GERMANY'S MAILED FIST.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1092, 3 April 1911, Page 5

GERMANY'S MAILED FIST.

THE CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH. BRITAIN MUST EITHER ARM OR GO UNDER. DISARMAMENT A DREAM. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyricht (Rec. April 2, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 1. "The Times," in its comment on the speech of the German- Chancellor, Herr von Bethmann Holhveg, on disarmament, says the speech, which was not unfriendly to England, was remarkable equally for its common sense and clear-cut reasoning. It must dissipate illusions concerning the practicability of a limitation of armaments. ' Other newspapers declare that as the overtures for peaceful and happier relations with Germany have been rebutted, there is no choice but to arm or go tinder. . * VARYING GERMAN VIEWS. SOCIALIST ORGAN INDIGNANT. (Rec. April 2, 5.'5 p.m.) Berlin, April 1. The Socialist newspaper "Vorwaerts" says Herr von has clenched the mailed first, and declared war on disarmament in brazen defiance of the German people. The "Neueste Nachrichten" says: "As long as Germany keeps powerful she will always be able, when our good cousins are caught 'short' on the world exchange, to snatch for herself the rewards in prospect." SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST. PEACE TREATY BOWED OUT. (Rec. April 2, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, April 1. The "Journal des Debats" declares that Herr von Bethmann Hollweg politely bows 'Mr. Taft and Sir Edward Grey out cf dourt with their peace treaty. The "Debats" quotes Herr Hollweg's remark that the weak must always be the prey of the strong, and.adds: "No sentimentality, no combination of dreamers can ever surmount that eternal verity." "DISPELLED LIKE MIST." THE DREAMS OF PEACE. Paris, March 31. The newspaper "Figaro" says that Germany regards the idea of universal peace as a dream. She does not wish to renounce war, but intends to play' the world-role of a powerful nation. The "Echo de Paris" says that Herr Hollweg's remarkable - speech surely dispelled like mist the dreams of certain Englishmen and Frenchmen. THE MENACE OF TO-DAY. In reviewing Admiral Mahan's new book on the international' situation, the New York "Independent" said recently:— "Admiral Mahan has that insight which fixes upon the strategic situation in public affairs as in a campaign. In his new book on 'The Interest, of America in International Conditions' he unhesitatingly names German power and policy, as the present menace of the world's pea'ceV It has been no sentimental consideration that has prevented European war since 1878. In the most literal -senso of-the. words, peace has. been kept by the 'bal.ance.of power.' So delicate has this bal,ance been, so inexorably certain has been coalition against any: one nation that should venture upon.offensive operations, that no Power had seriously thought of such an adventure until the present Emperor of Germany came to the throne. Of this man no publicist who values -his reputation would affirm that ■ any purpose has filled the horizon of a monstrous egotism save that of making Germany the arbiter of life and death the civilised and uncivilised nations ot tho world. Indeed, one would have to ignore the Kaiser's own tiresome iteration of'his divine mission to entertain a different opinion. "Admiral Jlahan is too seasoned a product of official training to state the case in quite sr.ch phra-eology, but his meaning is not l'or that reason less clear. Ger.niany's navy is rapidly becoming more powerful than any other except England's; the German army is unequalled. Every other interest of civilisation is being, subprdinated in Germany to economic, production and preparation for war. Even tho universities are little by little being made to feel the iron hand inside the velvet glove, known as the Ministry of Instruction. The spirit of free inquiry, which before the Franco-Prussian war made Germany great among the scientific nations of tho world, is straining at the least. The Germany of today has only a half contemptuous toleration for Fichte's proposition that Germany's true role among the peoples is that of intellectual leadership. "Another factor full of the promise of peace we find in Germany itself.. The berman people are not all imperialistic, and the elements openly hostile to the Kaiser and his policy 'are hourly gaining strength. The great central force of the opposition is the Socialist party, which is uncompromisingly antagonistic to militarism under every form r.nd plea. And Socialism in Germany is to-day so vigorous, so practical and so aggressivo that there is every reason to expect that within a few years it will control the Reichstag. No better evidence of its increasing power, and of the self-restraint that comes .with responsibility, than was afforded by the refusal of the International Socialist Congress at Copenhigen to adopt the resolution offered by Keir Hardie, calling for a general strike in trades tributary to war in any nation entering upon hostilities. Conservative writers like Admiral Jlahan have not yet waked up to tho tremendous significance of the international Socialist movement as a power enlisted for the maintenance of the world's peace."