COMMENT ON THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2373, 1 February 1915, Page 8

COMMENT ON THE WAR

GERMAN OPINION

AN INTERESTING LETTER

11l connection with tbe case concluded in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, in which Henrick "Wilhelui Magnus Duerkop. was indicted on five charges of trading with persons resident in an enemy country, a letter was read by counsel lor the defence (Mr. T. Neave) in which, accused made interesting conimeai, to a friend resident in New Zealand, on the present war. The passage referring to tho war runs as follows: —

As far as the war itself is concerned, I am perfectly at a loss to understand the motives and the reasons which induced Germany to fight almost the whole >of Europe. Certain it is to me, that the' great majority of our people, but especially our. commercial men did hot desire it, and it is understood that groat anti-war demonstrations took place before it started, especially in Hamburg, which is my native town. The authorities in charge, however, prevented any of the resolutions being carried into effect by simply proclaiming a state of martial law, according to which any public assemblies of more than two persons are forbidden by death penalty. ' There aro only two alternatives which may be stated aslikely reasons: either it was an act of self-defence prompted by almost desperation in the face of an imminent and unavoidable combined attack by Eussia and France, that could be _ forestalled only by prompted aggression on our part, before the two were ready or and that is the opinion that prevails here. Tho influential military party, headed often by our Emperor, was thristing for this mad and impetuously disastrous action. The ordinary German is a peaceful individual. 3ly brother, who is serving his time together with a cousin in a small garrison to the north of Hamburg, often mentioned to me how little he would care to put to practical use the modern methods and weapons for wholesale destruction, with which be has been permanently drilled now for the last eighteen months. From yesterday's cable messages I understand that the first line of German attack is formed by eight Aimy Corps of which three are centred near Liege. Amongst-those mentioned is tlie ninth corps in which my brother's regiment is included, likewise the garrisons of Humburg .and surroundind districts. The detailed newspaper descriptions of our losses in Belgium are sufficient to give one a nightmare and I believe many of our chaps that are driven . against tliose fortresses have asked themselves: "Why and what for?"

On the other hand, having lived for some j'ears now with , British people, and having come to fully appreciate their many excellent characteristics, I should feel just as sorry to hear of any losses on your side.- In the Expeditionary Force that is about to leave from here, there is a majority with wiiom Germans would undoubtedly ho on the best of terms, if they could meet each other as unarmed human beings without that mutual prejudice and deplorable ignorance of each others' qualities. Our system of government and diplomacy may be to blame for this disaster.'ln any case, the ultimate consequence will be against all those that are to blame for it. If it is due to impetuous aoting of our "Prussians" or to a fit of "Napoleonism" in the Emperor, their armies by now must be certain of their reasons for fighting, and if they have found that their cause is not a just one, the odds are bound to be against themselves, no matter what else happens. Should this war be a disaster for Germany, and I cannot see just now how this is avoidable, then our own people will-likewise overthrow the present form of Government and in such case I do .'not hold out much hopes for our HohenMllern-Dyn-asty. We are likely to witness some of the most momentous events of history within the nest few months, and for Germany this crisis sets in in the midst of beginning commercial and industrial prosperity like ! thunderbolts from the blue sky. One starts feeling almost dizzy over the many speculative theories and conclusions regarding the possible developments, and the ultimate outcome and consequences of this conflict. Moreover, being not naturalised,* the police "keep an eye upon me," and have requested me not to leave beyond a 20-mile radius of Auckland, although I think one could get over this by offering the guarantee of respectable ..and known Auckland citizens. Lawyers inform us that legally I have m status during the war and am vested with what they call "an enemy character" that make any transactions for the time being in my name nulland void, etc. The bank also trios to make out that I must not sign cheques, etc. Otherwise, however, I must here mention that I have reasons to be much gratified over the considerate attitude and genuine friendship shown in frequent instances. I can only sincerely wish that Britishers in Germany at the present moment may be equally as well treated; then they would.have nothing to complain about. I now wish nothing more than an early termination of that unnatural and monstrous war."