The German Scandals.

New York Times 100 years ago today, April 21, 1913:
    It must be a matter of bitter humiliation to the German people to have accusations brought against their War and Navy Departments which cannot be instantly and flatly denied, and which receive even the partial confirmation afforded by the statement of the Krupp concern. The actual standard of honor in all branches of the German administration has unquestionably been high, and in that dealing with the national defense it has been very high. It has been maintained largely by the fact that official position in Germany, and especially in Prussia, has always conferred a much desired and valued social prestige. This has been relied on to offset relatively modest compensation and rigid self-denial by officials of all indulgence in outside gainful pursuits. The principle, moreover, of "noblesse oblige " has been very definitely recognized and universally respected, so that plain living and high behavior have been the general practice.
    Unfortunately there have been forces at work, to some degree beyond the power of the Government to control, tending to undermine this system. The cost of living has advanced, largely in consequence of the heavily increased burden of taxation, and Government salaries have not kept pace with it. The remarkable progress of the German Nation in industry, commerce, and finance has, on the one hand, reinforced the tendency to expensive living, and, on the other, has opened tempting careers to men of ability who formerly sought the public service. And probably the most insidious influence affecting that service has been the enormous expenditure for the equipment of the army and navy and the eager and sometimes greedy competition for the profits involved in such expenditure. When great sums are spent by officials having no personal and direct interest in getting full value in return, and when wealthy and sometimes unscrupulous men are seeking to guide the course of such officials, the possibilities of the ugly thing we call "graft" are great and are bound to increase. Economical and strictly honest administration becomes progressively difficult as expenditure increases quite out of proportion to that increase. It is not probable that the German Nation, sturdy as is its character, can wholly escape the demoralization that inheres in expansion.