Then follows what in our opinion is the most vital
as well as an indisputable point in the arraignment of our enemies. We quote it textually:— "If at this moment there be an established historical fact, it is the aggressive will of Germany and Austria to ensure their mastery over Europe and their economic domination over the world. By her de- claration of war, by the immediate violation of Belgium and Luxemburg, and by the way she has carried on the struggle, Germany has also proved her systematic contempt of every principle of humanity and of all respect for small States ; in proportion as the conflict has developed, the attitude of the Central Powers and of their allies has been a con- tinued challenge to humanity and to civilization. Need we recall the horrors that accompanied the invasion of Belgium and of Serbia, the atrocious rule laid upon the invaded countries, the massacre of hundreds of thousands of inoffensive Armenians, the barbarities committed against the inhabitants of Syria, the Zeppelin raids upon open towns, the destruction by submarines of passenger steamers and merchantmen, even under neutral flags, the cruel treatment inflicted upori prisoners of war, the judicial murders to Miss Cavell and of Captain Fryatt, the deportation and the reduction to slavery of civil populations Y The accomplishment of such a series of crimes, perpetrated without any regard for the universal reprobation they aroused, amply explains to President Wilson the protest of the Allies."
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