How Germany Fooled Us While We Waited.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 144, 11 February 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

How Germany Fooled Us While We Waited.

HORATIO BOTTOMLEY TELLS OF UNBROKEN CHAIN OF CONSPIRACY AND OUR BLINDNESS. mm'S WRITING PLASH ON WAIL AS POLITICS SLUMBERED. Tliero is. perhaps, no more picturesque figure in British public and journalistic life to-day than Horatio Bottomley, editor of "John Hull," and Independent member of Parliament. .Mr. Bottomley always has something to say or write; and he always says it, or writes it, in a simple, forceful style fhat is as popular as it is convincing. He is the idol of a large section of massed opinion, referred to, for want of better nomenclature, as the opinion of the "man in the street." He made a great speech at Walsall at the end of last year. Walsall is in the heart of a munition-manufacturing district, and what he had t© say carried a particular interest for hearers dii-ectly in contact with what we may call the executive arm of war. Hewarned his hearers again ami again not to trust the Parliamentarians. He delicately ridiculed the lengths to which the British Censorship bad been pushed, and suggested that it would have been better for the nation at large to have been told the leal truth about things. Yet through his whole speech, inerlarded as it was with clever arraignment of our so-called leaders for their criminal neglect in refusing to prepare against Germany's obvious ambitions, there ran a note of high optimism. Frequently his oratory rose to a lofty height, and rang as a call to arms. The following report of Mr. Bfettomley's address is taken from the local Press:

After warning h:s hearer., not to trust the politicians who had let them drift into this war without warning, Mr. Bottomley went on to deal with the indications of Germany s intentions since the Kaiser came to the throne in ISBB, and the way in which we had been' fooled, mentioning that for ten years he, with a few others, had been hammering away, trying to warn the country of what was coming. "Since the Kaiser's accession," he said, ''there has been one unbroken chain of deep conspiracy to deceive the whole world regarding Germany's intentions. There has been on his (the Kaiser's) part a wild, uncontrollable ambition to obtain world dominatio"." We, by our short-sighted politics, began to lay the foundation of this trouble in 1890. when we swapped the island of Heligoland, which protected and commanded the Kiel Canal and Kiel Harbour, for Zanzibar, and we were to!d by the Prime Minister of that time that this was an act without any naval or military significance. It was purely a domestic arrangement between Germany and ourselves. hen the young Kaiser went to Heligoland to take possession of it lie said, "This island has been chosen by me as a central point for my ships of war, a place of harbour in the German Ocean against all enemies who may ever dare to show themselves upon it." Passing to 1889 and the Jameson Paid, Mr. Bottomley referred to the Kaiser's message to Kruger, congratulating him on repelling the invasion "without the aid of any friendly Power." That meant, if it meant anything, "In any future trouble with the Brit sh Empire, Germany is your friend. In the following year the Kaiser made a speech in which he said that the trident—or control —of the seas "must be in our fist." Tn other words, Germany, and not Britain, must rule the wave?. THE GERMAN NAVY. All this time lie was endeavour.ng to stimulate the public opinion of h:s country to back him up in his desire for a great navy. So much so that in 1899, when we were at war in South Africa, the Kaiser made the historic speech in which he said. "If my Parliament had only fetened to me and had given me the navy for which I have been asking, how different might have been our position and power today. and what an opportunity we should have had of extending our dominions over the seas.'" As a result of the constant appeals he in the following year at last got his Parliament to give'him a start by voting 250 millions pf money for the purpose of laying the foundations of a great German navy. He had there an extract from the preamble to the German Navy Bill of that year, and it was one of the things at which lie used to marvel that with such a warning, such indicat ons of German policy, our politicians, of all shades of opinion, took no notice and remained apparently indifferent. In that Bill it was stated—" Germany must have a fleet of such strength that even for the grentcst naval Power in the world'" —they knew who that was — "war with her would involve such risks as to jeopardise its own supremacy.'' That is to say, that if Britain attempted to go to war with Germany, her naval supremacy would be jeopardised. "THE ADMIRAL AND THE ATLANTIC!'' In 1901 all sorts of activities began. AYe had a squadron of German vessels coming round about the Irish waters taking soundings and observations at the very -pot