ssary. Kultur sanctifies the demon within us, and
is above morality, reason and science. We are going to impose Kultur by
force of the cannon."

Argensola continued, saying with his eyes, "They are crazy, crazy with
pride! . . . What can the world expect of such people!"

Desnoyers here intervened in order to brighten this gloomy monologue
with a little optimism. War had not yet been positively declared. The
diplomats were still trying to arrange matters. Perhaps it might all
turn out peaceably at the last minute, as had so often happened before.
His cousin was seeing things entirely distorted by an aggressive
enthusiasm.

Oh, the ironical, ferocious and cutting smile of the Doctor! Argensola
had never known old Madariaga, but it, nevertheless, occurred to him
that in this fashion sharks must smile, although he, too, had never seen
a shark.

"It is war," boomed Hartrott. "When I left Germany, fifteen days ago, I
knew that war was inevitable."

The certainty with which he said this dissipated all Julio's hope.
Moreover, this man's trip, on the pretext of seeing his mother,
disquieted him. . . . On what mission had Doctor Julius von Hartrott
come to Paris? . . .

"Well, then," asked Desnoyers, "why so many diplomatic interviews? Why
does the German government intervene at all--although in such a lukewarm
way--in the struggle between Austria and Servia. . . . Would it not be
better to declare war right out?"

The professor replied with simplicity: "Our government undoubtedly
wishes that the others should declare the war. The role of outraged
dignity is always the most pleasing one and justifies all ulterior
resolutions, however extreme they may seem. There are some of our people
who are living comfortably and do not desire war. It is expedient to
make them believe that those who impose it upon us are our enemies so
that they may feel the necessity of defending themselves. Only superior
minds reach the conviction of the great advancement that can be
accomplished by the sword alone, and that war, as our grand Treitschke
says, is the highest form of progress."

Again he smiled with a ferocious expression. Morality, from his point of
view, should exist among individuals only to make them more obedient
and disciplined, for morality per se impedes governments and should be
suppressed as a useless obstacle. For the State there exists neither
truth nor falsehood; it only recognizes the utility of things. The
glorious Bi