"TOO MUCH GERMANY."

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2334, 16 December 1914, Page 9

"TOO MUCH GERMANY."

A BRITISHER'S EXPERIENCE MR GEORGE EDWARDES IN GERMANY Mr. George • Edwardee, the London theatrical manager, arrived at Bad Nau'heira, the German health resort, on May o, Buffering from heart trouble. Ho was permitted to leave on October 17, after urgent requests by the American Consul, who pointed out that if Mr. Jid«'ardc6 were detained much longer he would be buried in 13ad lyauheim. When I saw the "Guv'nor" at the Hague (said the "Daily Mail" correspondent) he was obviously very much shaken, though he addedi witb a smile, "I am- not so bad as when 1 left Germany.,.' i "I've 'had an awful time," he said feelingly. ".No sooner did war break out than all the English visitors were' insulted, jeered at, and abused, not only by residents but even by the waiters in the hotel, who refused to speak a word of .English. "Most of the English visitors were elderly people staying for the benefit of their health, and about fifty are still there unable to get money sent to them and enduring petty spite and irritating restrictions which come naturally to the Germans." ._ ' "And how do you feel now that it is all-over p" I asked. Mr. Edwardee smiled grimly. "I feel like' that Lancashire working man," he said, "who delivered the most, biting dramatic criticism ever heard. You know the story? When the play was over he turned to his wife and exclaimed, "Well, tha' would cornel , " Bitterest Hatred of England. Although compelled to be indoors at nine o'clock every night and not permitted to go more than a mile from the town, Mr. Bdwardcs said he himself was not brutally treated, but it was very galling to put up with official gibes and insults. "And all tho time at all hours they were shouting !>nd ringing their jangling bells to celebrate victories until their own wounded protested at the noise. Oh, yes, they Jiad fully made up their minds they were going to win, and all they could talk about was an invasion of England. You have no idea how they hate England. They profess to pity France, for Russia they have contempt minglisa with fear, but for England they keep their bitterest "hatred. ' "Germans are by instinct and training the world's bullies. But there was one young .Englishman they couldn't bully. lie was a.smart young chap, What you might call a : nut,' and nothing seemed to upset him. When, like the -rest of us, he was marched ii.to the police-office, shouted at, and teld he must report himeelf, he just smiled and remarked: 'Quite seasonable Weather we're having, doii't you tbir.k, commissioner?"

"The commissioner frowned at him, but made no reply, but the young fellqfw lounged gracefully against the wall and talked for ten minutes until he had the commissioner furious but impotent. "Two hours after he had been dismissed our young ' Englishman again presented himself at .the police station still smiling. 'What do you, want?' growled -the, commissioner. 'Oh, nothing,' was the cool reply. 'I thought as I was passing I might just as well report myself. And I forgot to say before that last year's weather could not compare with this. Talking about weather.' . " 'Get out,' yelled the commissioner, 'and don't let me see your dirty face again!' ■ "And he never did," said Mr. Ed\vardes laughing. "That young man never reported himself again, though, as he said, there was a good deal more about tne weather ho would like to navo discussed with the commissioner. "Soldiers have had Enough." "But most of the jokes were with the German. We had no idea- how the war was going, and the German etorios made very humpy reading. I've, had enough of Germany to last me.the reet of my life. In my opinion, however, the Germans have been ■ badly deceived by their rulers, and I would not be surprised to see a revolution when they learn the truth. They are patriotic enough now, men, women, and children, but' from what I could near from the wounded many of the soldiers have had enough, and when the German people have had enough it will be God help the Kaiser." . ' . "Was it solely on account of your health that they let you go? ,, I inquired. ' ' .• ' . ".Only partly that," he replied, "An i American journalist reported my case ■to a Chicago paper, and as the Germans are extremely anxiouq to keep well in with the Ame;"'cans they decided to let me go. When I came away the officials wished me to come through Switzerland, and when the dootor said the long journey might mean my death the only official comment was: 'A railway train is as good as any place to die iu.' As it was they sent me to Holland by the longest possible route so as to avoid a glimpse of the Rhino, which for some very good reason they are guarding from'inquisitive eyes." "And you will be glad to get back home?" "Glad!" was the earnest reply. ''You want to have several months in Germany to appreciate the advantages, of England. Glad I I hope to be in London on Friday, and it will be a happy moment,when I tread London streets again/ I'm suffering from too much Germany." ■■■.'••