whore our only nava! disaster of consequence had occurred in this war. Later on they came to Plymouth Sound, and then to the east coast of Scotland, where we were just planning the great new naval base of Rosyth. In 1902, when the Czar of Russia was passing through German territorial witters, the Kaiser sent to him the following message —"The Admiral of the Atlant'c greets the Admiral of the Pacific."' (Laughter.) In 1903 another ->0 millions was voted to the German Navy, and there were more bombastic speeches, signals, and telegrams by the Kaiser. in 1901 our polite ans began to suspect, for the first time, despite all these warnings, that Germany meant some kind m schief with her naval programme. There was already on the throne of Britain at that time a monarch who exercised a predominant voice in the Councils ut Europe who alo exercised enormous control iv« i bis mad nephew: a king who would go down to all history with the glor o;i> title —more glorious, perhaps, than that of any other monarch who had -at on the throne of England —"Edward the Peacemaker."' (Applause.) The politicians went to him and -a il. "Go to Germany, see the Kaiser, and warn him that lie must be a little more circumspect ill his utterances. and ascertain exactly what is in his nind." King Edward went. There wai- nn official record of what ocurred, but for two years after that visit there was a ce--at <>n of German naval activity an ! bombastic mc-sages. "Ii EMOTE AXI) FANTASTIC EVENT." In Ia new Government, committed, above all things, to international peace, came into power in this country. He was n the House of Commons when the new Prime Minister declared the policy of his Ministry. He smiled when he heard him say we were at peace with all the world, that the horizon was clear, that our relations with Germany were never happier than they were then, and that in the remote and fantast e event of trouble arising between that country and our-' selves, one thing was certain, and that was that arbitration would take the

place of arms. Taking advantage of that declaration, the Kaiser and his advisers .set to work to improve the situation. First of all, a whole series of deputations came here —there were representatives of every branch of German life; and we, on the other hand, sent deputations there; all professing and proclaiming fraternal love and devotion to international peace. THE HYPOCRITES. In 1907 the Kaiser began to play a whole seres of tr.cks upon us. He invited us to what was called a great Peace Conference at The Hague. The Kaiser was friendly with a philanthropist who, by great sacrifice and frugality, had saved up—(laughter)—and built us what was called a Palace of Peace. And the Kaiser invited all the nations of the world to go into it; and in they went, two and two. (Laughter.) When they got there they began to discuss the possibility of the end of war ill the world. The following were two of the resolutions proposed by Germany. 1. In the event of war in the future, no such things as poisonousgas shall ever be used. 2. There shall never be any submarine attack upon non-combatants, mercantile, or passenger vessels. And our new Government sa d, " There ! We told you so. Who wants an army? Who Wijuts a navy? The days of war are ovdr." MORE TRICKERY In the following year, 1908, the Kaiser wrote to our First Lord of the Admiralty, " Now that we understand each other, now that we are such good friends, don't \on think Britain might cease building any further battleships!'" That year it was proposed that we should lay down four new Dreadnoughts and that Germany should lay down two. A certain agitation sprang up in this country, and the cry went up, " We must have eight instead of four." But after the receipt of that letter we actually reduced our four to two, but Germany increased her two to four. \\ hen called upon for an explanation, she said the whole thing was a mistake; they thought we had increased our four to eight, and that was why she increased her two to four. In the House of Commons lie listened with amusement to the declaration of one of the -Minsters that he was satisfied the whole thing was the result of a misunderstanding, and that there had been no bad faith on the part of Germany. At that time the Kaiser paid a v.sit to this country; he wanted a nerve rest. (.Laughter.) He took a house in Hampshire, and spent three months with us, being accompanied, as we now kaow, by military and naval exports and by the ch.ief organiser of the spy department of Germany. He was over here, being visited, feted and entertained at the Guildhall, the .Mansion House, and other places, and making speeches. In one of them he said, ".Mv aim, aboye all things, in the world is the _maintenance of peace, and history in the future. I venture to predict, will do me justice." "1 think it will," added -Mr. Bottomlev, am:d laughter. And while he was over here professing fraternal love for us and an overburdening des re for peace, his own Pari anient, sitting in secret session, voted 