GERMAN INVASION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1867, 29 September 1913, Page 8

GERMAN INVASION.

THE FATHERLAND OOMES TO TOWN. Every day how—and bo it will be until well into September—London, is delivering herßelf more and more into the hands of the invading foreigner. And every year, according to information supplied to a "Daily News" representative recently by an official of Messrs. Cook's, the invasion becomes more mtirked.

"Tlicro is, if anything, said thio gentleman, "a falling off in tho horde» of Americans who used to swamp ub 60 completely at this time of the year. And for this, it is generally thought, tho Titanio disaster has been responsible. Taken altogether, the American tourist is a far more 'nervy' individual than the Englishman, in spite of what lie may aver to the contrary, and tho Titanic shock will spread its effect over a good many more seasons than one. Tho most intrepid traveller can no longer believe that the Atlantic as a highway between two great countries is as safe as, and much less 'perplexing than tho Great North Koad from London to (say) York. But if our Transatlantic visitors ■ are less numerous than usual, the lack of them is moro than mado up for by Contin 7 antal tourists.

"England—and moro particularly and individually, London—has been discovered by Germany this year to an almost alarming extent..,

"The German invasion has been complete and all-conquering. Thoso whom the scaremongers are so fond of describing as tho bitter enemies, tho sworn foos, in the gamble of modern conquest —Hans and John—aro fraternising in tho most pacific spirit imaginable)."

Of course, , our leading firebrands are away on tho moors just now, keeping their hand in with the grouse. It is really a pity that some of them couldn't stay at homo for a little, and take an occasional btia ride, or a lunch (say) at tho Vienna. Cafe, just for tho purpose of observing bow pleasantly and how perfectly tho Englishman and tho German (to say nothing of their womenfolk) do fraternise in London during tho August lull.

"This is the sort of entente which is much more lasting and effective than anything else," added tho tourist oxpert. "It is an object lesson in peaco of the most far-reaching kind I" A quick tour of'some of tho most popular of London's sights proved this to tho hilt. There was certainly a German note in the air which could not only bp heard, but felt. Tho Fatherland had como in shoals to tho hospitable i banks of Father Thames—not tho accepted German of tho low comedy stage, bald-headed, hugely spectacled, smoking a pipe with a china bowl, and suggesting at every turn sausage' and schnapps; but the German of a younger generation, alert, smart, and vory much alive-to tho charm, the fascination of London. And polite to a turn! . Whole families of them were abroad yesterday afternoon swarming on the mctor-buses and reading, as they rode, strange romanceful things about London in hug« tomes of mediaeval lettering wherein one occasionally had a glimpse of such English words as Crystal Palace. The Tower;' and Boadicoa. As a rule, when discussing tho whereabouts of Charing Cross with a Ludgate Circus policeman, or asking a Cricklewood bus conductor to put thorn down at the 'J'ato Gallery, t'noy spoke excellent English; and there is not the slightest doubt that they knew how to elijoy themselves.

It was curious to observe that Trafalgar Square (for instance) is no longer famous to tho eye of tho Continental visitor as. tho "homo" of Nelson and Ihe famous lions, but as the one spot in our great city where, presumably, all tile Suffragette rioting and smashing has been dono since tho advent; of tho "militant." Invariably it was so. As soon as tbo staid old lions liove in 6ight tlie samo words burst out from tbo lips of tho ardent voyageurs: 1 'Alf 1 • Suff ragottcs 1" And the fact that no Suffragette rioting happened to he going on at tho moment was generally received with a shrug of disappointment. Wlioro were tho women—tho wild women—waving (lags and flinging bombs, -and helmetting policemen? And where were thoso famous mounted men in- bluo witli their wonderful horses and their still more wonderful organisation for mob-dispers-ing? Was all this, like the story of the streets'paved with gold, a myth? Alas, London was too languidly peaceful for anything in the beaming eyo of tho sun. Tho very lions 6comea to yawn. But there was still plenty to see, and invading Germany, undaunted by the presont dulness of Trafalgar Square, booked on to the Bank, rocoivcd another shock of Georgian disappointment thcro, and filially boarded another bus, and made up for all otlior shortcomings by sharing a most ontovtaiiiing and elovating tea and talk with the Beefeaters at the Tower. Here, indeed, dwelt History that oven the Fatherland could not hopo to approach, and here a castlo to make the Rhino, for all its splendid monuments, foam with envy.

And so, at the Tower, Gohnany and Franco and Italy—and a great aeal of Belgium—mot together in amity as happy guests of tho Yeomen of tho Guard. If only there was an open-air cafe in the shadow of .tho ramparts, and hock and cafo cream, and patisserie to help pass away the warm and languid afternoon, what a glorious placo the Towor would bo in August, to be sura!