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Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1929, Page 4

The visit of the German warships to New Zealand waters appears to be causing an unnecessary amount of stir. The mercantile ships have been trading here for some time now without comment or opposition. However, a warship is typical of the great machine which was in operation over the period of the war, and the appearance of the ship is reviving memories. It is over ten years now since the great surrender of the German Navy, and that event might have have been satisfactory as assuaging all feelings in the matter. Peace lias been progressing for so-long, and at last the reparation payments are in a fair way for final adjustment. The- war is thus well over, and it seems essential under the desire to see the League of Nations a reality, that the visit of the some time enemy should he acceptable rather than otherwise. There have been great wars in the past, and the old-time enemies now consort as never before. The Spanish Armada was intended by Spain to gain the supremacy of the seas, hut Drake’s ships were all powerful, and Spain became an extinct naval power. Yet to-day Spanish and British royalty are related. La 4 er. we had the great naval victory of Trafalgar, hut Britain and France are more friendly than ever and entente cordiale is something in beine. Tlien there was Waterloo where Bluoher’s German forces came as timely help to the British when smashing the Napoleonic power. England and Germany were allies on that occasion in opposing the aggrandisement of France, and any

bad feeling or memories of those strenuous days of war, have long passed iuviiv. If we are to have a real peace now, a visit such as die present, might do something to pave the way to that end, hut the spirit of antagonism which lias been raised can hardly be lielplul. The bitter memories of the war might well lie forgotten, as indeed they must, if we are to ha.e real progress toward univeral peace. At the various European Conferences the international representatives to do any real business, have had to submerge their feeling with regard to the war, and think only of the present and the way to mend conditions. The war period did ,o mu h to destroy feelings and affinities .hat in tiiis period of peaceful repair, consideration should be shown for all, and where a iegitimn.c effort is being macleto renew a right spirit of international intercourse, it is in the best interests of all that such overtures should be encouraged, rather than discouraged. On that account the visit of the Eniden might he regarded as a stepping-stone towards a real and lasting period of peace.