so atte!pts (ere !a%e to (in t&e s*pport o$
t&e s!all tra%ers, a great n*!ber o$ (&o! (ere C>e#&s, b" #o!bating t&e liberalis! o$ t&e )an#&ester S#&oolC an% t&e"
beliee% t&at b" a%opting t&is attit*%e t&e" &a% $o*n% a slogan against -e(r" (&i#&, be#a*se o$ its religio*s i!pli#ations,
(o*l% *nite all t&e %i$$erent nationalities (&i#& !a%e *p t&e pop*lation o$ t&e ol% A*stria+
It (as obio*s, &o(eer, t&at t&is ,in% o$ anti1Se!itis! %i% not *pset t&e -e(s er" !*#&, si!pl" be#a*se it &a% a p*rel"
religio*s $o*n%ation+ I$ t&e (orst #a!e to t&e (orst a $e( %rops o$ baptis!al (ater (o*l% settle t&e !atter, &ere*pon t&e
-e( #o*l% still #arr" on &is b*siness sa$el" an% at t&e sa!e ti!e retain &is -e(is& nationalit"+
On s*#& s*per$i#ial gro*n%s it (as i!possible to %eal (it& t&e (&ole proble! in an earnest an% rational (a"+ T&e
#onse/*en#e (as t&at !an" people #o*l% not *n%erstan% t&is ,in% o$ anti1Se!itis! an% t&ere$ore re$*se% to ta,e part in it+
T&e attra#tie $or#e o$ t&e i%ea (as t&*s restri#te% e5#l*siel" to narro(1!in%e% #ir#les, be#a*se t&e lea%ers $aile% to go
be"on% t&e !ere e!otional appeal an% %i% not gro*n% t&eir position on a tr*l" rational basis+ T&e intelle#t*als (ere
oppose% to s*#& a poli#" on prin#iple+ It loo,e% !ore an% !ore as i$ t&e (&ole !oe!ent (as a ne( atte!pt to prosel"ti>e
t&e -e(s, or, on t&e ot&er &an%, as i$ it (ere !erel" organi>e% $ro! t&e (is& to #o!pete (it& ot&er #onte!porar"
!oe!ents+ T&*s t&e str*ggle lost all tra#es o$ &aing been organi>e% $or a spirit*al an% s*bli!e !ission+ In%ee%, it
see!e% to so!e people 1 an% t&ese (ere b" no !eans (ort&less ele!ents 1 to be i!!oral an% repre&ensible+ T&e
!oe!ent $aile% to a(a,en a belie$ t&at &ere t&ere (as a proble! o$ ital i!portan#e $or t&e (&ole o$ &*!anit" an% on
t&e sol*tion o$ (&i#& t&e %estin" o$ t&e (&ole Aentile (orl% %epen%e%+
T&ro*g& t&is s&ill"1s&all" (a" o$ %ealing (it& t&e proble! t&e anti1Se!itis! o$ t&e C&ristian1So#ialists t*rne% o*t to be
/*ite ine$$e#tie+
It (as anti1Se!iti# onl" in o*t(ar% appearan#e+ An% t&is (as (orse t&an i$ it &a% !a%e no preten#es at all to anti1
Se!itis!C $or t&e preten#e gae rise to a $alse sense o$ se#*rit" a!ong people (&o beliee% t&at t&e ene!" &a% been ta,en
b" t&e earsC b*t, as a !atter o$ $a#t, t&e people t&e!seles (ere being le% b" t&e nose+
T&e -e( rea%il" a%0*ste% &i!sel$ to t&is $or! o$ anti1Se!itis! an% $o*n% its #ontin*an#e !ore pro$itable to &i! t&an its
abolition (o*l% be+
T&is (&ole !oe!ent le% to great sa#ri$i#es being !a%e $or t&e sa,e o$ t&at State (&i#& (as #o!pose% o$ !an"
&eterogeneo*s nationalitiesC b*t !*#& greater sa#ri$i#es &a% to be !a%e b" t&e tr*stees o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent+
One %i% not %are to be Mnationalist, een in Bienna, lest t&e gro*n% s&o*l% $all a(a" $ro! *n%er ones $eet+ It (as &ope%
t&at t&e Habsb*rg State !ig&t be sae% b" a silent easion o$ t&e nationalist /*estionC b*t t&is poli#" le% t&at State to r*in+
T&e sa!e poli#" also le% to t&e #ollapse o$ C&ristian So#ialis!, $or t&*s t&e )oe!ent (as %eprie% o$ t&e onl" so*r#e o$
energ" $ro! (&i#& a politi#al part" #an %ra( t&e ne#essar" %riing $or#e+
=*ring t&ose "ears I #are$*ll" $ollo(e% t&e t(o !oe!ents an% obsere% &o( t&e" %eelope%, one be#a*se !" &eart (as
(it& it an% t&e ot&er be#a*se o$ !" a%!iration $or t&at re!ar,able !an (&o t&en appeare% to !e as a bitter s"!bol o$ t&e
(&ole Aer!an pop*lation in A*stria+
3&en t&e i!posing $*neral #ortUge o$ t&e %ea% 8*rgo!aster (o*n% its (a" $ro! t&e Cit" Hall to(ar%s t&e Ring Strasse I
stoo% a!ong t&e &*n%re%s o$ t&o*san%s (&o (at#&e% t&e sole!n pro#ession pass b"+ As I stoo% t&ere I $elt %eepl" !oe%,
an% !" instin#t #learl" tol% !e t&at t&e (or, o$ t&is !an (as all in ain, be#a*se a sinister Fate (as ine5orabl" lea%ing
t&is State to its %o(n$all+ I$ =r+ ;arl '*eger &a% lie% in Aer!an" &e (o*l% &ae been ran,e% a!ong t&e great lea%ers o$
o*r people+ It (as a !is$ort*ne $or &is (or, an% $or &i!sei$ t&at &e &a% to lie in t&is i!possible State+
3&en &e %ie% t&e $ire &a% alrea%" been en,in%le% in t&e 8al,ans an% (as sprea%ing !ont& b" !ont&+ Fate &a% been
!er#i$*l in sparing &i! t&e sig&t o$ (&at, een to t&e last, &e &a% &ope% to preent+
I en%eao*re% to anal"se t&e #a*se (&i#& ren%ere% one o$ t&ose !oe!ents $*tile an% (re#,e% t&e progress o$ t&e ot&er+
T&e res*lt o$ t&is inestigation (as t&e pro$o*n% #oni#tion t&at, apart $ro! t&e in&erent i!possibilit" o$ #onsoli%ating t&e
position o$ t&e State in t&e ol% A*stria, t&e t(o parties !a%e t&e $ollo(ing $atal !ista,e4
T&e Pan1Aer!an Part" (as per$e#tl" rig&t in its $*n%a!ental i%eas regar%ing t&e ai! o$ t&e )oe!ent, (&i#& (as to
bring abo*t a Aer!an restoration, b*t it (as *n$ort*nate in its #&oi#e o$ !eans+ It (as nationalist, b*t *n$ort*natel" it pai%
too little &ee% to t&e so#ial proble!, an% t&*s it $aile% to gain t&e s*pport o$ t&e !asses+ Its anti1-e(is& poli#", &o(eer,
(as gro*n%e% on a #orre#t per#eption o$ t&e signi$i#an#e o$ t&e ra#ial proble! an% not on religio*s prin#iples+ 8*t it (as
!ista,en in its assess!ent o$ $a#ts an% a%opte% t&e (rong ta#ti#s (&en it !a%e (ar against one o$ t&e religio*s
%eno!inations+
T&e C&ristian1So#ialist )oe!ent &a% onl" a ag*e #on#ept o$ a Aer!an reial as part o$ its ob0e#t, b*t it (as intelligent
an% $ort*nate in t&e #&oi#e o$ !eans to #arr" o*t its poli#" as a Part"+ T&e C&ristian1So#ialists graspe% t&e signi$i#an#e o$
t&e so#ial /*estionC b*t t&e" a%opte% t&e (rong prin#iples in t&eir str*ggle against -e(r", an% t&e" *tterl" $aile% to
appre#iate t&e al*e o$ t&e national i%ea as a so*r#e o$ politi#al energ"+
I$ t&e C&ristian1So#ialist Part", toget&er (it& its s&re(% 0*%g!ent in regar% to t&e (ort& o$ t&e pop*lar !asses, &a% onl"
0*%ge% rig&tl" also on t&e i!portan#e o$ t&e ra#ial proble! 1 (&i#& (as properl" graspe% b" t&e Pan1Aer!an )oe!ent 1
an% i$ t&is part" &a% been reall" nationalistC or i$ t&e Pan1Aer!an lea%ers, on t&e ot&er &an%, in a%%ition to t&eir #orre#t
0*%g!ent o$ t&e -e(is& proble! an% o$ t&e national i%ea, &a% a%opte% t&e pra#ti#al (is%o! o$ t&e C&ristian1So#ialist
Part", an% parti#*larl" t&eir attit*%e to(ar%s So#ialis! 1 t&en a !oe!ent (o*l% &ae %eelope% (&i#&, in !" opinion,
!ig&t at t&at ti!e &ae s*##ess$*ll" altere% t&e #o*rse o$ Aer!an %estin"+
I$ t&ings %i% not t*rn o*t t&*s, t&e $a*lt la" $or t&e !ost part in t&e in&erent nat*re o$ t&e A*strian State+
I %i% not $in% !" o(n #oni#tions *p&el% b" an" part" t&en in e5isten#e, an% so I #o*l% not bring !"sel$ to enlist as a
!e!ber in an" o$ t&e e5isting organi>ations or een len% a &an% in t&eir str*ggle+ Een at t&at ti!e all t&ose organi>ations
see!e% to !e to be alrea%" 0a%e% in t&eir energies an% (ere t&ere$ore in#apable o$ bringing abo*t a national reial o$ t&e
Aer!an people in a reall" pro$o*n% (a", not !erel" o*t(ar%l"+
)" inner aersion to t&e Habsb*rg State (as in#reasing %ail"+
T&e !ore I pai% spe#ial attention to /*estions o$ $oreign poli#", t&e !ore t&e #oni#tion gre( *pon !e t&at t&is p&anto!
State (o*l% s*rel" bring !is$ort*ne on t&e Aer!ans+ I reali>e% !ore an% !ore t&at t&e %estin" o$ t&e Aer!an nation
#o*l% not be %e#isiel" in$l*en#e% $ro! &ere b*t onl" in t&e Aer!an E!pire itsel$+ An% t&is (as tr*e not onl" in regar% to
general politi#al /*estions b*t also 1 an% in no less a %egree 1 in regar% to t&e (&ole sp&ere o$ #*lt*ral li$e+
Here, also, in all !atters a$$e#ting t&e national #*lt*re an% art, t&e A*strian State s&o(e% all t&e signs o$ senile
%e#repit*%e, or at least it (as #easing to be o$ an" #onse/*en#e to t&e Aer!an nation, as $ar as t&ese !atters (ere
#on#erne%+ T&is (as espe#iall" tr*e o$ its ar#&ite#t*re+ )o%ern ar#&ite#t*re #o*l% not pro%*#e an" great res*lts in A*stria
be#a*se, sin#e t&e b*il%ing o$ t&e Ring Strasse 1 at least in Bienna 1 ar#&ite#t*ral a#tiities &a% be#o!e insigni$i#ant (&en
#o!pare% (it& t&e progressie plans (&i#& (ere being t&o*g&t o*t in Aer!an"+
An% so I #a!e !ore an% !ore to lea% (&at !a" be #alle% a t(o$ol% e5isten#e+ Reason an% realit" $or#e% !e to #ontin*e
!" &ars& apprenti#es&ip in A*stria, t&o*g& I !*st no( sa" t&at t&is apprenti#es&ip t*rne% o*t $ort*nate in t&e en%+ 8*t
!" &eart (as else(&ere+
A $eeling o$ %is#ontent gre( *pon !e an% !a%e !e %epresse% t&e !ore I #a!e to reali>e t&e insi%e &ollo(ness o$ t&is
State an% t&e i!possibilit" o$ saing it $ro! #ollapse+ At t&e sa!e ti!e I $elt per$e#tl" #ertain t&at it (o*l% bring all ,in%s
o$ !is$ort*ne to t&e Aer!an people+
I (as #onin#e% t&at t&e Habsb*rg State (o*l% bal, an% &in%er eer" Aer!an (&o !ig&t s&o( signs o$ real greatness,
(&ile at t&e sa!e ti!e it (o*l% ai% an% abet eer" non1Aer!an a#tiit"+
T&is #onglo!erate spe#ta#le o$ &eterogeneo*s ra#es (&i#& t&e #apital o$ t&e =*al )onar#&" presente%, t&is !otle" o$
C>e#&s, Poles, H*ngarians, R*t&enians, Serbs an% Croats, et#+, an% al(a"s t&at ba#ill*s (&i#& is t&e solent o$ &*!an
so#iet", t&e -e(, &ere an% t&ere an% eer"(&ere 1 t&e (&ole spe#ta#le (as rep*gnant to !e+ T&e giganti# #it" see!e% to be
t&e in#arnation o$ !ongrel %eprait"+
T&e Aer!an lang*age, (&i#& I &a% spo,en $ro! t&e ti!e o$ !" bo"&oo%, (as t&e erna#*lar i%io! o$ 'o(er 8aaria+ I
neer $orgot t&at parti#*lar st"le o$ spee#&, an% I #o*l% neer learn t&e Biennese %iale#t+ T&e longer I lie% in t&at #it" t&e
stronger be#a!e !" &atre% $or t&e pro!is#*o*s s(ar! o$ $oreign peoples (&i#& &a% beg*n to batten on t&at ol% n*rser"
gro*n% o$ Aer!an #*lt*re+ T&e i%ea t&at t&is State #o*l% !aintain its $*rt&er e5isten#e $or an" #onsi%erable ti!e (as /*ite
abs*r%+
A*stria (as t&en li,e a pie#e o$ an#ient !osai# in (&i#& t&e #o&esie #e!ent &a% %rie% *p an% be#o!e ol% an% $riable+ As
long as s*#& a (or, o$ art re!ains *nto*#&e% it !a" &ol% toget&er an% #ontin*e to e5istC b*t t&e !o!ent so!e blo( is
str*#, on it t&en it brea,s *p into t&o*san%s o$ $rag!ents+ T&ere$ore it (as no( onl" a /*estion o$ (&en t&e blo( (o*l%
#o!e+
8e#a*se !" &eart (as al(a"s (it& t&e Aer!an E!pire an% not (it& t&e A*strian )onar#&", t&e &o*r o$ A*strias
%issol*tion as a State appeare% to !e onl" as t&e $irst step to(ar%s t&e e!an#ipation o$ t&e Aer!an nation+
All t&ese #onsi%erations intensi$ie% !" "earning to %epart $or t&at #o*ntr" $or (&i#& !" &eart &a% been se#retl" longing
sin#e t&e %a"s o$ !" "o*t&+
I &ope% t&at one %a" I !ig&t be able to !a,e !" !ar, as an ar#&ite#t an% t&at I #o*l% %eote !" talents to t&e seri#e o$
