GERMANY’S POTENCY.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 303, 29 August 1929, Page 1

GERMANY’S POTENCY.

(By Cosmopolitan) An interesting phase of the aftermath of the Great War is the undoubted success of the German Empire in the commercial exploita‘V tion of aircraft. During the war the Germans were no sluggards at fighting in the air, though they never quite reached the best British standard. However, they gave fine proof of their qualities, which at all times were exercised with great forethought. i The war ended, and Germany was . bound 'down to pay the cost. Soon it was found that the financial proposals put forward were not practical. Eor one thing the burden on Germany could not be made too big, else the goose that laid the golden egg would be killed. Again, payments in

land were not so easy of acceptance as thought, for they caused unemV ployment in the countries receiving them. Further, the pendulum of public opinion slowly swung back during the protracted negotiations and the British sporting instinct of “ not kicking a fellow when he was down ” , more and more entered into our treatment of our late enemy. During all this time German statesmen handled their own affairs in clever style. Utilising every opportunity to reduce the burden placed on their shoulders, creditor nations were also skilfully played one against the other. As time passed the task of German statesmen became easier owing to the large amount of foreign capital—chiefly Alherican and British which was Jl* compulsorily invested in her great industries and other concerns. This capital was the interest and other moneys owing to these countries vhich could not be transferred profitably and which had thus to be invested on the spot. During the time of currency inflation in Germany many local concerns were “ bought for a song ” by this money. Thus the position is that the German race, by no means reduced to anything approaching slavery, as was first intended by the Allies, has powerful friends, chiefly in America but also in Britain, who recognise that Germany must be given plenty of breathing room if their investi ments are to be protected. So we find 5r that the intricacies of international trade have done more than anything else to compulsorily ease the German burden. Nevertheless a sufficient monetary spur has been imposed to severely strain her great resources. I There are, however, two great racial characteristics assisting the Teutons, which characteristics are by no means so prominent in many other countries. These are (1) an inherent desire for work, (2) a natural obedience to discipline. Coupled with these two virtues is their national genius for organisation. Thus we find that with these attributes to assist etfier Germany has recuperated in a manner, and, being under constant pressure and discipline both from within and without, has had to settle down to solid work and devise JL means of competing under unequal conditions, to secure her share of foreign trade. Thrown by force of circumstances on her own resources and ingenuity, she has set her house in order to a greater extent than the great majority of European nations, and her recent challenges on the sea and in the ■ air show that Germany is still a world force which has to be reckoned with.

During the war the Germans were often paid the compliment which is contained in the remark that they could have secured the trade of the world by peaceful means instead of going to war. It may be that the lesson has been learned ; in any case it is well to realise that, far from jfceing downtrodden, Germany is today one of the most potent forces, mot only in world politics but in Nfcworld trade, and that it is only a Bfeuestion of time when she will have nagained that economic standing which was possessed before the Great War. c ■ .