AS OTHERS SEE THEM.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 February 1918, Page 4

AS OTHERS SEE THEM.

OPEN LETTER TO THE GERMANS..

Sir Isidore Spielmann, a noted British worker in the interests of fine arts, has addressed an open leter to Herr Harden, editor of the Zukunft, -“oiie of the few sane men now in Germany,” in the hope that the points which he puts forward may help to. “wash from t-he eyes of his countrymen some of the dust which the Government has thrown into' them.” Afflfr stating* the well-known facts which disprove the fiction foisted upon the German people, that the Allies are responsible for the war, and forced it. upon a peaceful Germany, he continues:

“It is far from my intention, Herr Harden, merely to abuse your people; but have they over considered why they are mow so despised? They should try to see themselves as others, see them. They are generally hated because of their unbounded conceit and thir brutal nature. Their cruelties in this war have seldom been surpassed by the most savage tribes, and have revived for the German people ■ the ancient name of ‘Huns’ —whicn the Kaiser once claimed himself —a name that will stick to them for all time. And why does the whole world distrust you and suspect you? Why will no country trust your word again? Because you do not respect your solemn engagements when it suits your purpose to break them, and because you have brought your diplomacy to the lowest level of trickery and deceit, as inculcated by Bismarck and his disciples. Your endeavour to Prussianise the world has failed because your world war has thanks to the all wise, all merciful God, and the world will not be set back. . , If your people think # that all will be forgotten and forgiven, as far as they are concerned, when the war is over, tell them they are grievously mistaken. . • • Until the

German people, especially tie Prussians, show themselves to be a chastened people .understanding the difference between right and wrong, and living up to it; until they understand that honour and truth, mercy and justice, are virtues to be practiced by Germans as well as by the other nations of the world, they will have to live henceforth as the most despised people on God’s earth.”