!" #o*ntr" on a large or s!all s#ale, a##or%ing to t&e (ill o$ Fate+
A $inal reason (as t&at I longe% to be a!ong t&ose (&o lie% an% (or,e% in t&at lan% $ro! (&i#& t&e !oe!ent s&o*l% be
la*n#&e%, t&e ob0e#t o$ (&i#& (o*l% be t&e $*l$il!ent o$ (&at !" &eart &a% al(a"s longe% $or, na!el", t&e *nion o$ t&e
#o*ntr" in (&i#& I (as born (it& o*r #o!!on $at&erlan%, t&e Aer!an E!pire+
T&ere are !an" (&o !a" not *n%erstan% &o( s*#& a "earning #an be so strongC b*t I appeal espe#iall" to t(o gro*ps o$
people+ T&e $irst in#l*%es all t&ose (&o are still %enie% t&e &appiness I &ae spo,en o$, an% t&e se#on% e!bra#es t&ose (&o
on#e en0o"e% t&at &appiness b*t &a% it torn $ro! t&e! b" a &ars& $ate+ I t*rn to all t&ose (&o &ae been torn $ro! t&eir
!ot&erlan% an% (&o &ae to str*ggle $or t&e preseration o$ t&eir !ost sa#re% patri!on", t&eir natie lang*age, perse#*te%
an% &arrie% be#a*se o$ t&eir lo"alt" an% loe $or t&e &o!elan%, "earning sa%l" $or t&e &o*r (&en t&e" (ill be allo(e% to
ret*rn to t&e boso! o$ t&eir $at&ers &o*se&ol%+ To t&ese I a%%ress !" (or%s, an% I ,no( t&at t&e" (ill *n%erstan%+
Onl" &e (&o &as e5perien#e% in &is o(n inner li$e (&at it !eans to be Aer!an an% "et to be %enie% t&e rig&t o$ belonging
to &is $at&erlan% #an appre#iate t&e pro$o*n% nostalgia (&i#& t&at en$or#e% e5ile #a*ses+ It is a perpet*al &earta#&e, an%
t&ere is no pla#e $or 0o" an% #ontent!ent *ntil t&e %oors o$ paternal &o!e are t&ro(n open an% all t&ose t&ro*g& (&ose
eins ,in%re% bloo% is $lo(ing (ill $in% pea#e an% rest in t&eir #o!!on Rei#&+
Bienna (as a &ar% s#&ool $or !eC b*t it ta*g&t !e t&e !ost pro$o*n% lessons o$ !" li$e+ I (as s#ar#el" !ore t&an a bo"
(&en I #a!e to lie t&ere, an% (&en I le$t it I &a% gro(n to be a !an o$ a grae an% pensie nat*re+ In Bienna I a#/*ire%
t&e $o*n%ations o$ a 3eltans#&&a**ng in general an% %eelope% a $a#*lt" $or anal"sing politi#al /*estions in parti#*lar+
T&at 3eltans#&&a**ng an% t&e politi#al i%eas t&en $or!e% &ae neer been aban%one%, t&o*g& t&e" (ere e5pan%e% later
on in so!e %ire#tions+ It is onl" no( t&at I #an $*ll" appre#iate &o( al*able t&ose "ears o$ apprenti#es&ip (ere $or !e+
T&at is (&" I &ae gien a %etaile% a##o*nt o$ t&is perio%+ T&ere, in Bienna, star, realit" ta*g&t !e t&e tr*t&s t&at no(
$or! t&e $*n%a!ental prin#iples o$ t&e Part" (&i#& (it&in t&e #o*rse o$ $ie "ears &as gro(n $ro! !o%est beginnings to a
great !ass !oe!ent+ I %o not ,no( (&at !" attit*%e to(ar%s -e(r", So#ial1=e!o#ra#", or rat&er )ar5is! in general, to
t&e so#ial proble!, et#+, (o*l% be to1%a" i$ I &a% not a#/*ire% a sto#, o$ personal belie$s at s*#& an earl" age, b" %int o$
&ar% st*%" an% *n%er t&e %*ress o$ Fate+
For, alt&o*g& t&e !is$ort*nes o$ t&e Fat&erlan% !a" &ae sti!*late% t&o*san%s an% t&o*san%s to pon%er oer t&e inner
#a*ses o$ t&e #ollapse, t&at #o*l% not lea% to s*#& a t&oro*g& ,no(le%ge an% %eep insig&t as a !an !a" %eelop (&o &as
$o*g&t a &ar% str*ggle $or !an" "ears so t&at &e !ig&t be !aster o$ &is o(n $ate+
C&apter Fo*r
At last I #a!e to )*ni#&, in t&e spring o$ 1912+
T&e #it" itsel$ (as as $a!iliar to !e as i$ I &a% lie% $or "ears (it&in its (alls+
T&is (as be#a*se !" st*%ies in ar#&ite#t*re &a% been #onstantl" t*rning !" attention to t&e !etropolis o$ Aer!an art+
One !*st ,no( )*ni#& i$ one (o*l% ,no( Aer!an", an% it is i!possible to a#/*ire a ,no(le%ge o$ Aer!an art (it&o*t
seeing )*ni#&+
All t&ings #onsi%ere%, t&is pre1(ar so0o*rn (as b" $ar t&e &appiest an% !ost #ontente% ti!e o$ !" li$e+ )" earnings (ere
er" slen%erC b*t a$ter all I %i% not lie $or t&e sa,e o$ painting+ I painte% in or%er to get t&e bare ne#essities o$ e5isten#e
(&ile I #ontin*e% !" st*%ies+ I (as $ir!l" #onin#e% t&at I s&o*l% $inall" s*##ee% in rea#&ing t&e goal I &a% !ar,e% o*t
$or !"sel$+ An% t&is #oni#tion alone (as strong eno*g& to enable !e to bear t&e pett" &ar%s&ips o$ eer"%a" li$e (it&o*t
(orr"ing er" !*#& abo*t t&e!+
)oreoer, al!ost $ro! t&e er" $irst !o!ent o$ !" so0o*rn t&ere I #a!e to loe t&at #it" !ore t&an an" ot&er pla#e ,no(n
to !e+ A Aer!an #it"N I sai% to !"sel$+ Ho( %i$$erent to Bienna+ It (as (it& a $eeling o$ %isg*st t&at !" i!agination
reerte% to t&at 8ab"lon o$ ra#es+ Anot&er pleasant $eat*re &ere (as t&e (a" t&e people spo,e Aer!an, (&i#& (as !*#&
nearer !" o(n (a" o$ spea,ing t&an t&e Biennese i%io!+ T&e )*ni#& i%io! re#alle% t&e %a"s o$ !" "o*t&, espe#iall"
(&en I spo,e (it& t&ose (&o &a% #o!e to )*ni#& $ro! 'o(er 8aaria+ T&ere (ere a t&o*san% or !ore t&ings (&i#& I
in(ar%l" loe% or (&i#& I #a!e to loe %*ring t&e #o*rse o$ !" sta"+ 8*t (&at attra#te% !e !ost (as t&e !arello*s
(e%lo#, o$ natie $ol,1energ" (it& t&e $ine artisti# spirit o$ t&e #it", t&at *ni/*e &ar!on" $ro! t&e Ho$brI*&a*s to t&e
O%eon, $ro! t&e O#tober Festial to t&e Pina,ot&e,, et#+ T&e reason (&" !" &earts strings are ent(ine% aro*n% t&is #it"
as aro*n% no ot&er spot in t&is (orl% is probabl" be#a*se )*ni#& is an% (ill re!ain inseparabl" #onne#te% (it& t&e
%eelop!ent o$ !" o(n #areerC an% t&e $a#t t&at $ro! t&e beginning o$ !" isit I $elt in(ar%l" &app" an% #ontente% is to
be attrib*te% to t&e #&ar! o$ t&e !arello*s 3ittelsba#& Capital, (&i#& &as attra#te% probabl" eer"bo%" (&o is blesse%
(it& a $eeling $or bea*t" instea% o$ #o!!er#ial instin#ts+
Apart $ro! !" pro$essional (or,, I (as !ost intereste% in t&e st*%" o$ #*rrent politi#al eents, parti#*larl" t&ose (&i#&
(ere #onne#te% (it& $oreign relations+ I approa#&e% t&ese b" (a" o$ t&e Aer!an poli#" o$ allian#es (&i#&, eer sin#e !"
A*strian %a"s, I &a% #onsi%ere% to be an *tterl" !ista,en one+ 8*t in Bienna I &a% not "et seen /*ite #learl" &o( $ar t&e
Aer!an E!pire &a% gone in t&e pro#ess o$ sel$1%el*sion+ In Bienna I (as in#line% to ass*!e, or probabl" I pers*a%e%
!"sel$ to %o so in or%er to e5#*se t&e Aer!an !ista,e, t&at possibl" t&e a*t&orities in 8erlin ,ne( &o( (ea, an%
*nreliable t&eir all" (o*l% proe to be (&en bro*g&t $a#e to $a#e (it& realities, b*t t&at, $or !ore or less !"sterio*s
reasons, t&e" re$raine% $ro! allo(ing t&eir opinions on t&is point to be ,no(n in p*bli#+ T&eir i%ea (as t&at t&e" s&o*l%
s*pport t&e poli#" o$ allian#es (&i#& 8is!ar#, &a% initiate% an% t&e s*%%en %is#ontin*an#e o$ (&i#& !ig&t be
*n%esirable, i$ $or no ot&er reason t&an t&at it !ig&t aro*se t&ose $oreign #o*ntries (&i#& (ere l"ing in (ait $or t&eir
#&an#e or !ig&t alar! t&e P&ilistines at &o!e+
8*t !" #onta#t (it& t&e people soon ta*g&t !e, to !" &orror, t&at !" ass*!ptions (ere (rong+ I (as a!a>e% to $in%
eer"(&ere, een in #ir#les ot&er(ise (ell in$or!e%, t&at nobo%" &a% t&e slig&test inti!ation o$ t&e real #&ara#ter o$ t&e
Habsb*rg )onar#&"+ A!ong t&e #o!!on people in parti#*lar t&ere (as a prealent ill*sion t&at t&e A*strian all" (as a
Po(er (&i#& (o*l% &ae to be serio*sl" re#,one% (it& an% (o*l% rall" its !an1po(er in t&e &o*r o$ nee%+ T&e !ass o$ t&e
people #ontin*e% to loo, *pon t&e =*al )onar#&" as a MAer!an State an% beliee% t&at it #o*l% be relie% *pon+ T&e"
ass*!e% t&at its strengt& #o*l% be !eas*re% b" t&e !illions o$ its s*b0e#ts, as (as t&e #ase in Aer!an"+ First o$ all, t&e"
%i% not reali>e t&at A*stria &a% #ease% to be a Aer!an State an%, se#on%l", t&at t&e #on%itions preailing (it&in t&e
A*strian E!pire (ere stea%il" p*s&ing it &ea%long to t&e brin, o$ %isaster+
At t&at ti!e I ,ne( t&e #on%ition o$ a$$airs in t&e A*strian State better t&an t&e pro$essional %iplo!ats+ 8lin%$ol%e%, as
nearl" al(a"s, t&ese %iplo!ats st*!ble% along on t&eir (a" to %isaster+ T&e opinions preailing a!ong t&e b*l, o$ t&e
people re$le#te% onl" (&at &a% been %r*!!e% into t&e! $ro! o$$i#ial /*arters aboe+ An% t&ese &ig&er a*t&orities
groelle% be$ore t&e MAll", as t&e people o$ ol% bo(e% %o(n be$ore t&e Aol%en Cal$+ T&e" probabl" t&o*g&t t&at b" being
polite an% a!iable t&e" !ig&t balan#e t&e la#, o$ &onest" on t&e ot&er si%e+ T&*s t&e" too, eer" %e#laration at its $*ll
$a#e al*e+
Een (&ile in Bienna I *se% to be anno"e% again an% again b" t&e %is#repan#" bet(een t&e spee#&es o$ t&e o$$i#ial
states!en an% t&e #ontents o$ t&e Biennese Press+ An% "et Bienna (as still a Aer!an #it", at least as $ar as appearan#es
(ent+ 8*t one en#o*ntere% an *tterl" %i$$erent state o$ t&ings on leaing Bienna, or rat&er Aer!an1A*stria, an% #o!ing
into t&e Sla proin#es+ It nee%e% onl" a glan#e at t&e Prag*e ne(spapers in or%er to see &o( t&e (&ole e5alte% &o#*s1
po#*s o$ t&e Triple Allian#e (as 0*%ge% $ro! t&ere+ In Prag*e t&ere (as not&ing b*t gibes an% sneers $or t&at !asterpie#e
o$ states!ans&ip+ Een in t&e piping ti!es o$ pea#e, (&en t&e t(o e!perors ,isse% ea#& ot&er on t&e bro( in to,en o$
$rien%s&ip, t&ose papers %i% not #loa, t&eir belie$ t&at t&e allian#e (o*l% be li/*i%ate% t&e !o!ent a $irst atte!pt (as
!a%e to bring it %o(n $ro! t&e s&i!!ering glor" o$ a .ibel*ngen i%eal to t&e plane o$ pra#ti#al a$$airs+
Areat in%ignation (as aro*se% a $e( "ears later, (&en t&e allian#es (ere p*t to t&e $irst pra#ti#al test+ Ital" not onl"
(it&%re( $ro! t&e Triple Allian#e, leaing t&e ot&er t(o !e!bers to !ar#& b" t&e!seles+ b*t s&e een 0oine% t&eir
ene!ies+ T&at an"bo%" s&o*l% beliee een $or a !o!ent in t&e possibilit" o$ s*#& a !ira#le as t&at o$ Ital" $ig&ting on t&e
sa!e si%e as A*stria (o*l% be si!pl" in#re%ible to an"one (&o %i% not s*$$er $ro! t&e blin%ness o$ o$$i#ial %iplo!a#"+
An% t&at (as 0*st &o( people $elt in A*stria also+
In A*stria onl" t&e Habsb*rgs an% t&e Aer!an1A*strians s*pporte% t&e allian#e+ T&e Habsb*rgs %i% so $ro! s&re(%
#al#*lation o$ t&eir o(n interests an% $ro! ne#essit"+ T&e Aer!ans %i% it o*t o$ goo% $ait& an% politi#al ignoran#e+ T&e"
a#te% in goo% $ait& inas!*#& as t&e" beliee% t&at b" establis&ing t&e Triple Allian#e t&e" (ere %oing a great seri#e to
t&e Aer!an E!pire an% (ere t&*s &elping to strengt&en it an% #onsoli%ate its %e$en#e+ T&e" s&o(e% t&eir politi#al
ignoran#e, &o(eer, in &ol%ing s*#& i%eas, be#a*se, instea% o$ &elping t&e Aer!an E!pire t&e" reall" #&aine% it to a
!orib*n% State (&i#& !ig&t bring its asso#iate into t&e grae (it& itsel$C an%, aboe all, b" #&a!pioning t&is allian#e t&e"
$ell !ore an% !ore a pre" to t&e Habsb*rg poli#" o$ %e1Aer!ani>ation+ For t&e allian#e gae t&e Habsb*rgs goo% gro*n%s
$or belieing t&at t&e Aer!an E!pire (o*l% not inter$ere in t&eir %o!esti# a$$airs an% t&*s t&e" (ere in a position to #arr"
