The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1930. BEFORE THE WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 78, 5 July 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1930. BEFORE THE WAR.

Baron Beyers, the late Minis^ef I 'for ;ss#s at :Rerlin,, \f*f published a book' entitled "Germany befoije"ithe War," in. which lie goes over| friuch' ground not by any means nejv, but u neven;heje,ss interesting. He sjummarises .the chief, events.. leading jtcHMie action of Germany in , plunging the world into strife and confirms the impression already widely accepted, that the war was due largely to the Kaiser's persistent folly in aetiug practically as Germany's Foreign Minister and to the further facts that he was blindly ignorant of public opinion in foreign countries, especially Great Britain, and that his selection of Ambassadors to serve him abroad was influenced by personal considerations instead of by the fitness of the persons selected for the posts offering. In a pen and ink sketch of the Kaiser before the war Baron Beyers says that no one "who has not bad the opportunity of approaching the. Emperor William and of conversing with him can realise the favorable impression that he at first creates." Baron Beyers admits that he was tremendously impressed by the Kaiser's "mobile, expressive face, with magnificent eyes that keep it always bright and animated," and also by his great rush of words to the mouth. But the baron goes on to admit that he felt much anxiety as to whether the Kaiser meant what he said, and a creeeping doubt whether the Emperor was not "the most striking actor that has appeared on the political stage of our day." To most people nowadays there is no doubt or anxietv as to Wilbelm's insincerity and double-dealing. Baron Beyers touches on the belief which the German official circles held that Britain would never, no matter under what provocation, take part in a European war, and in support of this utterly wrong view says: "There was high financial authority to support this conviction among the German public. Those potentates of the purse carried on their intrigues in London up to the very end, not only in the business world, but even in political circles. In the parliamentary lobbies at Westminster financiers of German origin

took steps with a view to preveu«u ß any participation by England in a Continental struggle. Shortly before the outbreak of hostilities Herr Ballin the Kaiser's confidential servant, came to London with orders from, his master to make all his arrangements for war and to hoodwink his English friends into the belief that Germany's intentions were peaceful when in point of fact all was ready for hurling the thunderbolt." That, doubtless was the programme, but it failed as miserably as it should have done. Some allegations of bribery and corruption we prefer not to believe, but the book mav, at anyrate, be useful os further disclosing iho falsehood > and treachery which are characteristic i of the modern German.