000 mil lions more for the strengthening of the German Navy. In the years ILHJS and li'o9 there were more bombastic speeches and visits by the Kaiser to different parts of the world to stir up trouble against France and Br.tain. THE KAISER IN HIS TRUE COLOURS. That sort of thing went on until I'JlO, when King Edward died, and lie was 'scarcely in his grave when the Kaiser came out in Ins true colours. There was another huge Navy Bill, another gnat Army Bill, more bombastic speeches, and something else happened —a book was published by Bernhardt It said in express terms that Germany had be, n following Britain. Frame, and Russia, silently building up a great navv, a mighty army, budding up gold rcoirves and intelligence departments all over the world, and strengthening themselves in every way. They knew, it was stated, that ISritain was oil the brink of civil war in Ireland, there was industrial revolution, rebcll on in India. and trouble in Attica. Spy departments were not always right in their reports. France, it was further ta'd, was torn by political and military d'ssensioii. Ru-sia was weak as a ni-ult of the recent struggle with Japan. "Now is our tune to strike. We can capture the French, we can capture the R'lv-ians. We can obtan ei iitrol of tin' French const-line of the North S a. and while Britain dare not come into the tight, witn her troubles at home and abroad, we can invade her shores, obtain control of her markets and many of her possessions." livery page of that book, they knew today. was submitted to and approved by the Kai-cr before publication. ON THE YKRGE OF WAR. That was one of many things that happened in that year, when they al-i had what was ca'led the Agadir Crisis. We nearly came to war with Germany then. At the very last moment, as part of the contpiracv, Germany threw more dust in our eyes. She said. "The idea of Germany and Brit a n going to war!—such a tiling is unthinkable. There has been a mi-understand ti_;; let us clear it up." Again the politicians came to the countrv and said. ■re's another illustration of the peaceful intentions of Germany." But behind our back, the Kaiser was mak-

ing speeches to his officers, telling them to prepare, and saying they were not quite ready. ''We fooled Britain over this incident. Get ready to strike when oiir opportunity conies." There was another great Navy Bill, another great Army Bill, and more bombastic speeclnv, bv the Kaiser, until, towards the end of 1012, the politicians became so seriously alarmed as to be apprehensive that, after all, Germany was fooling us. There wan then no King Edward to send out. so the politicians bad to look among their own number for one to go and lind out. Their choice fell upon one who spoke German as glibly as his mother tongue, and when be was not engaged in running the Brit'sh Army be was translating German literature. Politically, lie was ripponsible for the liritish Army. He need not say that by profession he was a barrister. THE "INEFFABLE K A I,DANE." This part cular member of the Government had been in the habit of going out every year to witness the German m litary manoeuvres, and coming back and instructing our officers in the secrets and art- of military tactics. But. whereas we sent a barrister for that purpose to Germany, the latter country sent experienced staff officers to witness ours. This particular member of the Government went to Germany to tell the Ka ser and the German Government that Britain bad got a little uneasy at all the«e manifestation:;. and we waited eagerly for bis return. At last the great ambassador or plenipotentiary returned. This is what he said: " I've seen the Kaiser. I've seen his Minsters. I've seen his officers, and everything in the garden is lovely.'' (Loud laughter.) Again we were lulled into a false sense of security, and the politicians again eaid, "There you arc. we told you sc. Everything is all right. There is no cause for anxiety. Germany is a peaceful country, and tho Ka'ser is our friend." WHAT FOOLS WE WERE! That was in 1912; in 1913 we began to see what was really going to happen. During that year we found German agents here buyng up all the horses suitable for military purposes. They were in Canada. Russia, and America buying up all the corn they could get. We found they were m every part of the world making preparations which were consistent only with war; and yet we did not take the hint, because our ambassador came back and was so impressed with the culture, enlightenment, refinement and peaceful ambitions of Germany that he told us he had left h's spiritual home behind him at Berlin. (Laughter.) ' I said at the time," added Mr. Bottomby, "that it is a dangerous thing to attempt to divorce the spiritual from the physical body. Where a man's spiritual home is, there should be iiis body also." (Applause.) So deluded had we been that while these things were going on we were entertaining all sorts of distinguished guests from Germany. In answer to invitations, spiritual, philosophical, military