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the stocks and supplies on hand in Germany were more than sufficient to meet every requirement, 
 
and I might be interested to know that the Germans were now even manufacturing butter and 
 
other fats in very great quantities from coal.  While the Marshal believed that the war would be 
 
short, and that a German victory would soon be attained, nevertheless, if the war were prolonged 
 
five or ten years, Germany would strengthen and consolidate her position with every month
 
that passed.
 
          I stated that it seemed to me that no matter who would win such a war, the devastation 
 
and loss of life, and the destruction of economic resources, would inevitably be so vast as to result 
 
in the early destruction of much of what modern civilization had built up. I said that in that regard 
 
the American people were directly concerned. I said that we in the United States now realized 
 
that the repercussions from such a war would affect us profoundly in many ways, and particularly 
 
because of our realization that in a world where war reigned supreme, where the rule of force 
 
replaced the rule of reason, security for all peoples, no matter how remote they might be from the 
 
scene of hostilities, was inevitably undermined. If a war of devastation broke out, the vital 
 
interests of all neutral peoples, no matter how much they were determined to keep out of the war, 
 
would correspondingly be affected.
 
          The Field Marshal here interrupted to say that he did not see how the American people 
 
could feel that their vital interests were affected through war in Europe. He said, "It is needless 
 
for me to say to you that Germany has no ambitions of any kind other than those I have indicated 
 
to you, and least of all any ambitions which could affect the Western Hemisphere."
 
     I