into e$$e#t, (it& !ore ease an% less ris,, t&eir %o!esti# poli#" o$ gra%*all" eli!inating t&e Aer!an ele!ent+ .ot onl"
#o*l% t&e Mob0e#tieness o$ t&e Aer!an Aoern!ent be #o*nte% *pon, an% t&*s t&ere nee% be no $ear o$ protest $ro! t&at
/*arter, b*t one #o*l% al(a"s re!in% t&e Aer!an1A*strians o$ t&e allian#e an% t&*s silen#e t&e! in #ase t&e" s&o*l% eer
ob0e#t to t&e repre&ensible !eans t&at (ere being e!plo"e% to establis& a Sla &ege!on" in t&e =*al )onar#&"+
3&at #o*l% t&e Aer!an1A*strians %o, (&en t&e people o$ t&e Aer!an E!pire itsel$ &a% openl" pro#lai!e% t&eir tr*st an%
#on$i%en#e in t&e Habsb*rg rQgi!e@
S&o*l% t&e" resist, an% t&*s be bran%e% openl" be$ore t&eir ,ins$ol, in t&e Rei#& as traitors to t&eir o(n national interests@
T&e", (&o $or so !an" %e#a%es &a% sa#ri$i#e% so !*#& $or t&e sa,e o$ t&eir Aer!an tra%itionN
On#e t&e in$l*en#e o$ t&e Aer!ans in A*stria &a% been (ipe% o*t, (&at t&en (o*l% be t&e al*e o$ t&e allian#e@ I$ t&e
Triple Allian#e (ere to be a%antageo*s to Aer!an", (as it not a ne#essar" #on%ition t&at t&e pre%o!inan#e o$ t&e
Aer!an ele!ent in A*stria s&o*l% be !aintaine%@ Or %i% an"one reall" beliee t&at Aer!an" #o*l% #ontin*e to be t&e all"
o$ a Habsb*rg E!pire *n%er t&e &ege!on" o$ t&e Slas@
T&e o$$i#ial attit*%e o$ Aer!an %iplo!a#", as (ell as t&at o$ t&e general p*bli# to(ar%s internal proble!s a$$e#ting t&e
A*strian nationalities (as not !erel" st*pi%, it (as insane+ On t&e allian#e, as on a soli% $o*n%ation, t&e" gro*n%e% t&e
se#*rit" an% $*t*re e5isten#e o$ a nation o$ seent" !illions, (&ile at t&e sa!e ti!e t&e" allo(e% t&eir partner to #ontin*e
&is poli#" o$ *n%er!ining t&e sole $o*n%ation o$ t&at allian#e !et&o%i#all" an% resol*tel", $ro! "ear to "ear+ A %a" !*st
#o!e (&en not&ing b*t a $or!al #ontra#t (it& Biennese %iplo!ats (o*l% be le$t+ T&e allian#e itsel$, as an e$$e#tie
s*pport, (o*l% be lost to Aer!an"+
As $ar as #on#erne% Ital", s*#& &a% been t&e #ase $ro! t&e o*tset+
I$ people in Aer!an" &a% st*%ie% &istor" an% t&e ps"#&olog" o$ nations a little !ore #are$*ll" not one o$ t&e! #o*l% &ae
beliee% $or a single &o*r t&at t&e P*irinal an% t&e Biennese Ho$b*rg #o*l% eer stan% s&o*l%er to s&o*l%er on a #o!!on
battle $ront+ Ital" (o*l% &ae e5plo%e% li,e a ol#ano i$ an" Italian goern!ent &a% %are% to sen% a single Italian sol%ier to
$ig&t $or t&e Habsb*rg State+ So $anati#all" &ate% (as t&is State t&at t&e Italians #o*l% stan% in no ot&er relation to it on a
battle $ront e5#ept as ene!ies+ )ore t&an on#e in Bienna I &ae (itnesse% e5plosions o$ t&e #onte!pt an% pro$o*n% &atre%
(&i#& Mallie% t&e Italian to t&e A*strian State+ T&e #ri!es (&i#& t&e Ho*se o$ Habsb*rg #o!!itte% against Italian
$ree%o! an% in%epen%en#e %*ring seeral #ent*ries (ere too grae to be $orgien, een (it& t&e best o$ goo%(ill+ 8*t t&is
goo%(ill %i% not e5ist, eit&er a!ong t&e ran, an% $ile o$ t&e pop*lation or in t&e goern!ent+ T&ere$ore $or Ital" t&ere
(ere onl" t(o (a"s o$ #o1e5isting (it& A*stria 1 allian#e or (ar+ 8" #&oosing t&e $irst it (as possible to prepare leis*rel"
$or t&e se#on%+
Espe#iall" sin#e relations bet(een R*ssia an% A*stria ten%e% !ore an% !ore to(ar%s t&e arbitra!ent o$ (ar, t&e Aer!an
poli#" o$ allian#es (as as senseless as it (as %angero*s+ Here (as a #lassi#al instan#e (&i#& %e!onstrate% t&e la#, o$ an"
broa% or logi#al lines o$ t&o*g&t+
8*t (&at (as t&e reason $or $or!ing t&e allian#e at all@ It #o*l% not &ae been ot&er t&an t&e (is& to se#*re t&e $*t*re o$
t&e Rei#& better t&an i$ it (ere to %epen% e5#l*siel" on its o(n reso*r#es+ 8*t t&e $*t*re o$ t&e Rei#& #o*l% not &ae
!eant an"t&ing else t&an t&e proble! o$ se#*ring t&e !eans o$ e5isten#e $or t&e Aer!an people+
T&e onl" /*estions t&ere$ore (ere t&e $ollo(ing4 3&at $or! s&all t&e li$e o$ t&e nation ass*!e in t&e near $*t*re 1 t&at is
to sa" (it&in s*#& a perio% as (e #an $ore#ast@ An% b" (&at !eans #an t&e ne#essar" $o*n%ation an% se#*rit" be
g*arantee% $or t&is %eelop!ent (it&in t&e $ra!e(or, o$ t&e general %istrib*tion o$ po(er a!ong t&e E*ropean nations@
A #lear anal"sis o$ t&e prin#iples on (&i#& t&e $oreign poli#" o$ Aer!an state#ra$t (ere to be base% s&o*l% &ae le% to t&e
$ollo(ing #on#l*sions4
T&e ann*al in#rease o$ pop*lation in Aer!an" a!o*nts to al!ost 977,777 so*ls+ T&e %i$$i#*lties o$ proi%ing $or t&is
ar!" o$ ne( #iti>ens !*st gro( $ro! "ear to "ear an% !*st $inall" lea% to a #atastrop&e, *nless (a"s an% !eans are $o*n%
(&i#& (ill $orestall t&e %anger o$ !iser" an% &*nger+ T&ere (ere $o*r (a"s o$ proi%ing against t&is terrible #ala!it"4
F1G It (as possible to a%opt t&e Fren#& e5a!ple an% arti$i#iall" restri#t t&e n*!ber o$ birt&s, t&*s aoi%ing an e5#ess o$
pop*lation+
Un%er #ertain #ir#*!stan#es, in perio%s o$ %istress or *n%er ba% #li!ati# #on%ition, or i$ t&e soil "iel%s too poor a ret*rn,
.at*re &ersel$ ten%s to #&e#, t&e in#rease o$ pop*lation in so!e #o*ntries an% a!ong so!e ra#es, b*t b" a !et&o% (&i#&
is /*ite as r*t&less as it is (ise+ It %oes not i!pe%e t&e pro#reatie $a#*lt" as s*#&C b*t it %oes i!pe%e t&e $*rt&er e5isten#e
o$ t&e o$$spring b" s*b!itting it to s*#& tests an% priations t&at eer"t&ing (&i#& is less strong or less &ealt&" is $or#e% to
retreat into t&e boso! o$ tile *n,no(n+ 3&ateer s*ries t&ese &ar%s&ips o$ e5isten#e &as been teste% an% trie% a
t&o*san%$ol%, &ar%ene% an% ren%ers $it to #ontin*e t&e pro#ess o$ pro#reationC so t&at t&e sa!e t&oro*g& sele#tion (ill
begin all oer again+ 8" t&*s %ealing br*tall" (it& t&e in%ii%*al an% re#alling &i! t&e er" !o!ent &e s&o(s t&at &e is
not $itte% $or t&e trials o$ li$e, .at*re preseres t&e strengt& o$ t&e ra#e an% t&e spe#ies an% raises it to t&e &ig&est %egree o$
e$$i#ien#"+
T&e %e#rease in n*!bers t&ere$ore i!plies an in#rease o$ strengt&, as $ar as t&e in%ii%*al is #on#erne%, an% t&is $inall"
!eans t&e inigoration o$ t&e spe#ies+
8*t t&e #ase is %i$$erent (&en !an &i!sel$ starts t&e pro#ess o$ n*!eri#al restri#tion+ )an is not #are% $ro! .at*res
(oo%+ He is !a%e o$ M&*!an !aterial+ He ,no(s !ore t&an t&e r*t&less P*een o$ 3is%o!+ He %oes not i!pe%e t&e
preseration o$ t&e in%ii%*al b*t preents pro#reation itsel$+ To t&e in%ii%*al, (&o al(a"s sees onl" &i!sel$ an% not t&e
ra#e, t&is line o$ a#tion see!s !ore &*!ane an% 0*st t&an t&e opposite (a"+ 8*t, *n$ort*natel", t&e #onse/*en#es are also
t&e opposite+
8" leaing t&e pro#ess o$ pro#reation *n#&e#,e% an% b" s*b!itting t&e in%ii%*al to t&e &ar%est preparator" tests in li$e,
.at*re sele#ts t&e best $ro! an ab*n%an#e o$ single ele!ents an% sta!ps t&e! as $it to lie an% #arr" on t&e #onseration
o$ t&e spe#ies+ 8*t !an restri#ts t&e pro#reatie $a#*lt" an% stries obstinatel" to ,eep alie at an" #ost (&ateer &as on#e
been born+ T&is #orre#tion o$ t&e =iine 3ill see!s to &i! to be (ise an% &*!ane, an% &e re0oi#es at &aing tr*!pe%
.at*res #ar% in one ga!e at least an% t&*s proe% t&at s&e is not entirel" reliable+ T&e %ear little ape o$ an all1!ig&t"
$at&er is %elig&te% to see an% &ear t&at &e &as s*##ee%e% in e$$e#ting a n*!eri#al restri#tionC b*t &e (o*l% be er"
%isplease% i$ tol% t&at t&is, &is s"ste!, brings abo*t a %egeneration in personal /*alit"+
For as soon as t&e pro#reatie $a#*lt" is t&(arte% an% t&e n*!ber o$ birt&s %i!inis&e%, t&e nat*ral str*ggle $or e5isten#e
(&i#& allo(s onl" &ealt&" an% strong in%ii%*als to s*rie is repla#e% b" a s&eer #ra>e to Msae $eeble an% een %isease%
#reat*res at an" #ost+ An% t&*s t&e see%s are so(n $or a &*!an progen" (&i#& (ill be#o!e !ore an% !ore !iserable $ro!
one generation to anot&er, as long as .at*res (ill is s#orne%+
8*t i$ t&at poli#" be #arrie% o*t t&e $inal res*lts !*st be t&at s*#& a nation (ill eent*all" ter!inate its o(n e5isten#e on
t&is eart&C $or t&o*g& !an !a" %e$" t&e eternal la(s o$ pro#reation %*ring a #ertain perio%, engean#e (ill $ollo( sooner
or later+ A stronger ra#e (ill o*st t&at (&i#& &as gro(n (ea,C $or t&e ital *rge, in its *lti!ate $or!, (ill b*rst as*n%er all
t&e abs*r% #&ains o$ t&is so1#alle% &*!ane #onsi%eration $or t&e in%ii%*al an% (ill repla#e it (it& t&e &*!anit" o$
.at*re, (&i#& (ipes o*t (&at is (ea, in or%er to gie pla#e to t&e strong+
An" poli#" (&i#& ai!s at se#*ring t&e e5isten#e o$ a nation b" restri#ting t&e birt&1rate robs t&at nation o$ its $*t*re+
F2G A se#on% sol*tion is t&at o$ internal #oloni>ation+ T&is is a proposal (&i#& is $re/*entl" !a%e in o*r o(n ti!e an% one
&ears it la*%e% a goo% %eal+ It is a s*ggestion t&at is (ell1!eant b*t it is !is*n%erstoo% b" !ost people, so t&at it is t&e
so*r#e o$ !ore !is#&ie$ t&an #an be i!agine%+
It is #ertainl" tr*e t&at t&e pro%*#tiit" o$ t&e soil #an be in#rease% (it&in #ertain li!itsC b*t onl" (it&in %e$ine% li!its an%
not in%e$initel"+ 8" in#reasing t&e pro%*#tie po(ers o$ t&e soil it (ill be possible to balan#e t&e e$$e#t o$ a s*rpl*s birt&1
rate in Aer!an" $or a #ertain perio% o$ ti!e, (it&o*t r*nning an" %anger o$ &*nger+ 8*t (e &ae to $a#e t&e $a#t t&at t&e
general stan%ar% o$ liing is rising !ore /*i#,l" t&an een t&e birt& rate+ T&e re/*ire!ents o$ $oo% an% #lot&ing are
be#o!ing greater $ro! "ear to "ear an% are o*t o$ proportion to t&ose o$ o*r an#estors o$, let *s sa", a &*n%re% "ears ago+ It
(o*l%, t&ere$ore, be a !ista,en ie( t&at eer" in#rease in t&e pro%*#tie po(ers o$ t&e soil (ill s*ppl" t&e re/*isite
#on%itions $or an in#rease in t&e pop*lation+ .o+ T&at is tr*e *p to a #ertain point onl", $or at least a portion o$ t&e
in#rease% pro%*#e o$ t&e soil (ill be #ons*!e% b" t&e !argin o$ in#rease% %e!an%s #a*se% b" t&e stea%" rise in t&e
stan%ar% o$ liing+ 8*t een i$ t&ese %e!an%s (ere to be #*rtaile% to t&e narro(est li!its possible an% i$ at t&e sa!e ti!e
(e (ere to *se all o*r aailable energies in t&e intenser #*ltiation, (e s&o*l% &ere rea#& a %e$inite li!it (&i#& is
#on%itione% b" t&e in&erent nat*re o$ t&e soil itsel$+ .o !atter &o( in%*strio*sl" (e !a" labo*r (e #annot in#rease
agri#*lt*ral pro%*#tion be"on% t&is li!it+ T&ere$ore, t&o*g& (e !a" postpone t&e eil &o*r o$ %istress $or a #ertain ti!e, it
(ill arrie at last+ T&e $irst p&eno!enon (ill be t&e re#*rren#e o$ $a!ine perio%s $ro! ti!e to ti!e, a$ter ba% &arests, et#+
T&e interals bet(een t&ese $a!ines (ill be#o!e s&orter an% s&orter t&e !ore t&e pop*lation in#reasesC an%, $inall", t&e
$a!ine ti!es (ill %isappear onl" in t&ose rare "ears o$ plent" (&en t&e granaries are $*ll+ An% a ti!e (ill *lti!atel" #o!e
