SHALLOW PROGRESS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 45, 9 October 1914, Page 4

SHALLOW PROGRESS.

A writer in the Commercial Record remarks that if anything could make us realise how shallow is the progress of modern society, it is indeed the history of rocent events. For no other reason is Europe in the throes of war, than the fact of there having been a war fevor in Germany for some time past, and which Lad to find a natural outlet somewhere. The Kaiser longed to fight because the working classes were fast becoming dissatisfied and also, as the conqueror of Europe, the succession of his son would be better assured. The German army longed to fight because it is a military caste and wants the intoxication of military struggle and success. The German people apparently, so far as they are represented by those who speak and write in their name at Berlin, longed for .var, because they, could not endure the thought that there is a neighboring nation they could not bully. It is the revival of the old Prussian spirit that now dominates Germany, the thirst for money and territory with blood in attendance. The set-back-received by the Germans from the Belgians goes to show that the French army, supported as they are by British troops, should really hold its own, sometimes losing battles, sometimes winning them, sometimes advancing, sometimes retreating, and with Russia steadily moving forward it is certain that the war will, before long, present itself in a totally different light to the German people. Whether they will wish that it should stop or be waged with increased fury, no one can pretend to guess, but it is certain that the war with France and Russia is popular, because it is taken as a magnificent occasion of showing off its triumphant army tc the world, but scenes like that cf Liege are totally out of keeping xith the desired, effect. Self imagination may render the Kaiser Divine, but, nevertheless, we incline to the belief that he is one more instance of Swift's lines:— .....

Brutes find out where their talents lie; A bear will not attempt to fly; A founder'd horse will oft debate Before he tries a five-barred gate; But man we see the only: creature Who led by folly, combats nature.