PRINCE BULOW’S BOOK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 78, 23 March 1914, Page 4

PRINCE BULOW’S BOOK.

Discussing Prince von Billow’s bookin the London “News and Leader,” Mr H. Saclier says: Perhaps the word is harsh, but no kind of contemporary political writing seems quite so unattractive as the characteristic political literature of imperial Germany. Prince Billow’s book is no exception to the rule. His devotion'to Germany is genuine enough, and his labours in her behalf unquestioned, nor does lie fail to wreathe Imperial Germany in a sort of idealistic mist. But the stranger without the gates, even the benevolent, would-be sympathetic

stranger, does not find the enthusiasm] infectious. He is chilled, not fired. I The idealism of this Imperial Germany; seems to have so Ititie reference to

the general welfare of humanity; it I seems so much a metaphysic of devastating fictions, line power and prestige and world-policy; it seems to have so little appreciation for the real values of life. The retort that Imperial Germany is a political parvenu may be an adequate explanation, hut] it does not soothe. It .Imperial Germany is not particularly popular with the world, it is largely because in her scheme of things the feelings of the world are of very little account. It may be replied that Imperial England and Imperial France are just as little heedful of humanity at large, lie that just or unjust, without doubt, the manner of Imperial Germany is far less conciliatory, and manner counts for much when it is a question of attracting. Prince Billow’s advice to other Chancellors takes in effect the form of a review of his own administration, with the appropriate morals indicated. Roughly, four branches of

his activity strike him as particnia-.'y significant: his development of the navy and of international affairs; his manoeuvring with German political parties; his protectionist tariff- and his Polish expropriation policy. His aim is to show how in all these various fields ho took the truly statesmanlike course; and, as he is very fully aware that critics not a few taKo a very different estimate, his book is not only a guide hut also an apologia.