(&en een in t&ose "ears o$ plent" t&ere (ill not be eno*g& to go ro*n%C so t&at &*nger (ill %og t&e $ootsteps o$ t&e
nation+ .at*re !*st no( step in on#e !ore an% sele#t t&ose (&o are to s*rie, or else !an (ill &elp &i!sel$ b" arti$i#iall"
preenting &is o(n in#rease, (it& all t&e $atal #onse/*en#es $or t&e ra#e an% t&e spe#ies (&i#& &ae been alrea%"
!entione%+
It !a" be ob0e#te% &ere t&at, in one $or! or anot&er, t&is $*t*re is in store $or all !an,in% an% t&at t&e in%ii%*al nation or
ra#e #annot es#ape t&e general $ate+
At $irst glan#e, t&at ob0e#tion see!s logi#al eno*g&C b*t (e &ae to ta,e t&e $ollo(ing into a##o*nt4
T&e %a" (ill #ertainl" #o!e (&en t&e (&ole o$ !an,in% (ill be $or#e% to #&e#, t&e a*g!entation o$ t&e &*!an spe#ies,
be#a*se t&ere (ill be no $*rt&er possibilit" o$ a%0*sting t&e pro%*#tiit" o$ t&e soil to t&e perpet*al in#rease in t&e
pop*lation+ .at*re !*st t&en be allo(e% to *se &er o(n !et&o%s or !an !a" possibl" ta,e t&e tas, o$ reg*lation into &is
o(n &an%s an% establis& t&e ne#essar" e/*ilibri*! b" t&e appli#ation o$ better !eans t&an (e &ae at o*r %isposal to1%a"+
8*t t&en it (ill be a proble! $or !an,in% as a (&ole, (&ereas no( onl" t&ose ra#es &ae to s*$$er $ro! (ant (&i#& no
longer &ae t&e strengt& an% %aring to a#/*ire s*$$i#ient soil to $*l$il t&eir nee%s+ For, as t&ings stan% to1%a", ast spa#es
still lie *n#*ltiate% all oer t&e s*r$a#e o$ t&e globe+ T&ose spa#es are onl" (aiting $or t&e plo*g&s&are+ An% it is /*ite
#ertain t&at .at*re %i% not set t&ose territories apart as t&e e5#l*sie past*res o$ an" one nation or ra#e to be &el%
*n*tili>e% in resere $or t&e $*t*re+ S*#& lan% a(aits t&e people (&o &ae t&e strengt& to a#/*ire it an% t&e %iligen#e to
#*ltiate it+
.at*re ,no(s no politi#al $rontiers+ S&e begins b" establis&ing li$e on t&is globe an% t&en (at#&es t&e $ree pla" o$ $or#es+
T&ose (&o s&o( t&e greatest #o*rage an% in%*str" are t&e #&il%ren nearest to &er &eart an% t&e" (ill be grante% t&e
soereign rig&t o$ e5isten#e+
I$ a nation #on$ines itsel$ to Minternal #oloni>ation (&ile ot&er ra#es are perpet*all" in#reasing t&eir territorial
anne5ations all oer t&e globe, t&at nation (ill be $or#e% to restri#t t&e n*!eri#al gro(t& o$ its pop*lation at a ti!e (&en
t&e ot&er nations are in#reasing t&eirs+ T&is sit*ation !*st eent*all" arrie+ It (ill arrie soon i$ t&e territor" (&i#& t&e
nation &as at its %isposal be s!all+ .o( it is *n$ort*natel" tr*e t&at onl" too o$ten t&e best nations 1 or, to spea, !ore
e5a#tl", t&e onl" reall" #*lt*re% nations, (&o at t&e sa!e ti!e are t&e #&ie$ bearers o$ &*!an progress 1 &ae %e#i%e%, in
t&eir blin% pa#i$is!, to re$rain $ro! t&e a#/*isition o$ ne( territor" an% to be #ontent (it& Minternal #oloni>ation+ 8*t at
t&e sa!e ti!e nations o$ in$erior /*alit" s*##ee% in getting &ol% o$ large spa#es $or #oloni>ation all oer t&e globe+ T&e
state o$ a$$airs (&i#& !*st res*lt $ro! t&is #ontrast is t&e $ollo(ing4
Ra#es (&i#& are #*lt*rall" s*perior b*t less r*t&less (o*l% be $or#e% to restri#t t&eir in#rease, be#a*se o$ ins*$$i#ient
territor" to s*pport t&e pop*lation, (&ile less #iili>e% ra#es #o*l% in#rease in%e$initel", o(ing to t&e ast territories at
t&eir %isposal+ In ot&er (or%s4 s&o*l% t&at state o$ a$$airs #ontin*e, t&en t&e (orl% (ill one %a" be possesse% b" t&at portion
o$ !an,in% (&i#& is #*lt*rall" in$erior b*t !ore a#tie an% energeti#+
A ti!e (ill #o!e, een t&o*g& in t&e %istant $*t*re, (&en t&ere #an be onl" t(o alternaties4 Eit&er t&e (orl% (ill be r*le%
a##or%ing to o*r !o%ern #on#ept o$ %e!o#ra#", an% t&en eer" %e#ision (ill be in $ao*r o$ t&e n*!eri#all" stronger
ra#esC or t&e (orl% (ill be goerne% b" t&e la( o$ nat*ral %istrib*tion o$ po(er, an% t&en t&ose nations (ill be i#torio*s
(&o are o$ !ore br*tal (ill an% are not t&e nations (&o &ae pra#tise% sel$1%enial+
.obo%" #an %o*bt t&at t&is (orl% (ill one %a" be t&e s#ene o$ %rea%$*l str*ggles $or e5isten#e on t&e part o$ !an,in%+ In
t&e en% t&e instin#t o$ sel$1preseration alone (ill tri*!p&+ 8e$ore its #ons*!ing $ire t&is so1#alle% &*!anitarianis!,
(&i#& #onnotes onl" a !i5t*re o$ $at*o*s ti!i%it" an% sel$1#on#eit, (ill !elt a(a" as *n%er t&e )ar#& s*ns&ine+ )an &as
be#o!e great t&ro*g& perpet*al str*ggle+ In perpet*al pea#e &is greatness !*st %e#line+
For *s Aer!ans, t&e slogan o$ Minternal #oloni>ation is $atal, be#a*se it en#o*rages t&e belie$ t&at (e &ae %is#oere% a
!eans (&i#& is in a##or%an#e (it& o*r innate pa#i$is! an% (&i#& (ill enable *s to (or, $or o*r lieli&oo% in a &al$
sl*!bering e5isten#e+ S*#& a tea#&ing, on#e it (ere ta,en serio*sl" b" o*r people, (o*l% !ean t&e en% o$ all e$$ort to
a#/*ire $or o*rseles t&at pla#e in t&e (orl% (&i#& (e %esere+ I$+ t&e aerage Aer!an (ere on#e #onin#e% t&at b" t&is
!eas*re &e &as t&e #&an#e o$ ens*ring &is lieli&oo% an% g*aranteeing &is $*t*re, an" atte!pt to ta,e an a#tie an%
pro$itable part in s*staining t&e ital %e!an%s o$ &is #o*ntr" (o*l% be o*t o$ t&e /*estion+ S&o*l% t&e nation agree to s*#&
an attit*%e t&en an" reall" *se$*l $oreign poli#" !ig&t be loo,e% *pon as %ea% an% b*rie%, toget&er (it& all &ope $or t&e
$*t*re o$ t&e Aer!an people+
On#e (e ,no( (&at t&e #onse/*en#es o$ t&is Minternal #oloni>ation t&eor" (o*l% be (e #an no longer #onsi%er as a !ere
a##i%ent t&e $a#t t&at a!ong t&ose (&o in#*l#ate t&is /*ite perni#io*s !entalit" a!ong o*r people t&e -e( is al(a"s in t&e
$irst line+ He ,no(s &is so$ties onl" too (ell not to ,no( t&at t&e" are rea%" to be t&e grate$*l i#ti!s o$ eer" s(in%le
(&i#& pro!ises t&e! a gol%1blo#, in t&e s&ape o$ a %is#oer" t&at (ill enable t&e! to o*t(it .at*re an% t&*s ren%er
s*per$l*o*s t&e &ar% an% ine5orable str*ggle $or e5isten#eC so t&at $inall" t&e" !a" be#o!e lor%s o$ t&e planet partl" b"
s&eer %ol#e $ar niente an% partl" b" (or,ing (&en a pleasing opport*nit" arises+
It #annot be too strongl" e!p&asise% t&at an" Aer!an Minternal #oloni>ation !*st $irst o$ all be #onsi%ere% as s*ite% onl"
$or t&e relie$ o$ so#ial griean#es+ To #arr" o*t a s"ste! o$ internal #oloni>ation, t&e !ost i!portant preli!inar" !eas*re
(o*l% be to $ree t&e soil $ro! t&e grip o$ t&e spe#*lator an% ass*re t&at $ree%o!+ 8*t s*#& a s"ste! #o*l% neer s*$$i#e to
ass*re t&e $*t*re o$ t&e nation (it&o*t t&e a#/*isition o$ ne( territor"+
I$ (e a%opt a %i$$erent plan (e s&all soon rea#& a point be"on% (&i#& t&e reso*r#es o$ o*r soil #an no longer be e5ploite%,
an% at t&e sa!e ti!e (e s&all rea#& a point be"on% (&i#& o*r !an1po(er #annot %eelop+
In #on#l*sion, t&e $ollo(ing !*st be sai%4
T&e $a#t t&at onl" *p to a li!ite% e5tent #an internal #oloni>ation be pra#tise% in a national territor" (&i#& is o$ %e$initel"
s!all area an% t&e restri#tion o$ t&e pro#reatie $a#*lt" (&i#& $ollo(s as a res*lt o$ s*#& #on%itions 1 t&ese t(o $a#tors
&ae a er" *n$ao*rable e$$e#t on t&e !ilitar" an% politi#al stan%ing o$ a nation+
T&e e5tent o$ t&e national territor" is a %eter!ining $a#tor in t&e e5ternal se#*rit" o$ t&e nation+ T&e larger t&e territor"
(&i#& a people &as at its %isposal t&e stronger are t&e national %e$en#es o$ t&at people+ )ilitar" %e#isions are !ore
/*i#,l", !ore easil", !ore #o!pletel" an% !ore e$$e#tiel" gaine% against a people o##*p"ing a national territor" (&i#& is
restri#te% in area, t&an against States (&i#& &ae e5tensie territories+ )oreoer, t&e !agnit*%e o$ a national territor" is in
itsel$ a #ertain ass*ran#e t&at an o*tsi%e Po(er (ill not &astil" ris, t&e a%ent*re o$ an inasionC $or in t&at #ase t&e
str*ggle (o*l% &ae to be long an% e5&a*sting be$ore i#tor" #o*l% be &ope% $or+ T&e ris, being so great+ t&ere (o*l% &ae
to be e5traor%inar" reasons $or s*#& an aggressie a%ent*re+ Hen#e it is t&at t&e territorial !agnit*%e o$ a State $*rnis&es
a basis (&ereon national libert" an% in%epen%en#e #an be !aintaine% (it& relatie easeC (&ile, on t&e #ontrar", a State
(&ose territor" is s!all o$$ers a nat*ral te!ptation to t&e ina%er+
As a !atter o$ $a#t, so1#alle% national #ir#les in t&e Aer!an Rei#& re0e#te% t&ose $irst t(o possibilities o$ establis&ing a
balan#e bet(een t&e #onstant n*!eri#al in#rease in t&e pop*lation an% a national territor" (&i#& #o*l% not e5pan%
proportionatel"+ 8*t t&e reasons gien $or t&at re0e#tion (ere %i$$erent $ro! t&ose (&i#& I &ae 0*st e5po*n%e%+ It (as
!ainl" on t&e basis o$ #ertain !oral senti!ents t&at restri#tion o$ t&e birt&1rate (as ob0e#te% to+ Proposals $or internal
#oloni>ation (ere re0e#te% in%ignantl" be#a*se it (as s*spe#te% t&at s*#& a poli#" !ig&t !ean an atta#, on t&e big
lan%o(ners, an% t&at t&is atta#, !ig&t be t&e $orer*nner o$ a general assa*lt against t&e prin#iple o$ priate propert" as a
(&ole+ T&e $or! in (&i#& t&e latter sol*tion 1 internal #oloni>ation 1 (as re#o!!en%e% 0*sti$ie% t&e !isgiings o$ t&e big
lan%o(ners+
8*t t&e $or! in (&i#& t&e #oloni>ation proposal (as re0e#te% (as not er" #leer, as regar%s t&e i!pression (&i#& s*#&
re0e#tion !ig&t be #al#*late% to !a,e on t&e !ass o$ t&e people, an% an"&o( it %i% not go to t&e root o$ t&e proble! at all+
Onl" t(o $*rt&er (a"s (ere le$t open in (&i#& (or, an% brea% #o*l% be se#*re% $or t&e in#reasing pop*lation+
F2G It (as possible to t&in, o$ a#/*iring ne( territor" on (&i#& a #ertain portion o$ t&e in#reasing pop*lation #o*l% be
settle% ea#& "earC or else
F4G O*r in%*str" an% #o!!er#e &a% to be organi>e% in s*#& a !anner as to se#*re an in#rease in t&e e5ports an% t&*s be
able to s*pport o*r people b" t&e in#rease% p*r#&asing po(er a##r*ing $ro! t&e pro$its !a%e on $oreign !ar,ets+
T&ere$ore t&e proble! (as4 A poli#" o$ territorial e5pansion or a #olonial an% #o!!er#ial poli#"+ 8ot& poli#ies (ere ta,en
into #onsi%eration, e5a!ine%, re#o!!en%e% an% re0e#te%, $ro! ario*s stan%points, (it& t&e res*lt t&at t&e se#on%
alternatie (as $inall" a%opte%+ T&e so*n%er alternatie, &o(eer, (as *n%o*bte%l" t&e $irst+
T&e prin#iple o$ a#/*iring ne( territor", on (&i#& t&e s*rpl*s pop*lation #o*l% be settle%, &as !an" a%antages to
re#o!!en% it, espe#iall" i$ (e ta,e t&e $*t*re as (ell as t&e present into a##o*nt+
In t&e $irst pla#e, too !*#& i!portan#e #annot be pla#e% on t&e ne#essit" $or a%opting a poli#" (&i#& (ill !a,e it possible
to !aintain a &ealt&" peasant #lass as t&e basis o$ t&e national #o!!*nit"+ )an" o$ o*r present eils &ae t&eir origin
e5#l*siel" in t&e %isproportion bet(een t&e *rban an% r*ral portions o$ t&e pop*lation+ A soli% sto#, o$ s!all an% !e%i*!
