GERMANY'S WAR PLANS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 187, 30 June 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

GERMANY'S WAR PLANS.

WHAT THE HUNS TOLD THE LATE MR. W. T. STEAD.

Mr. W. E. Carson, of New York, writing in the New York "Times," says : In the midst of the outcry against the British blockade of Germany, and the presentation of such resolutions as that which was offered in the House of Representatives recently, it may be appropriate to a6k what would Germany have done if the German Navyhad gained control of the seas. On this point some statements which were made by the late William T. Stead, the well-known English editor, are well worthy of consideration. These statements of Mr. Stead's can be accepted by even the most ardent proGerman, because Mr. Stead was not only an earnest worker in the cause of peace at The Hague and elsewhere, but he had a strong friendship for the Germans.

For several years Mr. Stead conducted parties of representative Englishmen to Germany to .fraternise with the Germans, and in .turn escorted delegations of Germans to England to enable them to become better acquainted with the English people and English social conditions. Owing to his connection with The Hague peaco movements, he was cordially received in official circles' throughout Europe, and had an opportunity -to discuss international relations with some of the foremost statesmen.

A few years ago I had an interview with Mr. Stead -at his- office in London—probably the last important newspaper interview that he had before he went to his death on the Titanic. This interview was confined exclusively to a discussion of AngloGerman relations, and Mr. Stead, I found, was convinced that while war between Great Britain and Germany was possible, Germany, at least, could make 't impossible because the great mass of the English people were opposed to such a war. All disputes between the two countries, he believed, could be settled by arbitration. In discussing the importance of sea power Mr. Stead said: "A German statesman with whom I talked on this subject admitted that England undoubtedly had the strongest navy in the world, and one-which could not be defeated by ordinary means. 'But,' he added, 'you know, Mr. Stead, that the Avonderfxil developments which are taking place in submarines and aircraft may rcvoVutionise naval warfare! They might offset the lack of battleships, and we might gain the upper hand in the event of war with England.' "In replv to this," said Mr. btcad, "I remarked: '1 sincerely hope that you will never be able to beat us at sea, for if we were blockaded we should be starved into submission very soon. Even if we armed and drilled every able-bodied man in Great Britain it would be useless. England would be in the position of a beleaguered fortress with no food, and there would be no need for invading us. We should have to surrender to avoid dying of starvation.' " 'Nevertheless, Mr. Stead,' aaid the German statesman, 'we should blockade and starve you out, if we could do so, because war is war, and the quickest way to end a conflict is usually the most humane in the end. ' 1 may add that another subject which Air. Stead discussed was the probable action of Germany in the event of war. In giving an account 01 his experiences m Berlin he remarked: "In talking with a distinguished German statesman (Prince von Buclow) not long ago I asked him this question: 'lf by any chance England and Germany should ever get into war what would happen?' His reply was astonishing. 'lmmediately you declared war,' he said, 'we should cross the French frontier and go straight to '" 'But.' I said, 'I am assuming that England "has quarrelled with Germany and that France is entirely out of it. He replied : 'That wouldn't make the slightest difference to us. A\e know very well that if we were at war with you and had France at our backs we might be attacked at once. Whenever we** become involved m war with any important Power we have got to lay France Hat. In the event of war you might destroy our fleet, burn Kiel and ruin our commerce. Aery well, we should simply make France pay tortile whole of it.' " Apparently the Germans, who are row making such an outcry against their enforced shortage ot tood, and demanding relief for their starving babies, would have had no objection to r,.o*kadiug and starving the En-dis-i into submission if the fortunes ot war eave them the command of the seas. It may be added that, from what has appeared in the German press and in articles by pro-Germans in our own newspaper,, the Germans would have us believe that they are fighting France very much against their will; that poor France was a victim ot intrigue and was drawn into the present conflict by perfidious Lngland; that Germany, originally, had no intention whatever of attacking France. From what was said to Mr Stead, however, it seems very clear that Germany arranged, long ago to make a wanton attack on Franc- whenever the necessity arose, and. if successful, to extort another huge indemnity.