and legal representatives all began to arrive. First of all came Mr. Krupp, the head of the house that made the shot and shell. He came in 1913, and again in 1914, only a few months before the war. and we actually placed at hip; disposal tho First Lord of the Admiralty to take him round all the ammunition works, shipyards, dockyards, showing what clever people we wi re, and showing what preparations we were making in the remote and fantastic event of war. ELABORATE WAR PREPARATIONS Then the Kaiser's brother came. He did not want to bother about the munition works. Krupp had all the information about that. (Laughter.) He evinced a great interest in the East Coast. One Minister explained just what wc should do in the silly and ridiculous event of any foreign country attempting to invade our shores. (Laughter.) The Kaiser also had taken a trip. He was interested in the defence of Gibraltar, and we sent our F:r>t Sea Lord to explain everything to him. That was the way we were being fooled, while Germany was making elaborate preparations for war. The Germans all this time were busy widening and deepening the Kiel Canal, for the sole purpose, as he was always protesting at the time, of affording a hiding place and refuge for their fleet in the event of war and of Britain taking part before she was ready to engage us in a naval battle. He tried on two occasions to move that adjournment of the House for the purpose of calling attention to this very menace. On one occasion, when a Minister of the Crown was saying at Accrington. "My great ambition is to see the great benefieient influence of Germany extended over the seas," he (the speaker) was saying in the House of Commons, "We are being fooled. Germany is nearly ready : why should we wait her convenience. Germany means mischief; why on earth don't you ask her against whom she is build ng this great navy? What justification is there for it!' and tell her that if she builds another single battleship without consultation with England we will treat it as an unfriendly act, and while we have the power —before the Kiel Canal is completed —we will exercise it and sink everyone of her ships to the bottom of tlm <>ea." (Applause.) When the Kiel Canal was completed the Kaiser sent us an invitation to join in the festivities to celebrate "a great engineering feat," as he called it. We sent out our latest super-Dreadnought, and the command of it wan handed over to the Kaiser, who put on his uniform as ail admiral of the lir ti-b Fleet. And he walked up and down the deck and said. "Never before have 1 felt much Hi my element." lie had not evinced a great di.sire to repeat that glorious experience. (Laughter.) And so we allowed til's waterway to be completed to gue the German Fleet a means oi escape in time of war. NAVY PREFERS NIGHT TO •'THE DAY." Mr. FJolti niicy proceeded to refer to what be described a.-, one ol the greatest tragedies in this war. Within two days of the commencement of hostilities the whole of the Hrit>h Flei t was mobil scd in the North Sea, and jo was that of Germany. That navy had always bci n toa-ting "The Day," and when the day came it showed a decided preference ;«r the li ght. (Laughter.) I hose who had been clamoring for a place in the miii, on second thoughts pi el erred a shady nook up a canal. (Laughter.) The tragedy was that when both fleets were in the North Si a. when the politicians were c.v chaiig ng and interchanging their d pioloatic rigmarole!-, when war v.as at last inevitable our naval commanders bad t*> stand by and see evt ry un t of the German navy sneak up the canal. wa\ing their hands, mi to speak, and -ining, "We will meet you another day." Whereas if our commanders had brio left a little freedom they ijMild have hovered about the other de of the North Sea and been inconveniently near the entrance of the Kiel (.'anal. They could have been trusted to lind some excuse, in quite a most friendly spirit. They could have sad, "We are very sorry we can't get out of the way to-day, old chap, but the engniit; have gone wrong. (Laugh-

ter.) Call again to-morrow or a day afterwards.'' And then wo should have had the whole German fleet al our mercy on the day war broke out. DESTINY OF OUR RACE. After a fine call to the higher patriotic optimism, Mr. Bottomley concluded : "I believe the Anglo-Saxon race may iie destined, when the whole thing is over, when the last cannon hag roarid. when the last sword has been sheathed, when fears and blood have ceased to flow, to look back upon tlrs great world upheaval and realise that it has been privileged to be the first to pass the final milestone on the road to human destiny; and with the scales dropped from its eves it may be the first to be permitted to look through those mystic portals which lie beyond human ken to-day and see a brighter, purer, better road than has ever been trodden in the days gone by, to witness at the end of it the figure of the Prince of Peace pointing to the Star of Betlilchcpi. which leads man on to God."