$ar!ers &as at all ti!es been t&e best prote#tion (&i#& a nation #o*l% &ae against t&e so#ial %iseases t&at are prealent to1
%a"+ )oreoer, t&at is t&e onl" sol*tion (&i#& g*arantees t&e %ail" brea% o$ a nation (it&in t&e $ra!e(or, o$ its %o!esti#
national e#ono!"+ 3it& t&is #on%ition on#e g*arantee%, in%*str" an% #o!!er#e (o*l% retire $ro! t&e *n&ealt&" position
o$ $ore!ost i!portan#e (&i#& t&e" &ol% to1%a" an% (o*l% ta,e t&eir %*e pla#e (it&in t&e general s#&e!e o$ national
e#ono!", a%0*sting t&e balan#e bet(een %e!an% an% s*ppl"+ T&*s in%*str" an% #o!!er#e (o*l% no longer #onstit*te t&e
basis o$ t&e national s*bsisten#e, b*t (o*l% be a*5iliar" instit*tions+ 8" $*l$illing t&eir proper $*n#tion, (&i#& is to a%0*st
t&e balan#e bet(een national pro%*#tion an% national #ons*!ption, t&e" ren%er t&e national s*bsisten#e !ore or less
in%epen%ent o$ $oreign #o*ntries an% t&*s ass*re t&e $ree%o! an% in%epen%en#e o$ t&e nation, espe#iall" at #riti#al
0*n#t*res in its &istor"+
S*#& a territorial poli#", &o(eer, #annot $in% its $*l$il!ent in t&e Ca!eroons b*t al!ost e5#l*siel" &ere in E*rope+ One
!*st #al!l" an% s/*arel" $a#e t&e tr*t& t&at it #ertainl" #annot be part o$ t&e %ispensation o$ =iine Proi%en#e to gie a
$i$t" ti!es larger s&are o$ t&e soil o$ t&is (orl% to one nation t&an to anot&er+ In #onsi%ering t&is state o$ a$$airs to1%a", one
!*st not allo( e5isting politi#al $rontiers to %istra#t attention $ro! (&at o*g&t to e5ist on prin#iples o$ stri#t 0*sti#e+ I$ t&is
eart& &as s*$$i#ient roo! $or all, t&en (e o*g&t to &ae t&at s&are o$ t&e soil (&i#& is absol*tel" ne#essar" $or o*r
e5isten#e+
O$ #o*rse people (ill not ol*ntaril" !a,e t&at a##o!!o%ation+ At t&is point t&e rig&t o$ sel$1preseration #o!es into
e$$e#t+ An% (&en atte!pts to settle t&e %i$$i#*lt" in an a!i#able (a" are re0e#te% t&e #len#&e% &an% !*st ta,e b" $or#e t&at
(&i#& (as re$*se% to t&e open &an% o$ $rien%s&ip+ I$ in t&e past o*r an#estors &a% base% t&eir politi#al %e#isions on si!ilar
pa#i$ist nonsense as o*r present generation %oes, (e s&o*l% not possess !ore t&an one1t&ir% o$ t&e national territor" t&at
(e possess to1%a" an% probabl" t&ere (o*l% be no Aer!an nation to (orr" abo*t its $*t*re in E*rope+ .o+ 3e o(e t&e t(o
Eastern )ar,s 9G o$ t&e E!pire to t&e nat*ral %eter!ination o$ o*r $ore$at&ers in t&eir str*ggle $or e5isten#e, an% t&*s it is
to t&e sa!e %eter!ine% poli#" t&at (e o(e t&e inner strengt& (&i#& is base% on t&e e5tent o$ o*r politi#al an% ra#ial
territories an% (&i#& alone &as !a%e it possible $or *s to e5ist *p to no(+
An% t&ere is still anot&er reason (&" t&at sol*tion (o*l% &ae been t&e #orre#t one4
)an" #onte!porar" E*ropean States are li,e p"ra!i%s stan%ing on t&eir ape5es+ T&e E*ropean territor" (&i#& t&ese
States possess is ri%i#*lo*sl" s!all (&en #o!pare% (it& t&e enor!o*s oer&ea% (eig&t o$ t&eir #olonies, $oreign tra%e,
et#+ It !a" be sai% t&at t&e" &ae t&e ape5 in E*rope an% t&e base o$ t&e p"ra!i% all oer t&e (orl%C /*ite %i$$erent $ro!
t&e Unite% States o$ A!eri#a, (&i#& &as its base on t&e A!eri#an Continent an% is in #onta#t (it& t&e rest o$ t&e (orl%
onl" t&ro*g& its ape5+ O*t o$ t&at sit*ation arises t&e in#o!parable inner strengt& o$ t&e U+S+A+ an% t&e #ontrar" sit*ation
is responsible $or t&e (ea,ness o$ !ost o$ t&e #olonial E*ropean Po(ers+
Englan% #annot be s*ggeste% as an arg*!ent against t&is assertion, t&o*g& in glan#ing #as*all" oer t&e !ap o$ t&e
8ritis& E!pire one is in#line% easil" to oerloo, t&e e5isten#e o$ a (&ole Anglo1Sa5on (orl%+ Englan%s position #annot
be #o!pare% (it& t&at o$ an" ot&er State in E*rope, sin#e it $or!s a ast #o!!*nit" o$ lang*age an% #*lt*re toget&er (it&
t&e U+S+A+
T&ere$ore t&e onl" possibilit" (&i#& Aer!an" &a% o$ #arr"ing a so*n% territorial poli#" into e$$e#t (as t&at o$ a#/*iring
ne( territor" in E*rope itsel$+ Colonies #annot sere t&is p*rpose as long as t&e" are not s*ite% $or settle!ent b"
E*ropeans on a large s#ale+ In t&e nineteent& #ent*r" it (as no longer possible to a#/*ire s*#& #olonies b" pea#e$*l !eans+
T&ere$ore an" atte!pt at s*#& a #olonial e5pansion (o*l% &ae !eant an enor!o*s !ilitar" str*ggle+ Conse/*entl" it
(o*l% &ae been !ore pra#ti#al to *n%erta,e t&at !ilitar" str*ggle $or ne( territor" in E*rope rat&er t&an to (age (ar $or
t&e a#/*isition o$ possessions abroa%+
S*#& a %e#ision nat*rall" %e!an%e% t&at t&e nations *n%ii%e% energies s&o*l% be %eote% to it+ A poli#" o$ t&at ,in%
(&i#& re/*ires $or its $*l$il!ent eer" o*n#e o$ aailable energ" on t&e part o$ eer"bo%" #on#erne%, #annot be #arrie% into
e$$e#t b" &al$1!eas*res or in a &esitating !anner+ T&e politi#al lea%ers&ip o$ t&e Aer!an E!pire s&o*l% t&en &ae been
%ire#te% e5#l*siel" to t&is goal+ .o politi#al step s&o*l% &ae been ta,en in response to ot&er #onsi%erations t&an t&is tas,
an% t&e !eans o$ a##o!plis&ing it+ Aer!an" s&o*l% &ae been alie to t&e $a#t t&at s*#& a goal #o*l% &ae been rea#&e%
onl" b" (ar, an% t&e prospe#t o$ (ar s&o*l% &ae been $a#e% (it& #al! an% #olle#te% %eter!ination+
T&e (&ole s"ste! o$ allian#es s&o*l% &ae been enisage% an% al*e% $ro! t&at stan%point+ I$ ne( territor" (ere to be
a#/*ire% in E*rope it !*st &ae been !ainl" at R*ssias #ost, an% on#e again t&e ne( Aer!an E!pire s&o*l% &ae set o*t
on its !ar#& along t&e sa!e roa% as (as $or!erl" tro%%en b" t&e Te*toni# ;nig&ts, t&is ti!e to a#/*ire soil $or t&e
Aer!an plo*g& b" !eans o$ t&e Aer!an s(or% an% t&*s proi%e t&e nation (it& its %ail" brea%+
For s*#& a poli#", &o(eer, t&ere (as onl" one possible all" in E*rope+ T&at (as Englan%+
Onl" b" allian#e (it& Englan% (as it possible to sa$eg*ar% t&e rear o$ t&e ne( Aer!an #r*sa%e+ T&e 0*sti$i#ation $or
*n%erta,ing s*#& an e5pe%ition (as stronger t&an t&e 0*sti$i#ation (&i#& o*r $ore$at&ers &a% $or setting o*t on t&eirs+ .ot
one o$ o*r pa#i$ists re$*ses to eat t&e brea% !a%e $ro! t&e grain gro(n in t&e EastC an% "et t&e $irst plo*g& &ere (as t&at
#alle% t&e MS(or%+
.o sa#ri$i#e s&o*l% &ae been #onsi%ere% too great i$ it (as a ne#essar" !eans o$ gaining Englan%s $rien%s&ip+ Colonial
an% naal a!bitions s&o*l% &ae been aban%one% an% atte!pts s&o*l% not &ae been !a%e to #o!pete against 8ritis&
in%*stries+
Onl" a #lear an% %e$inite poli#" #o*l% lea% to s*#& an a#&iee!ent+ S*#& a poli#" (o*l% &ae %e!an%e% a ren*n#iation o$
t&e en%eao*r to #on/*er t&e (orl%s !ar,ets, also a ren*n#iation o$ #olonial intentions an% naal po(er+ All t&e !eans o$
po(er at t&e %isposal o$ t&e State s&o*l% &ae been #on#entrate% in t&e !ilitar" $or#es on lan%+ T&is poli#" (o*l% &ae
inole% a perio% o$ te!porar" sel$1%enial, $or t&e sa,e o$ a great an% po(er$*l $*t*re+
T&ere (as a ti!e (&en Englan% !ig&t &ae entere% into negotiations (it& *s, on t&e gro*n%s o$ t&at proposal+ For
Englan% (o*l% &ae (ell *n%erstoo% t&at t&e proble!s arising $ro! t&e stea%" in#rease in pop*lation (ere $or#ing
Aer!an" to loo, $or a sol*tion eit&er in E*rope (it& t&e &elp o$ Englan% or, (it&o*t Englan%, in so!e ot&er part o$ t&e
(orl%+
T&is o*tloo, (as probabl" t&e #&ie$ reason (&" 'on%on trie% to %ra( nearer to Aer!an" abo*t t&e t*rn o$ t&e #ent*r"+ For
t&e $irst ti!e in Aer!an" an attit*%e (as t&en !ani$este% (&i#& a$ter(ar%s %ispla"e% itsel$ in a !ost tragi# (a"+ People
t&en gae e5pression to an *npleasant $eeling t&at (e !ig&t t&*s $in% o*rseles oblige% to p*ll Englan%s #&estn*ts o*t o$
t&e $ire+ As i$ an allian#e #o*l% be base% on an"t&ing else t&an !*t*al gie1an%1ta,eN An% Englan% (o*l% &ae be#o!e a
part" to s*#& a !*t*al bargain+ 8ritis& %iplo!ats (ere still (ise eno*g& to ,no( t&at an e/*ialent !*st be $ort&#o!ing
as a #onsi%eration $or an" seri#es ren%ere%+
'et *s s*ppose t&at in 1974 o*r Aer!an $oreign poli#" (as !anage% ast*tel" eno*g& to enable *s to ta,e t&e part (&i#&
-apan pla"e%+ It is not eas" to !eas*re t&e greatness o$ t&e res*lts t&at !ig&t &ae a##r*e% to Aer!an" $ro! s*#& a poli#"+
T&ere (o*l% &ae been no (orl% (ar+ T&e bloo% (&i#& (o*l% &ae been s&e% in 1974 (o*l% not &ae been a tent& o$ t&at
s&e% $ro! 1914 to 1919+ An% (&at a position Aer!an" (o*l% &ol% in t&e (orl% to1%a"@
In an" #ase t&e allian#e (it& A*stria (as t&en an abs*r%it"+
For t&is !*!!" o$ a State %i% not atta#& itsel$ to Aer!an" $or t&e p*rpose o$ #arr"ing t&ro*g& a (ar, b*t rat&er to
!aintain a perpet*al state o$ pea#e (&i#& (as !eant to be e5ploite% $or t&e p*rpose o$ slo(l" b*t persistentl"
e5ter!inating t&e Aer!an ele!ent in t&e =*al )onar#&"+
Anot&er reason $or t&e i!possible #&ara#ter o$ t&is allian#e (as t&at nobo%" #o*l% e5pe#t s*#& a State to ta,e an a#tie
part in %e$en%ing Aer!an national interests, seeing t&at it %i% not &ae s*$$i#ient strengt& an% %eter!ination to p*t an en%
to t&e poli#" o$ %e1Aer!ani>ation (it&in its o(n $rontiers+ I$ Aer!an" &ersel$ (as not !oe% b" a s*$$i#ientl" po(er$*l
national senti!ent an% (as not s*$$i#ientl" r*t&less to ta,e a(a" $ro! t&at abs*r% Habsb*rg State t&e rig&t to %e#i%e t&e
%estinies o$ ten !illion in&abitants (&o (ere o$ t&e sa!e nationalit" as t&e Aer!ans t&e!seles, s*rel" it (as o*t o$ t&e
/*estion to e5pe#t t&e Habsb*rg State to be a #ollaborating part" in an" great an% #o*rageo*s Aer!an *n%erta,ing+ T&e
attit*%e o$ t&e ol% Rei#& to(ar%s t&e A*strian /*estion !ig&t &ae been ta,en as a test o$ its sta!ina $or t&e str*ggle
(&ere t&e %estinies o$ t&e (&ole nation (ere at sta,e+
In an" #ase, t&e poli#" o$ oppression against t&e Aer!an pop*lation in A*stria s&o*l% not &ae been allo(e% to be #arrie%
on an% to gro( stronger $ro! "ear to "earC $or t&e al*e o$ A*stria as an all" #o*l% be ass*re% onl" b" *p&ol%ing t&e
Aer!an ele!ent t&ere+ 8*t t&at #o*rse (as not $ollo(e%+
.ot&ing (as %rea%e% so !*#& as t&e possibilit" o$ an ar!e% #on$li#tC b*t $inall", an% at a !ost *n$ao*rable !o!ent, t&e
#on$li#t &a% to be $a#e% an% a##epte%+ T&e" t&o*g&t to #*t loose $ro! t&e #or%s o$ %estin", b*t %estin" &el% t&e! $ast+
T&e" %rea!t o$ !aintaining a (orl% pea#e an% (o,e *p to $in% t&e!seles in a (orl% (ar+
An% t&at %rea! o$ pea#e (as a !ost signi$i#ant reason (&" t&e aboe1!entione% t&ir% alternatie $or t&e $*t*re
%eelop!ent o$ Aer!an" (as not een ta,en into #onsi%eration+ T&e $a#t (as re#ogni>e% t&at ne( territor" #o*l% be
gaine% onl" in t&e EastC b*t t&is !eant t&at t&ere (o*l% be $ig&ting a&ea%, (&ereas t&e" (ante% pea#e at an" #ost+ T&e
slogan o$ Aer!an $oreign poli#" at one ti!e *se% to be4 T&e *se o$ all possible !eans $or t&e !aintenan#e o$ t&e Aer!an
nation+ .o( it (as #&ange% to4 )aintenan#e o$ (orl% pea#e b" all possible !eans+ 3e ,no( (&at t&e res*lt (as+ I s&all
res*!e t&e %is#*ssion o$ t&is point in %etail later on+
T&ere re!aine% still anot&er alternatie, (&i#& (e !a" #all t&e $o*rt&+ T&is (as4 In%*str" an% (orl% tra%e, naal po(er
an% #olonies+
S*#& a %eelop!ent !ig&t #ertainl" &ae been attaine% !ore easil" an% !ore rapi%l"+ To #oloni>e a territor" is a slo(
pro#ess, o$ten e5ten%ing oer #ent*ries+ Ket t&is $a#t is t&e so*r#e o$ its inner strengt&, $or it is not t&ro*g& a s*%%en b*rst
o$ ent&*sias! t&at it #an be p*t into e$$e#t, b*t rat&er t&ro*g& a gra%*al an% en%*ring pro#ess o$ gro(t& /*ite %i$$erent
$ro! in%*strial progress, (&i#& #an be *rge% on b" a%ertise!ent (it&in a $e( "ears+ T&e res*lt t&*s a#&iee%, &o(eer, is
not o$ lasting /*alit" b*t so!et&ing $rail, li,e a soap1b*bble+ It is !*#& easier to b*il% /*i#,l" t&an to #arr" t&ro*g& t&e
to*g& tas, o$ settling a territor" (it& $ar!ers an% establis&ing $ar!stea%s+ 8*t t&e $or!er is !ore /*i#,l" %estro"e% t&an
t&e latter+
In a%opting s*#& a #o*rse Aer!an" !*st &ae ,no(n t&at to $ollo( it o*t (o*l% ne#essaril" !ean (ar sooner or later+
Onl" #&il%ren #o*l% beliee t&at s(eet an% *n#t*o*s e5pressions o$ goo%ness an% persistent ao(als o$ pea#e$*l intentions
#o*l% get t&e! t&eir bananas t&ro*g& t&is M$rien%l" #o!petition bet(een t&e nations, (it& t&e prospe#t o$ neer &aing to
$ig&t $or t&e!+
.o+ On#e (e &a% ta,en t&is roa%, Englan% (as bo*n% to be o*r ene!" at so!e ti!e or ot&er to #o!e+ O$ #o*rse it $itte% in
ni#el" (it& o*r inno#ent ass*!ptions, b*t still it (as abs*r% to gro( in%ignant at t&e $a#t t&at a %a" #a!e (&en t&e
Englis& too, t&e libert" o$ opposing o*r pea#e$*l penetration (it& t&e br*talit" o$ iolent egoists+
.at*rall", (e on o*r si%e (o*l% neer &ae %one s*#& a t&ing+
I$ a E*ropean territorial poli#" against R*ssia #o*l% &ae been p*t into pra#ti#e onl" in #ase (e &a% Englan% as o*r all",
on t&e ot&er &an% a #olonial an% (orl%1tra%e poli#" #o*l% &ae been #arrie% into e$$e#t onl" against Englis& interests an%
(it& t&e s*pport o$ R*ssia+ 8*t t&en t&is poli#" s&o*l% &ae been a%opte% in $*ll #ons#io*sness o$ all t&e #onse/*en#es it
inole% an%, aboe all t&ings, A*stria s&o*l% &ae been %is#ar%e% as /*i#,l" as possible+
At t&e t*rn o$ t&e #ent*r" t&e allian#e (it& A*stria &a% be#o!e a eritable abs*r%it" $ro! all points o$ ie(+
8*t nobo%" t&o*g&t o$ $or!ing an allian#e (it& R*ssia against Englan%, 0*st as nobo%" t&o*g&t o$ !a,ing Englan% an
all" against R*ssiaC $or in eit&er #ase t&e $inal res*lt (o*l% ineitabl" &ae !eant (ar+ An% to aoi% (ar (as t&e er"
reason (&" a #o!!er#ial an% in%*strial poli#" (as %e#i%e% *pon+ It (as beliee% t&at t&e pea#e$*l #on/*est o$ t&e (orl%
b" #o!!er#ial !eans proi%e% a !et&o% (&i#& (o*l% per!anentl" s*pplant t&e poli#" o$ $or#e+ O##asionall", &o(eer,
t&ere (ere %o*bts abo*t t&e e$$i#ien#" o$ t&is prin#iple, espe#iall" (&en so!e /*ite in#o!pre&ensible (arnings #a!e $ro!
