GERMAN WORLD POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1022, 11 January 1911, Page 5

GERMAN WORLD POLITICS.

ROAD CLEAR FOR ACTION. ENGLAND OCCUPIED AND RUSSIA FRIENDLY. AWAY WITH THE OPEN DOOR. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Berlin, January 9. The "Berlin Post," one of the most influential Conservative journals: in ■ Germany, states: "England is occupied with domestic problems, and the Tsar is peaceful, tho track is clear for an active German policy of expansion. Away 'ivitli the deceptive myth of . the open door." ATTITUDE fiF FRANCE. BALANCE OF POWER TO BE PRESERVED. (Rec. January 10, U.iO p.m.). London, January 10. "Tha Times's" Paris correspondent says the main interests of Franco with regard to the Jliddlo Eastern question aro that Russia shall not becomo involved in a conflict weakening her'influence in Europe; afso that the Persian entente with Britain shall be maintained and strengthened. Tho correspondent adds that in certain sections the proposed Russo-Gcrmau agreement can be interpreted by Ger.mans as acknowledgment of an exclusive sphero of German interest throughout Asia Minor. THE BAGDAD RAILWAY. NOT TO BE BLOCKED BY BRITAIN. (Rec. January 10, 11.40 p.m.) Berlin, January 10. Tho "Vossicho Zeitung" declares that Great Britain is as yet unable to block the progress of the, Bagdad railway. Now that an agreement has been reached between Russia and Germany shd is still less abio to do so. , If Britain insists oil the terminus of tho lino being , a port-Germany will know how to get what she wants over Britain's head.

"THE MAIN OBSTACLE' TO THE WORM'S, PEACE."

In an interesting'article on "Germany— Tho Main Obstacle to the AA'orld's Peaoe" Dr. A. S. Horshcy wrote in the New York ! "Independent":— "Actions spealc louder than words," but if verbal evidence be needed to show that the 'German Peril' is no. mero figment of a disordered imagination, it may bo found in the 'Kaiser's Speeches' as translated by Mr; AA'olf.vOn Schierbrand, 'and a volume entitled 'German Ambitions.' "Von Scliierbrand shows, that up to 1895, tho date of the opening of tho Baltic Canal, tho : Emperor's' speeches were pacific in tone, and that' his activities were directed toward the -maintenance of peace. . .'. On January 3,189G„ came, the famous Ivruger telegram on. the occasion of tho Jameson raid, which was followed, as might have been expected, by a perfect storm of abuse and criticism in tho English press, After that untoward event, tho Emperor's tono changed completely. "Tn June, 1897, he said in a speech at Cologno: 'Wo have great duties in the world,. Thero are Germans, everywhere whom we .must protect. German prestige, must be preserved abroad. The trident belongs in our hands.'

"In 1900, upon delegating to P.rinco Henry the.command of the Oriental-fleet: 'Imperial power is sea power.'' The n two\ are .mutually dependent . . Should'"any' ono infringe our rights, then use the njailed fist and earn your laurel wreath.' "Again, on the occasion of the baptism of tho 'AA'ittelsbach,' on July 4, 1900: ?Tho sea and sea power are indispensable for Germany's greatness. But it is tho sea, too, which proves that neither njjon the water nor upon the land, in far away Countries, decisions, must be reached or events happen without the consent of Germany and'the German. Emperor.' "At the-Hague Conference pf 1899 Germany led tho opposition ,to Russia's- proposals for limited obligatory, arbitration and a limitation! of military-and naval expenditure; and it was ■ only, with the greatest difficulty that thei'Gcrman Government was persuaded to consent to' the establishment of tho so-called permanent Court of Arbitration. At the Conference of 1907, Germany favoured obligatory arbitration! 'in principle,' but her attitude was reactionary in almost every other rospect.

"How is tho reactionary attitude and aggressive conduct of Germany during recent years to be explained? It appears to be due in part to the temper of the German Emperor, the. autocratic methods of tho German Government, the military and naval discipline of the German youth, and ,lho teachings.of German historians, and philosopher;. But these are, in turn, tho results of historic traditions and economic forces.;

"It should not be forgotten that the birth-pangs of the modern German Empire were accomplished at Sadowa and Sedan. Then did Germania issue forth a full-grown, united warrior-nation born in the midst of smoke and battle —product of Bismarck's policy of 'blood and iron.' Sho has been nurtured in the midst of an armed camp of smokeless powder, rapid-firing guns, and patriotic speeches by her 'War .Lord.'

Wedged in for a generation between France and Russia, who both had reason io fear'and hate her. this nation of warriors has compelled others as well as herself to bear military burdens beyond a. parallel in history. Feeling tho needs of expansion, felt by every growing and prosperous nation, she has found - herself checked and thwarted in her commercial and colonial aims by England, the mistress of the seas. . Relieved for. a season bv the paralysis of Russia from the pressure upon her Eastern-frontier, Germany has Ijecomo a monaco to Europe, ■ from which partial relief has been secured by British, diplomacy through a network of alliances between Greit Britain, France, Russia, and Japan. ..Except for her alliance with Austria-Hungary, Germany now feels practically isolated in Europe,■■ but is determined to break the iron ring with which she imagines herself encompassed." :