The Dominion. MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1916. MISTAKEN GENEROSITY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2742, 10 April 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1916. MISTAKEN GENEROSITY

-———J — : Mr. G. Hogben had much that was _ interesting and instructive to say in the lecture on "National Education After the War," which he delivered to the Teachers' Institute on Friday evening. His views on educational reform are worthy of the careful attention of.the Minister of Education and his advisers. On this subject no one will dispute Mr. Hogben's right to speak with authority. His criticism is based on first-hand knowledge and wide evperience. Even those who may disagree with' some of his opinions .regarding our school system will give them the consideration duo to the well-weighed suggestions' of an ackpowledged export; but his remarks on the question of 'trade policy after the war will not carry the same weight as liis_ views /on education problems. His : argument against the .proposal to wage a trade war on Germany: is far from convincing, and his ideas on this .matter cannot be permitted to pass' unchallenged. Mr. Hogben says it would be ignoblo to maintain and nurture hate. But the new trade policy of the Empire need not, and should not, be animated by a spirit of hatred or revenge. The question should be approached from the standpoints of self-preservation, self-reliance, and retributive justice. A criminal nation ought, to be treated as a criminal nation, and punished for its crimes. An illustration of Germany's shameless defiance of the law of nations arid violation of the instincts of humanity is provided by a cablegram which appeared in Saturday's issue of The Dominion. Referring to the torpedoing of the Sussex, and the Englishman, the Hamburger Nachricliten brutally asks: "Who'cares about such trifles in Germany'? The ships belonged to and were.used by the enemy, and they have been destroyed—that's all ■we care about." It is the same with the Zeppelin raids. The ."massacre of the innocents" seems to be a matter for ■ congratulation among Germans. , "Who cares" as long as it is British women and children that are slaughtered? "To scatter bombs over a countryside, to destroy indiscriminately. the mansion' and cottage, the, church and the school,' to murder unoffending civilians, women, children, and , sucklings in their bed, these (writes Lord RoseBERY) _are. the noble aspiration's of Prussian _ chivalry, acclaimed by their nation as deeds of merit and dating." It is contrary to the first principles of justice to treat crim T inals as though they were honest men. Germany ought to be compelled to make reparation for, j her Grimes', • even to the uttermost farthing, and she should, as far as possible, be deprived of the' power' to shake once more the foundations of civilisation m her insatiablo craving , for world dominion.

Mr. Hogben asked whether we should boycott Gcrmaiiy, even if reformed. A beaten Germany does rjofc mean a reformed Germany. There is not the slightest indication of any intention on the part of the (V;rmans to put on sackcloth and ashes. We may take it for granted that,' boycott or no boycott, Germany will prepare for another conflict unless she is thoroughly and decisively beaten in the presont struggle. She is already making ready for the coming trade war. In the., very pajjer that contained the report of Me. Hogben's ,lecture, appeared a speech by the German Chancellor, in which he truculontly declared that Germany "will shatter the menace involved by the British threat of a lasting commercial vva;.'' Foe years past the Germans have done their utmost to overthrow cue national prestige and destroy our trade. Jfc is almost inconceivable that when the war is over, the Empire could be as free and as cordial in its trade relations with Germany as with France, and Russia, and. Italy. The President of ttc British Board of Trade )(Mit. RuNoiaus) cannot by any stretch of the intat;;Q;u,i.>n le regarded as a "new jingo"; nor is he a preacher of ,hate. lie fully realises the necessity for caution anil cool judgment, in handling economic problems. Many people ibink that he is altogether too timid in his ieferences to the coming commercial war.. Yet Mit. Runcuian recently declared that if Germany may wish to embark on a new oconomic campaign "it is for us to see to it when making peace that she docs not raise her head." He points out that history cannot go on after the war is over from exactly the same point as when the war broke out. He is of opinion that Britain will be able to make up for the vast losses she has incurred in a shorter period of time than any of the other belligerents, and "he holds that it will bo her duty, as far as she can, to aid Italy, France, and Russia in the same process. He does not wish to see a prolonged period of poverty in Germany, but, he adds, "I put Germany at the bottom of the list; and if our policy is successful I hope she will remain at the bottom of the list." The war has impressed upon us in tho most compelling man.' nev the absolute necessity p£ doing

our utmost to builcl up the industries of the Empire and te develop its vast resources. When the struggle began we found that many indispensable industries were entirely in German hands. Germany still boasts that we cannot do without her. It is our business to disillusion her on this point. Mis. Runcihan lias laid it. down that there should be no essential article either for the arts of peace or for the arts of war upon which we cannot within the Empire lay our hands. It would be the height of folly to allow Germany to recuperate herself at our expense. We'cannot afford to be again dependent upon our enemies, as we were to a large extent before the war, for .such vitally important tilings as glass, dyes, chemicals, and electrical .apparatus, and if our determination to do without Germanmade goods is equivalent to a boycott, then a boycott must be established, even at the risk f 'of inciting Germany to prepare for another conihct."