Englan% no( an% again+ T&at (as t&e reason (&" t&e $leet (as b*ilt+ It (as not $or t&e p*rpose o$ atta#,ing or
anni&ilating Englan% b*t !erel" to %e$en% t&e #on#ept o$ (orl%1pea#e, !entione% aboe, an% also to prote#t t&e prin#iple
o$ #on/*ering t&e (orl% b" Mpea#e$*l !eans+ T&ere$ore t&is $leet (as ,ept (it&in !o%est li!its, not onl" as regar%s t&e
n*!ber an% tonnage o$ t&e essels b*t also in regar% to t&eir ar!a!ent, t&e i%ea being to $*rnis& ne( proo$s o$ pea#e$*l
intentions+
T&e #&atter abo*t t&e pea#e$*l #on/*est o$ t&e (orl% b" #o!!er#ial !eans (as probabl" t&e !ost #o!pletel" nonsensi#al
st*$$ eer raise% to t&e %ignit" o$ a g*i%ing prin#iple in t&e poli#" o$ a State, T&is nonsense be#a!e een !ore $oolis&
(&en Englan% (as pointe% o*t as a t"pi#al e5a!ple to proe &o( t&e t&ing #o*l% be p*t into pra#ti#e+ O*r %o#trinal (a" o$
regar%ing &istor" an% o*r pro$essorial i%eas in t&at %o!ain &ae %one irreparable &ar! an% o$$er a stri,ing Mproo$ o$ &o(
people Mlearn &istor" (it&o*t *n%erstan%ing an"t&ing o$ it+ As a !atter o$ $a#t, Englan% o*g&t to &ae been loo,e% *pon
as a #onin#ing arg*!ent against t&e t&eor" o$ t&e pa#i$i# #on/*est o$ t&e (orl% b" #o!!er#ial !eans+ .o nation
prepare% t&e (a" $or its #o!!er#ial #on/*ests !ore br*tall" t&an Englan% %i% b" !eans o$ t&e s(or%, an% no ot&er nation
&as %e$en%e% s*#& #on/*ests !ore r*t&lessl"+ Is it not a #&ara#teristi# /*alit" o$ 8ritis& state#ra$t t&at it ,no(s &o( to *se
politi#al po(er in or%er to gain e#ono!i# a%antages an%, inersel", to t*rn e#ono!i# #on/*ests into politi#al po(er@
3&at an asto*n%ing error it (as to beliee t&at Englan% (o*l% not &ae t&e #o*rage to gie its o(n bloo% $or t&e p*rposes
o$ its o(n e#ono!i# e5pansionN T&e $a#t t&at Englan% %i% not possess a national ar!" proe% not&ingC $or it is not t&e
a#t*al !ilitar" str*#t*re o$ t&e !o!ent t&at !atters b*t rat&er t&e (ill an% %eter!ination to *se (&ateer !ilitar" strengt&
is aailable+ Englan% &as al(a"s &a% t&e ar!a!ent (&i#& s&e nee%e%+ S&e al(a"s $o*g&t (it& t&ose (eapons (&i#& (ere
ne#essar" $or s*##ess+ S&e sent !er#enar" troops, to $ig&t as long as !er#enaries s*$$i#e%C b*t s&e neer &esitate% to %ra(
&eail" an% %eepl" $ro! t&e best bloo% o$ t&e (&ole nation (&en i#tor" #o*l% be obtaine% onl" b" s*#& a sa#ri$i#e+ An% in
eer" #ase t&e $ig&ting spirit, %ogge% %eter!ination, an% *se o$ br*tal !eans in #on%*#ting !ilitar" operations &ae
al(a"s re!aine% t&e sa!e+
8*t in Aer!an", t&ro*g& t&e !e%i*! o$ t&e s#&ools, t&e Press an% t&e #o!i# papers, an i%ea o$ t&e Englis&!an (as
gra%*all" $or!e% (&i#& (as bo*n% eent*all" to lea% to t&e (orst ,in% o$ sel$1%e#eption+ T&is abs*r%it" slo(l" b*t
persistentl" sprea% into eer" /*arter o$ Aer!an li$e+ T&e res*lt (as an *n%eral*ation $or (&i#& (e &ae &a% to pa" a
&ea" penalt"+ T&e %el*sion (as so pro$o*n% t&at t&e Englis&!an (as loo,e% *pon as a s&re(% b*siness !an, b*t
personall" a #o(ar% een to an in#re%ible %egree+ Un$ort*natel" o*r lo$t" tea#&ers o$ pro$essorial &istor" %i% not bring
&o!e to t&e !in%s o$ t&eir p*pils t&e tr*t& t&at it is not possible to b*il% *p s*#& a !ig&t" organi>ation as t&e 8ritis&
E!pire b" !ere s(in%le an% $ra*%+ T&e $e( (&o #alle% attention to t&at tr*t& (ere eit&er ignore% or silen#e%+ I #an ii%l"
re#all to !in% t&e astonis&e% loo,s o$ !" #o!ra%es (&en t&e" $o*n% t&e!seles personall" $a#e to $a#e $or t&e $irst ti!e
(it& t&e To!!ies in Flan%ers+ A$ter a $e( %a"s o$ $ig&ting t&e #ons#io*sness slo(l" %a(ne% on o*r sol%iers t&at t&ose
S#ots!en (ere not li,e t&e ones (e &a% seen %es#ribe% an% #ari#at*re% in t&e #o!i# papers an% !entione% in t&e
#o!!*ni/*Qs+
It (as t&en t&at I $or!e% !" $irst i%eas o$ t&e e$$i#ien#" o$ ario*s $or!s o$ propagan%a+
S*#& a $alsi$i#ation, &o(eer, sere% t&e p*rpose o$ t&ose (&o &a% $abri#ate% it+ T&is #ari#at*re o$ t&e Englis&!an, t&o*g&
$alse, #o*l% be *se% to proe t&e possibilit" o$ #on/*ering t&e (orl% pea#e$*ll" b" #o!!er#ial !eans+ 3&ere t&e
Englis&!an s*##ee%e% (e s&o*l% also s*##ee%+ O*r $ar greater &onest" an% o*r $ree%o! $ro! t&at spe#i$i#all" Englis&
Mper$i%" (o*l% be assets on o*r si%e+ T&ereb" it (as &ope% t&at t&e s"!pat&" o$ t&e s!aller nations an% t&e #on$i%en#e o$
t&e greater nations #o*l% be gaine% !ore easil"+
3e %i% not reali>e t&at o*r &onest" (as an ob0e#t o$ pro$o*n% aersion $or ot&er people be#a*se (e o*rseles beliee% in it+
T&e rest o$ t&e (orl% loo,e% on o*r be&aio*r as t&e !ani$estation o$ a s&re(% %e#eit$*lnessC b*t (&en t&e reol*tion
#a!e, t&en t&e" (ere a!a>e% at t&e %eeper insig&t it gae t&e! into o*r !entalit", sin#ere een be"on% t&e li!its o$
st*pi%it"+
On#e (e *n%erstan% t&e part pla"e% b" t&at abs*r% notion o$ #on/*ering t&e (orl% b" pea#e$*l #o!!er#ial !eans (e #an
#learl" *n%erstan% &o( t&at ot&er abs*r%it", t&e Triple Allian#e, #a!e to e5ist+ 3it& (&at State t&en #o*l% an allian#e
&ae been !a%e@ In allian#e (it& A*stria (e #o*l% not a#/*ire ne( territor" b" !ilitar" !eans, een in E*rope+ An% t&is
er" $a#t (as t&e real reason $or t&e inner (ea,ness o$ t&e Triple Allian#e+ A 8is!ar#, #o*l% per!it &i!sel$ s*#& a
!a,es&i$t $or t&e ne#essities o$ t&e !o!ent, b*t #ertainl" not an" o$ &is b*ngling s*##essors, an% least o$ all (&en t&e
$o*n%ations no longer e5iste% on (&i#& 8is!ar#, &a% $or!e% t&e Triple Allian#e+ In 8is!ar#,s ti!e A*stria #o*l% still
be loo,e% *pon as a Aer!an StateC b*t t&e gra%*al intro%*#tion o$ *niersal s*$$rage t*rne% t&e #o*ntr" into a
parlia!entar" 8abel, in (&i#& t&e Aer!an oi#e (as s#ar#el" a*%ible+
Fro! t&e ie(point o$ ra#ial poli#", t&is allian#e (it& A*stria (as si!pl" %isastro*s+ A ne( Slai# Areat Po(er (as
allo(e% to gro( *p #lose to t&e $rontiers o$ t&e Aer!an E!pire+ 'ater on t&is Po(er (as bo*n% to a%opt to(ar%s Aer!an"
an attit*%e %i$$erent $ro! t&at o$ R*ssia, $or e5a!ple+ T&e Allian#e (as t&*s bo*n% to be#o!e !ore e!pt" an% !ore
$eeble, be#a*se t&e onl" s*pporters o$ it (ere losing t&eir in$l*en#e an% (ere being s"ste!ati#all" p*s&e% o*t o$ t&e !ore
i!portant p*bli# o$$i#es+
Abo*t t&e "ear 1977 t&e Allian#e (it& A*stria &a% alrea%" entere% t&e sa!e p&ase as t&e Allian#e bet(een A*stria an%
Ital"+
Here also onl" one alternatie (as possible4 Eit&er to ta,e t&e si%e o$ t&e Habsb*rg )onar#&" or to raise a protest against
t&e oppression o$ t&e Aer!an ele!ent in A*stria+ 8*t, generall" spea,ing, (&en one ta,es s*#& a #o*rse it is bo*n%
eent*all" to lea% to open #on$li#t+
Fro! t&e ps"#&ologi#al point o$ ie( also, t&e Triple %e#reases a##or%ing as s*#& an allian#e li!its its ob0e#t to t&e
%e$en#e o$ t&e stat*s /*o+ 8*t, on t&e ot&er &an%, an allian#e (ill in#rease its #o&esie strengt& t&e !ore t&e parties
#on#erne% in it !a" &ope to *se it as a !eans o$ rea#&ing so!e pra#ti#al goal o$ e5pansion+ Here, as eer"(&ere else,
strengt& %oes not lie in %e$en#e b*t in atta#,+
T&is tr*t& (as re#ogni>e% in ario*s /*arters b*t, *n$ort*natel", not b" t&e so1#alle% ele#te% representaties o$ t&e people+
As earl" as 1912 '*%en%or$$, (&o (as t&en Colonel an% an O$$i#er o$ t&e Aeneral Sta$$, pointe% o*t t&ese (ea, $eat*res o$
t&e Allian#e in a !e!oran%*! (&i#& &e t&en %re( *p+ 8*t o$ #o*rse t&e Mstates!en %i% not atta#& an" i!portan#e or
al*e to t&at %o#*!ent+ In general it (o*l% see! as i$ reason (ere a $a#*lt" t&at is a#tie onl" in t&e #ase o$ or%inar"
!ortals b*t t&at it is entirel" absent (&en (e #o!e to %eal (it& t&at bran#& o$ t&e spe#ies ,no(n as M%iplo!ats+
It (as l*#," $or Aer!an" t&at t&e (ar o$ 1914 bro,e o*t (it& A*stria as its %ire#t #a*se, $or t&*s t&e Habsb*rgs (ere
#o!pelle% to parti#ipate+ Ha% t&e origin o$ t&e 3ar been ot&er(ise, Aer!an" (o*l% &ae been le$t to &er o(n reso*r#es+
T&e Habsb*rg State (o*l% neer &ae been rea%" or (illing to ta,e part in a (ar $or t&e origin o$ (&i#& Aer!an" (as
responsible+ 3&at (as t&e ob0e#t o$ so !*#& oblo/*" later in t&e #ase o$ Ital"s %e#ision (o*l% &ae ta,en pla#e, onl"
earlier, in t&e #ase o$ A*stria+ In ot&er (or%s, i$ Aer!an" &a% been $or#e% to go to (ar $or so!e reason o$ its o(n, A*stria
(o*l% &ae re!aine% Mne*tral in or%er to sa$eg*ar% t&e State against a reol*tion (&i#& !ig&t begin i!!e%iatel" a$ter
t&e (ar &a% starte%+ T&e Sla ele!ent (o*l% &ae pre$erre% to s!as& *p t&e =*al )onar#&" in 1914 rat&er t&an per!it it
to #o!e to t&e assistan#e o$ Aer!an"+ 8*t at t&at ti!e t&ere (ere onl" a $e( (&o *n%erstoo% all t&e %angers an%
aggraations (&i#& res*lte% $ro! t&e allian#e (it& t&e =an*bian )onar#&"+
In t&e $irst pla#e, A*stria &a% too !an" ene!ies (&o (ere eagerl" loo,ing $or(ar% to obtain t&e &eritage o$ t&at %e#repit
State, so t&at t&ese people gra%*all" %eelope% a #ertain ani!osit" against Aer!an", be#a*se Aer!an" (as an obsta#le to
t&eir %esires inas!*#& as it ,ept t&e =*al )onar#&" $ro! $alling to pie#es, a #ons*!!ation t&at (as &ope% $or an%
"earne% $or on all si%es+ T&e #oni#tion %eelope% t&at Bienna #o*l% be rea#&e% onl" b" passing t&ro*g& 8erlin+
In t&e se#on% pla#e, b" a%opting t&is poli#" Aer!an" lost its best an% !ost pro!ising #&an#es o$ ot&er allian#es+ In pla#e
o$ t&ese possibilities one no( obsere% a gro(ing tension in t&e relations (it& R*ssia an% een (it& Ital"+ An% t&is in spite
o$ t&e $a#t t&at t&e general attit*%e in Ro!e (as 0*st as $ao*rable to Aer!an" as it (as &ostile to A*stria, a &ostilit"
(&i#& la" %or!ant in t&e in%ii%*al Italian an% bro,e o*t iolentl" on o##asion+
Sin#e a #o!!er#ial an% in%*strial poli#" &a% been a%opte%, no !otie (as le$t $or (aging (ar against R*ssia+ Onl" t&e
ene!ies o$ t&e t(o #o*ntries, Aer!an" an% R*ssia, #o*l% &ae an a#tie interest in s*#& a (ar *n%er t&ese #ir#*!stan#es+
As a !atter o$ $a#t, it (as onl" t&e -e(s an% t&e )ar5ists (&o trie% to stir *p ba% bloo% bet(een t&e t(o States+
In t&e t&ir% pla#e, t&e Allian#e #onstit*te% a per!anent %anger to Aer!an se#*rit"C $or an" great Po(er t&at (as &ostile to
8is!ar#,s E!pire #o*l% !obili>e a (&ole lot o$ ot&er States in a (ar against Aer!an" b" pro!ising t&e! te!pting
spoils at t&e e5pense o$ t&e A*strian all"+
It (as possible to aro*se t&e (&ole o$ Eastern E*rope against A*stria, espe#iall" R*ssia, an% Ital" also+ T&e (orl%
#oalition (&i#& &a% %eelope% *n%er t&e lea%ers&ip o$ ;ing E%(ar% #o*l% neer &ae be#o!e a realit" i$ Aer!an"s all",
A*stria, &a% not o$$ere% s*#& an all*ring prospe#t o$ boot"+ It (as t&is $a#t alone (&i#& !a%e it possible to #o!bine so
!an" &eterogeneo*s States (it& %iergent interests into one #o!!on p&alan5 o$ atta#,+ Eer" !e!ber #o*l% &ope to
enri#& &i!sel$ at t&e e5pense o$ A*stria i$ &e 0oine% in t&e general atta#, against Aer!an"+ T&e $a#t t&at T*r,e" (as also
a ta#it part" to t&e *n$ort*nate allian#e (it& A*stria a*g!ente% Aer!an"s peril to an e5traor%inar" %egree+
-e(is& international $inan#e nee%e% t&is bait o$ t&e A*strian &eritage in or%er to #arr" o*t its plans o$ r*ining Aer!an"C
$or Aer!an" &a% not "et s*rren%ere% to t&e general #ontrol (&i#& t&e international #aptains o$ $inan#e an% tra%e e5er#ise%
oer t&e ot&er States+ T&*s it (as possible to #onsoli%ate t&at #oalition an% !a,e it strong eno*g& an% brae eno*g&,
t&ro*g& t&e s&eer (eig&t o$ n*!bers, to 0oin in bo%il" #on$li#t (it& t&e M&orne% Sieg$rie%+9G
T&e allian#e (it& t&e Habsb*rg )onar#&", (&i#& I loat&e% (&ile still in A*stria, (as t&e s*b0e#t o$ grae #on#ern on !"
