THE UNLUCKY YEAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1066, 20 February 1913, Page 2

THE UNLUCKY YEAR.

The alarming predictions of Mr Federick Harrison, which were mentioned in a cablegram a lew week ago, seem to have had some

connection with the superstition relating to the number thirteen. The noted historian demanded the raising of an immediate war loan of for the purpose of preparing the Empire.for a life-and-death struggle, and suggested that at the same time Britain should concentrate her forces by abandoning Egypt, Malta, Gibraltar, and the African territories. The year 1813, Mr Harrison reminded the readers of the English Review, saw “the downfall of Napoleon’s Imperial ambition, just as 1713, by the Peace of Utrecht, marked the collapse of the ascendancy of Louis Quatorze.” A new century plus the o,minus thirteen seemed to him “to have something in it of fate,” especially when it was associated with a war which had closed to Germany the path to Asia Minor. “Nothing outside Europe is now open to Germany,” added this alarmist. “It is therefore inevitable thac the mighty German Empire, swollen perhaps by the German part of Austria, will seek ‘compensation’ for its exclusion from places ‘in the sun’ —within Europe itself. It has won ‘compensations’ and accessions thrice before —in 1564, in 1866, in 1870; and lour or five times since by demanding fresh ‘compensation,’ it has brought Europe to the brink of war, We have to see what are the compensations it demands in 1913.” Mr Harrison did not explain if the immediate expenditure of - 000,000 on battleships and regiments would avert the calamit'es which he feared. The adoption of his proposal certainly would ensure the British taxpayers regarding 1913 as a very unlucky year.