FRENCH CLUB

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3180, 3 September 1917, Page 2

FRENCH CLUB

The French Club hold its last meeting ' under the presidency of Miss van Staveren. .Mrs. .'Johnston began, the proceedings by roading an interesting poem by' Victor Jlugo. Miss.Koso van fitaver--011 sang "Qui Sail?" which was heartily applauded. Mr. Cooke read a paper on "Frederick tho Great, King of Prussia.' Ho briefly traced tho growth of Prussia from tho small principality of Ilolienzollorn to a fair-sized ■ kingdom under tho action of Frederick's predecessors. Ho noxt related some anecdotes of that Monarch's father, and also of that father's harsh treatment of his son. Mr. Cooko also showod how Frederick, succeeding to the' throne, and in posse£6i.on of a well-drilled army and considerable trcasnro, took advantage of Austria s difficulties to seize Silesia. Ho drew parallels between tho Prussia of- that time and the Germany of to-day, of how Frederick, when, lie thought ho was prepared 'for War, : was; restrained by no treaties, and no considerations of what was honourable; in fact, that the regarding of a treaty as "a ecrap of paper" was nothing now in tho history of Germany. Ho showed that then, as in later times, much of the success of Prussia v;as_ due to her preparedness for war,' her thoroii"h organisation, and to hor. fitnking sudden' blows when'6ho considered-that circumstances w;ero favourable. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Cooke tor his paper, and proceedings ended with the singing of "La Marseillaise.