part an% #a*se% !e to !e%itate on it so persistentl" t&at $inall" I #a!e to t&e #on#l*sions (&i#& I &ae !entione% aboe+
In t&e s!all #ir#les (&i#& I $re/*ente% at t&at ti!e I %i% not #on#eal !" #oni#tion t&at t&is sinister agree!ent (it& a
State %oo!e% to #ollapse (o*l% also bring #atastrop&e to Aer!an" i$ s&e %i% not $ree &ersel$ $ro! it in ti!e+ I neer $or a
!o!ent (aere% in t&at $ir! #oni#tion, een (&en t&e te!pest o$ t&e 3orl% 3ar see!e% to &ae !a%e s&ip(re#, o$ t&e
reasoning $a#*lt" itsel$ an% &a% p*t blin% ent&*sias! in its pla#e, een a!ong t&ose #ir#les (&ere t&e #oolest an% &ar%est
ob0e#tie t&in,ing o*g&t to &ae &el% s(a"+ In t&e tren#&es I oi#e% an% *p&el% !" o(n opinion (&eneer t&ese proble!s
#a!e *n%er %is#*ssion+ I &el% t&at to aban%on t&e Habsb*rg )onar#&" (o*l% inole no sa#ri$i#e i$ Aer!an" #o*l%
t&ereb" re%*#e t&e n*!ber o$ &er o(n ene!iesC $or t&e !illions o$ Aer!ans (&o &a% %onne% t&e steel &el!et &a% %one so
not to $ig&t $or t&e !aintenan#e o$ a #orr*pt %"nast" b*t rat&er $or t&e salation o$ t&e Aer!an people+
8e$ore t&e 3ar t&ere (ere o##asions on (&i#& it see!e% t&at at least one se#tion o$ t&e Aer!an p*bli# &a% so!e slig&t
!isgiings abo*t t&e politi#al (is%o! o$ t&e allian#e (it& A*stria+ Fro! ti!e to ti!e Aer!an #onseratie #ir#les iss*e%
(arnings against being oer1#on$i%ent abo*t t&e (ort& o$ t&at allian#eC b*t, li,e eer" ot&er reasonable s*ggestion !a%e at
t&at ti!e, it (as t&ro(n to t&e (in%s+ T&e general #oni#tion (as t&at t&e rig&t !eas*res &a% been a%opte% to M#on/*er
t&e (orl%, t&at t&e s*##ess o$ t&ese !eas*res (o*l% be enor!o*s an% t&e sa#ri$i#es negligible+
On#e again t&e M*ninitiate% la"!an #o*l% %o not&ing b*t obsere &o( t&e Mele#t (ere !ar#&ing straig&t a&ea% to(ar%s
%isaster an% enti#ing t&eir beloe% people to $ollo( t&e!, as t&e rats $ollo(e% t&e Pie% Piper o$ Ha!elin+
I$ (e (o*l% loo, $or t&e %eeper gro*n%s (&i#& !a%e it possible to $oist on t&e people t&is abs*r% notion o$ pea#e$*ll"
#on/*ering t&e (orl% t&ro*g& #o!!er#ial penetration, an% &o( it (as possible to p*t $or(ar% t&e !aintenan#e o$ (orl%1
pea#e as a national ai!, (e s&all $in% t&at t&ese gro*n%s la" in a general !orbi% #on%ition t&at &a% pera%e% t&e (&ole
bo%" o$ Aer!an politi#al t&o*g&t+
T&e tri*!p&ant progress o$ te#&ni#al s#ien#e in Aer!an" an% t&e !arello*s %eelop!ent o$ Aer!an in%*stries an%
#o!!er#e le% *s to $orget t&at a po(er$*l State &a% been t&e ne#essar" pre1re/*isite o$ t&at s*##ess+ On t&e #ontrar",
#ertain #ir#les (ent een so $ar as to gie ent to t&e t&eor" t&at t&e State o(e% its er" e5isten#e to t&ese p&eno!enaC t&at
it (as, aboe all, an e#ono!i# instit*tion an% s&o*l% be #onstit*te% in a##or%an#e (it& e#ono!i# interests+ T&ere$ore, it
(as &el%, t&e State (as %epen%ent on t&e e#ono!i# str*#t*re+ T&is #on%ition o$ t&ings (as loo,e% *pon an% glori$ie% as
t&e so*n%est an% !ost nor!al arrange!ent+
.o(, t&e tr*t& is t&at t&e State in itsel$ &as not&ing (&atsoeer to %o (it& an" %e$inite e#ono!i# #on#ept or a %e$inite
e#ono!i# %eelop!ent+ It %oes not arise $ro! a #o!pa#t !a%e bet(een #ontra#ting parties, (it&in a #ertain %eli!ite%
territor", $or t&e p*rpose o$ sering e#ono!i# en%s+ T&e State is a #o!!*nit" o$ liing beings (&o &ae ,in%re% p&"si#al
an% spirit*al nat*res, organi>e% $or t&e p*rpose o$ ass*ring t&e #onseration o$ t&eir o(n ,in% an% to &elp to(ar%s
$*l$illing t&ose en%s (&i#& Proi%en#e &as assigne% to t&at parti#*lar ra#e or ra#ial bran#&+ T&erein, an% t&erein alone, lie
t&e p*rpose an% !eaning o$ a State+ E#ono!i# a#tiit" is one o$ t&e !an" a*5iliar" !eans (&i#& are ne#essar" $or t&e
attain!ent o$ t&ose ai!s+ 8*t e#ono!i# a#tiit" is neer t&e origin or p*rpose o$ a State, e5#ept (&ere a State &as been
originall" $o*n%e% on a $alse an% *nnat*ral basis+ An% t&is alone e5plains (&" a State as s*#& %oes not ne#essaril" nee% a
#ertain %eli!ite% territor" as a #on%ition o$ its establis&!ent+ T&is #on%ition be#o!es a ne#essar" pre1re/*isite onl" a!ong
t&ose people (&o (o*l% proi%e an% ass*re s*bsisten#e $or t&eir ,ins$ol, t&ro*g& t&eir o(n in%*str", (&i#& !eans t&at
t&e" are rea%" to #arr" on t&e str*ggle $or e5isten#e b" !eans o$ t&eir o(n (or,+ People (&o #an snea, t&eir (a", li,e
parasites, into t&e &*!an bo%" politi# an% !a,e ot&ers (or, $or t&e! *n%er ario*s preten#es #an $or! a State (it&o*t
possessing an" %e$inite %eli!ite% territor"+ T&is is #&ie$l" appli#able to t&at parasiti# nation (&i#&, parti#*larl" at t&e
present ti!e pre"s *pon t&e &onest portion o$ !an,in%C I !ean t&e -e(s+
T&e -e(is& State &as neer been %eli!ite% in spa#e+ It &as been sprea% all oer t&e (orl%, (it&o*t an" $rontiers
(&atsoeer, an% &as al(a"s been #onstit*te% $ro! t&e !e!bers&ip o$ one ra#e e5#l*siel"+ T&at is (&" t&e -e(s &ae
al(a"s $or!e% a State (it&in t&e State+ One o$ t&e !ost ingenio*s tri#,s eer %eise% &as been t&at o$ sailing t&e -e(is&
s&ip1o$1state *n%er t&e $lag o$ Religion an% t&*s se#*ring t&at toleran#e (&i#& Ar"ans are al(a"s rea%" to grant to
%i$$erent religio*s $ait&s+ 8*t t&e )osai# 'a( is reall" not&ing else t&an t&e %o#trine o$ t&e preseration o$ t&e -e(is&
ra#e+ T&ere$ore t&is 'a( ta,es in all sp&eres o$ so#iologi#al, politi#al an% e#ono!i# s#ien#e (&i#& &ae a bearing on t&e
!ain en% in ie(+
T&e instin#t $or t&e preseration o$ ones o(n spe#ies is t&e pri!ar" #a*se t&at lea%s to t&e $or!ation o$ &*!an
#o!!*nities+ Hen#e t&e State is a ra#ial organis!, an% not an e#ono!i# organi>ation+ T&e %i$$eren#e bet(een t&e t(o is
so great as to be in#o!pre&ensible to o*r #onte!porar" so1#alle% Mstates!en+ T&at is (&" t&e" li,e to beliee t&at t&e
State !a" be #onstit*te% as an e#ono!i# str*#t*re, (&ereas t&e tr*t& is t&at it &as al(a"s res*lte% $ro! t&e e5er#ise o$
t&ose /*alities (&i#& are part o$ t&e (ill to presere t&e spe#ies an% t&e ra#e+ 8*t t&ese /*alities al(a"s e5ist an% operate
t&ro*g& t&e &eroi# irt*es an% &ae not&ing to %o (it& #o!!er#ial egois!C $or t&e #onseration o$ t&e spe#ies al(a"s
pres*pposes t&at t&e in%ii%*al is rea%" to sa#ri$i#e &i!sel$+ S*#& is t&e !eaning o$ t&e poets lines4
Un% set>et i&r ni#&t %as 'eben ein,
.ie (ir% e*#& %as 'eben ge(onnen sein+
FAn% i$ "o* %o not sta,e "o*r li$e,
Ko* (ill neer (in li$e $or "o*rsel$+G 17G
T&e sa#ri$i#e o$ t&e in%ii%*al e5isten#e is ne#essar" in or%er to ass*re t&e #onseration o$ t&e ra#e+ Hen#e it is t&at t&e
!ost essential #on%ition $or t&e establis&!ent an% !aintenan#e o$ a State is a #ertain $eeling o$ soli%arit", (o*n%e% in an
i%entit" o$ #&ara#ter an% ra#e an% in a resol*te rea%iness to %e$en% t&ese at all #osts+ 3it& people (&o lie on t&eir o(n
territor" t&is (ill res*lt in a %eelop!ent o$ t&e &eroi# irt*esC (it& a parasiti# people it (ill %eelop t&e arts o$ s*bter$*ge
an% gross per$i%" *nless (e a%!it t&at t&ese #&ara#teristi#s are innate an% t&at t&e ar"ing politi#al $or!s t&ro*g& (&i#&
t&e parasiti# ra#e e5presses itsel$ are onl" t&e o*t(ar% !ani$estations o$ innate #&ara#teristi#s+ At least in t&e beginning,
t&e $or!ation o$ a State #an res*lt onl" $ro! a !ani$estation o$ t&e &eroi# /*alities I &ae spo,en o$+ An% t&e people (&o
$ail in t&e str*ggle $or e5isten#e, t&at is to sa" t&ose, (&o be#o!e assals an% are t&ereb" #on%e!ne% to %isappear entirel"
sooner or later, are t&ose (&o %o not %ispla" t&e &eroi# irt*es in t&e str*ggle, or t&ose (&o $all i#ti!s to t&e per$i%" o$
t&e parasites+ An% een in t&is latter #ase t&e $ail*re is not so !*#& %*e to la#, o$ intelle#t*al po(ers, b*t rat&er to a la#,
o$ #o*rage an% %eter!ination+ An atte!pt is !a%e to #on#eal t&e real nat*re o$ t&is $ailing b" sa"ing t&at it is t&e &*!ane
$eeling+
T&e /*alities (&i#& are e!plo"e% $or t&e $o*n%ation an% preseration o$ a State &ae a##or%ingl" little or not&ing to %o
(it& t&e e#ono!i# sit*ation+ An% t&is is #onspi#*o*sl" %e!onstrate% b" t&e $a#t t&at t&e inner strengt& o$ a State onl" er"
rarel" #oin#i%es (it& (&at is #alle% its e#ono!i# e5pansion+ On t&e #ontrar", t&ere are n*!ero*s e5a!ples to s&o( t&at a
perio% o$ e#ono!i# prosperit" in%i#ates t&e approa#&ing %e#line o$ a State+ I$ it (ere #orre#t to attrib*te t&e $o*n%ation o$
&*!an #o!!*nities to e#ono!i# $or#es, t&en t&e po(er o$ t&e State as s*#& (o*l% be at its &ig&est pit#& %*ring perio%s o$
e#ono!i# prosperit", an% not i#e ersa+
It is spe#iall" %i$$i#*lt to *n%erstan% &o( t&e belie$ t&at t&e State is bro*g&t into being an% presere% b" e#ono!i# $or#es
#o*l% gain #*rren#" in a #o*ntr" (&i#& &as gien proo$ o$ t&e opposite in eer" p&ase o$ its &istor"+ T&e &istor" o$ Pr*ssia
s&o(s in a !anner parti#*larl" #lear an% %istin#t, t&at it is o*t o$ t&e !oral irt*es o$ t&e people an% not $ro! t&eir
e#ono!i# #ir#*!stan#es t&at a State is $or!e%+ It is onl" *n%er t&e prote#tion o$ t&ose irt*es t&at e#ono!i# a#tiities #an
be %eelope% an% t&e latter (ill #ontin*e to $lo*ris& *ntil a ti!e #o!es (&en t&e #reatie politi#al #apa#it" %e#lines+
T&ere(it& t&e e#ono!i# str*#t*re (ill also brea, %o(n, a p&eno!enon (&i#& is no( &appening in an alar!ing !anner
be$ore o*r e"es+ T&e !aterial interest o$ !an,in% #an prosper onl" in t&e s&a%e o$ t&e &eroi# irt*es+ T&e !o!ent t&e"
be#o!e t&e pri!ar" #onsi%erations o$ li$e t&e" (re#, t&e basis o$ t&eir o(n e5isten#e+
