THE WORLD'S DEBT TO GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2576, 25 September 1915, Page 8

THE WORLD'S DEBT TO GERMANY

■ —■* — (To the Editor.) Sir,—l was much interested in Professor von Zedlitz's remark (which I read in his letter in. the "Canterbury. Times") saying "that Germany , had rendered gre;it services to human progress in the past." ' I should be much obliged to the learned Professor'if he would state, what services. Looking' at World History it 6eems to me that tho world does not owe,'a great debt to. Germany. . .■ ' . The world's gratitude -is due to the pioneers of scieneo and civilisation, to those who make useful discoveries, and also to those who bring in humano and progressive laws," and, lastly, to the nations uho teach refinement and courtesy in daily lifo. Will Professor von Zedlitz lrindly.tell me if it was a German who invented tho' steam engine, or , the telephone, or the electric telegraph, or, who applied machinery, to making textile fabpes?; .Was it a German who discovered the circulation of the blood;.or anaesthotics, or antiseptic surgery, or vaccination,' or innoculation? Were Galileo, or Copo'micus, or Lavoisier, or.Darwin, or Lord IColrin, or Thomas Edison/ Germans? 'Was tho woman who taught her sex to nurse the sick and wouncled, a. German? Has Germany given the world a poet equal to-Homer'or Shakespeare, or sculptors equal to those of Greece? Or to tho Danish Thorwalsen, and tho French Rodin?

Religion is supposed to owe a debt to Luther, and if roiigion consists in mere faith, it certainly does ow-o him a great debt.. No doubt the Kaiser ; and .the German'soldiers have a. very pure faith, so piire that it has: turned them_ into robbers, murderers, and sex criminals. Well done, . Luther! • Tho world, beginning with Belgium, owes you a debt o{ gratitude!, Of course, one must admit t-hat German music holds a high place, although Van Beethoven belonged to. the' noble Belgian race (his parents came from near Lonvain), and Mendelssohn .was a Jew. However, tho world certainly owes a great debt to German music, a debt that, wen the.'men who were tortured and the .women wlio were raped by- Germany's musical soldiery will_ recognise. Doubtless the British prisoners whom Germany ill-treats and, starves witt - find her 'music comforting! / ;Ali! Music -is very esential, it is greatei-jAf-.than'goodness, or truth; or purity. Thank von, Germany! . - Then'tho world owes Germany a debt for wiso and humane .laws ; it was-she who first abolished slavery and- brought in universal suffrage, and the higher; education of women! . Lastly,' wo owe Germany, a debt for ■ teaching us to dress with taste, and - to' cook oippetisingly. ■ She also taught us to; ho chivalrous to, the ( weak courteous to all men! ■

: I admit that- Germany first brought iii compulsory education; for that tlie world 'owes .hor ,; a debt. Franco and Belgium liaro beo:i as; much- .struck by the refinement which compulsory education lias given io the German private, as edified by the courtesy and bravery which a more - advanced education 'lias given to tho German Crown Prince and other officers. Thank you, Germany! Tho world will always owe you a debt for tho culturo and refinement and bravery shown by. your highly-educated army! At the present day the world, owes Germany « debt for .the noble teachings of 'Bemhardi and Treitscho, for tho ftuns of Krupp, and the Zeppolins. Some of her professors are not cpiito of the same type, notably Professor Ehrlich,.- but then ho is not a German, but a Jew ! Even New Zealand owes a debt to Germany. Doubtless it was that clever country who taught her to freeze meat for exportation! No wonder Professor von Zedlitz is proud 'of his country ! I wish- my Motherland wei;o • half as clever and noble! —I am, etc., • CLIO.