THE MODERN HUNS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1325, 17 November 1914, Page 4

THE MODERN HUNS.

In referring to Japanese operations at Kiauchau, the London Times recalls the remarkable incidents of Germany’s “civilising” mission in China. It was when the German Emperor was delivering one ot his parting harangues to Count von Waldersee’s expeditionary force that he first expounded in crude terms the doctrines which his soldiers have been exemplifying from Louvain to Rheims. It was then that the new Attila held up the old as an example to his troops. “When you meet the foe you will defeat him.” runs one of the contemporary versions of his speech at Bremerhaven on July 27th, 1900. “No quarter will be given, no prisoners will be taken. Let all who fall into your hands be at your mercy. Just as the Huns a thousand years ago, under ttie leadership of Attka, gained a reputation in virtue ot which they still live-in historical traditious, so may the name of Germany become known in such a manner in China, that no Chinaman will ever again ever dare to look askance at a German.” “Count von Waldersee proved worthy ot his trust,” says the Times. “He was the man who, in August, 1870, wished to ‘see Babel (Paris) utterly destroyed.’ The Japanese witnessed his deeds, and have not forgotten. A German newspaper observed at the time that German soldiers, unlike those of England and of Russia, were subject to the danger of exhibiting a ‘false humanity,’ and derived great consolation from tne Emperor’s exhortation. The destroyers of the Roman Catholic University of Louvain and of the glorious cathedral of Rheims based some ot their main pretensions in China upon the murder ot two German missionaries. They actually insisted that the Chinese should build a cathedral and set up a memorial arch to a German minister they had killed in Pekin. Puerilities of that kind did not impress Japan any more than did the rest of the ‘Waldersee theatricals.’ She has all along recognised in German ambitions and German arrogance a disturbing element in the Par East which must be eliminated if peace is to be secured.”