3&eneer t&e politi#al po(er o$ Aer!an" (as spe#iall" strong t&e e#ono!i# sit*ation also i!proe%+ 8*t (&eneer
e#ono!i# interests alone o##*pie% t&e $ore!ost pla#e in t&e li$e o$ t&e people, an% t&r*st trans#en%ent i%eals into t&e
ba#,+1gro*n%, t&e State #ollapse% an% e#ono!i# r*in $ollo(e% rea%il"+
I$ (e #onsi%er t&e /*estion o$ (&at t&ose $or#es a#t*all" are (&i#& are ne#essar" to t&e #reation an% preseration o$ a
State, (e s&all $in% t&at t&e" are4 T&e #apa#it" an% rea%iness to sa#ri$i#e t&e in%ii%*al to t&e #o!!on (el$are+ T&at t&ese
/*alities &ae not&ing at all to %o (it& e#ono!i#s #an be proe% b" re$erring to t&e si!ple $a#t t&at !an %oes not sa#ri$i#e
&i!sel$ $or !aterial interests+ In ot&er (or%s, &e (ill %ie $or an i%eal b*t not $or a b*siness+ T&e !arello*s gi$t $or p*bli#
ps"#&olog" (&i#& t&e Englis& &ae (as neer s&o(n better t&an t&e (a" in (&i#& t&e" presente% t&eir #ase in t&e 3orl%
3ar+ 3e (ere $ig&ting $or o*r brea%C b*t t&e Englis& %e#lare% t&at t&e" (ere $ig&ting $or M$ree%o!, an% not at all $or
t&eir o(n $ree%o!+ O&, no, b*t $or t&e $ree%o! o$ t&e s!all nations+ Aer!an people la*g&e% at t&at e$$ronter" an% (ere
angere% b" itC b*t in %oing so t&e" s&o(e% &o( politi#al t&o*g&t &a% %e#line% a!ong o*r so1#alle% %iplo!ats in Aer!an"
een be$ore t&e 3ar+ T&ese %iplo!atists %i% not &ae t&e slig&test notion o$ (&at t&at $or#e (as (&i#& bro*g&t !en to
$a#e %eat& o$ t&eir o(n $ree (ill an% %eter!ination+
As long as t&e Aer!an people, in t&e 3ar o$ 1914, #ontin*e% to beliee t&at t&e" (ere $ig&ting $or i%eals t&e" stoo% $ir!+
As soon as t&e" (ere tol% t&at t&e" (ere $ig&ting onl" $or t&eir %ail" brea% t&e" began to gie *p t&e str*ggle+
O*r #leer Mstates!en (ere greatl" a!a>e% at t&is #&ange o$ $eeling+ T&e" neer *n%erstoo% t&at as soon as !an is #alle%
*pon to str*ggle $or p*rel" !aterial #a*ses &e (ill aoi% %eat& as best &e #anC $or %eat& an% t&e en0o"!ent o$ t&e !aterial
$r*its o$ a i#tor" are /*ite in#o!patible #on#epts+ T&e $railest (o!an (ill be#o!e a &eroine (&en t&e li$e o$ &er o(n
#&il% is at sta,e+ An% onl" t&e (ill to sae t&e ra#e an% natie lan% or t&e State, (&i#& o$$ers prote#tion to t&e ra#e, &as in
all ages been t&e *rge (&i#& &as $or#e% !en to $a#e t&e (eapons o$ t&eir ene!ies+
T&e $ollo(ing !a" be pro#lai!e% as a tr*t& t&at al(a"s &ol%s goo%4
A State &as neer arisen $ro! #o!!er#ial #a*ses $or t&e p*rpose o$ pea#e$*ll" sering #o!!er#ial en%sC b*t States &ae
al(a"s arisen $ro! t&e instin#t to !aintain t&e ra#ial gro*p, (&et&er t&is instin#t !ani$est itsel$ in t&e &eroi# sp&ere or in
t&e sp&ere o$ #*nning an% #&i#aner"+ In t&e $irst #ase (e &ae t&e Ar"an States, base% on t&e prin#iples o$ (or, an%
#*lt*ral %eelop!ent+ In t&e se#on% #ase (e &ae t&e -e(is& parasiti# #olonies+ 8*t as soon as e#ono!i# interests begin to
pre%o!inate oer t&e ra#ial an% #*lt*ral instin#ts in a people or a State, t&ese e#ono!i# interests *nloose t&e #a*ses t&at
lea% to s*b0*gation an% oppression+
T&e belie$, (&i#& preaile% in Aer!an" be$ore t&e 3ar, t&at t&e (orl% #o*l% be opene% *p an% een #on/*ere% $or
Aer!an" t&ro*g& a s"ste! o$ pea#e$*l #o!!er#ial penetration an% a #olonial poli#" (as a t"pi#al s"!pto! (&i#&
in%i#ate% t&e %e#line o$ t&ose real /*alities (&ereb" States are #reate% an% presere%, an% in%i#ate% also t&e %e#line o$ t&at
insig&t, (ill1po(er an% pra#ti#al %eter!ination (&i#& belong to t&ose /*alities+ T&e 3orl% 3ar (it& its #onse/*en#es,
(as t&e nat*ral li/*i%ation o$ t&at %e#line+
To an"one (&o &a% not t&o*g&t oer t&e !atter %eepl", t&is attit*%e o$ t&e Aer!an people 1 (&i#& (as /*ite general 1
!*st &ae see!e% an insol*ble enig!a+ A$ter all, Aer!an" &ersel$ (as a !agni$i#ent e5a!ple o$ an e!pire t&at &a% been
b*ilt *p p*rel" b" a poli#" o$ po(er+ Pr*ssia, (&i#& (as t&e generatie #ell o$ t&e Aer!an E!pire, &a% been #reate% b"
brilliant &eroi# %ee%s an% not b" a $inan#ial or #o!!er#ial #o!pa#t+ An% t&e E!pire itsel$ (as b*t t&e !agni$i#ent
re#o!pense $or a lea%ers&ip t&at &a% been #on%*#te% on a poli#" o$ po(er an% !ilitar" alo*r+
Ho( t&en %i% it &appen t&at t&e politi#al instin#ts o$ t&is er" sa!e Aer!an people be#a!e so %egenerate@ For it (as not
!erel" one isolate% p&eno!enon (&i#& pointe% to t&is %e#a%en#e, b*t !orbi% s"!pto!s (&i#& appeare% in alar!ing
n*!bers, no( all oer t&e bo%" politi#, or eating into t&e bo%" o$ t&e nation li,e a gangreno*s *l#er+ It see!e% as i$ so!e
all1pera%ing poisono*s $l*i% &a% been in0e#te% b" so!e !"sterio*s &an% into t&e bloo%strea! o$ t&is on#e &eroi# bo%",
bringing abo*t a #reeping paral"sis t&at a$$e#te% t&e reason an% t&e ele!entar" instin#t o$ sel$1preseration+
=*ring t&e "ears 191211914 I *se% to pon%er perpet*all" on t&ose proble!s (&i#& relate% to t&e poli#" o$ t&e Triple
Allian#e an% t&e e#ono!i# poli#" t&en being p*rs*e% b" t&e Aer!an E!pire+ On#e again I #a!e to t&e #on#l*sion t&at t&e
onl" e5planation o$ t&is enig!a la" in t&e operation o$ t&at $or#e (&i#& I &a% alrea%" be#o!e a#/*ainte% (it& in Bienna,
t&o*g& $ro! a %i$$erent angle o$ ision+ T&e $or#e to (&i#& I re$er (as t&e )ar5ist tea#&ing an% 3eltans#&&a**ng an% its
organi>e% a#tion t&ro*g&o*t t&e nation+
For t&e se#on% ti!e in !" li$e I pl*nge% %eep into t&e st*%" o$ t&at %estr*#tie tea#&ing+ T&is ti!e, &o(eer, I (as not
*rge% b" t&e st*%" o$ t&e /*estion b" t&e i!pressions an% in$l*en#es o$ !" %ail" eniron!ent, b*t %ire#te% rat&er b" t&e
obseration o$ general p&eno!ena in t&e politi#al li$e o$ Aer!an"+ In %eling again into t&e t&eoreti#al literat*re o$ t&is
ne( (orl% an% en%eao*ring to get a #lear ie( o$ t&e possible #onse/*en#es o$ its tea#&ing, I #o!pare% t&e t&eoreti#al
prin#iples o$ )ar5is! (it& t&e p&eno!ena an% &appenings bro*g&t abo*t b" its a#tiities in t&e politi#al, #*lt*ral, an%
e#ono!i# sp&eres+
For t&e $irst ti!e in !" li$e I no( t*rne% !" attention to t&e e$$orts t&at (ere being !a%e to s*b%*e t&is *niersal pest+
I st*%ie% 8is!ar#,s e5#eptional legislation in its original #on#ept, its operation an% its res*lts+ Ara%*all" I $or!e% a basis
$or !" o(n opinions, (&i#& &as proe% as soli% as a ro#,, so t&at neer sin#e &ae I &a% to #&ange !" attit*%e to(ar%s t&e
general proble!+ I also !a%e a $*rt&er an% !ore t&oro*g& anal"sis o$ t&e relations bet(een )ar5is! an% -e(r"+
=*ring !" so0o*rn in Bienna I *se% to loo, *pon Aer!an" as an i!pert*rbable #oloss*sC b*t een t&en serio*s %o*bts an%
!isgiings (o*l% o$ten %ist*rb !e+ In !" o(n !in% an% in !" #onersation (it& !" s!all #ir#le o$ a#/*aintan#es I *se%
to #riti#i>e Aer!an"s $oreign poli#" an% t&e in#re%ibl" s*per$i#ial (a", a##or%ing to !" t&in,ing, in (&i#& )ar5is! (as
%ealt (it&, t&o*g& it (as t&en t&e !ost i!portant proble! in Aer!an"+ I #o*l% not *n%erstan% &o( t&e" #o*l% st*!ble
blin%$ol%e% into t&e !i%st o$ t&is peril, t&e e$$e#ts o$ (&i#& (o*l% be !o!ento*s i$ t&e openl" %e#lare% ai!s o$ )ar5is!
#o*l% be p*t into pra#ti#e+ Een as earl" as t&at ti!e I (arne% people aro*n% !e, 0*st as I a! (arning a (i%er a*%ien#e
no(, against t&at soot&ing slogan o$ all in%olent an% $e#,less nat*re4 .ot&ing #an &appen to *s+ A si!ilar !ental
#ontagion &a% alrea%" %estro"e% a !ig&t" e!pire+ Can Aer!an" es#ape t&e operation o$ t&ose la(s to (&i#& all ot&er
&*!an #o!!*nities are s*b0e#t@
In t&e "ears 1912 an% 1914 I e5presse% !" opinion $or t&e $irst ti!e in ario*s #ir#les, so!e o$ (&i#& are no( !e!bers o$
t&e .ational So#ialist )oe!ent, t&at t&e proble! o$ &o( t&e $*t*re o$ t&e Aer!an nation #an be se#*re% is t&e proble!
o$ &o( )ar5is! #an be e5ter!inate%+
I #onsi%ere% t&e %isastro*s poli#" o$ t&e Triple Allian#e as one o$ t&e #onse/*en#es res*lting $ro! t&e %isintegrating
e$$e#ts o$ t&e )ar5ist tea#&ingC $or t&e alar!ing $eat*re (as t&at t&is tea#&ing (as inisibl" #orr*pting t&e $o*n%ations o$
a &ealt&" politi#al an% e#ono!i# o*tloo,+ T&ose (&o &a% been t&e!seles #onta!inate% $re/*entl" %i% not realise t&at
t&eir ai!s an% a#tions sprang $ro! t&is 3eltans#&&a**ng, (&i#& t&e" ot&er(ise openl" rep*%iate%+
'ong be$ore t&en t&e spirit*al an% !oral %e#line o$ t&e Aer!an people &a% set in, t&o*g& t&ose (&o (ere a$$e#te% b" t&e
!orbi% %e#a%en#e (ere $re/*entl" *na(are 1 as o$ten &appens 1 o$ t&e $or#es (&i#& (ere brea,ing *p t&eir er" e5isten#e+
So!eti!es t&e" trie% to #*re t&e %isease b" %o#toring t&e s"!pto!s, (&i#& (ere ta,en as t&e #a*se+ 8*t sin#e nobo%"
re#ogni>e%, or (ante% to re#ogni>e, t&e real #a*se o$ t&e %isease t&is (a" o$ #o!bating )ar5is! (as no !ore e$$e#tie
t&an t&e appli#ation o$ so!e /*a#,s oint!ent+
C&apter Fie4
=*ring t&e boistero*s "ears o$ !" "o*t& not&ing *se% to %a!p !" (il% spirits so !*#& as to t&in, t&at I (as born at a
ti!e (&en t&e (orl% &a% !ani$estl" %e#i%e% not to ere#t an" !ore te!ples o$ $a!e e5#ept in &ono*r o$ b*siness people
an% State o$$i#ials+ T&e te!pest o$ &istori#al a#&iee!ents see!e% to &ae per!anentl" s*bsi%e%, so !*#& so t&at t&e
$*t*re appeare% to be irreo#abl" %eliere% oer to (&at (as #alle% pea#e$*l #o!petition bet(een t&e nations+ T&is si!pl"
!eant a s"ste! o$ !*t*al e5ploitation b" $ra*%*lent !eans, t&e prin#iple o$ resorting to t&e *se o$ $or#e in sel$1%e$en#e
being $or!all" e5#l*%e%+ In%ii%*al #o*ntries in#reasingl" ass*!e% t&e appearan#e o$ #o!!er#ial *n%erta,ings, grabbing
territor" an% #lients an% #on#essi