The Daily News. MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1912. FRIENDS OR FOES?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 162, 8 January 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 1912. FRIENDS OR FOES?

The j international question of most moment to Britons the world over is the I relation of Britain with Germany. We are not permitted to see the'minds of either the people of Britain or the masses of Germany, and the comments and opinions' expressed are for the most part from individuals. It is believable that neither the people of the one country nor the other desire thai; the immensely important business relationships between the two countries should be broken by war, and on both sides some of the leaders of thought are very evidently doing all ihat can be done in the interest of peace and quietness. The onlooker, however, can never feel that the position is absolutely amicable until either Britain or Germany curtail naval expenditure. The building panic' is still feverishly pursued, and until there is cessation safety is not assured. Lord Haldane has recently said that the future holds more intimate relationships between the two countries. The relationship from every .point, except the diplomatic one, is most intimate. It. is an intimacy of blood, both royal and plebian, an intimacy of trade unparalleled in other countries, an intimacy of interest, to break which would be an international crime of the .greatest magnitude. Mr. McKenna has said that only goodwill is necessary to preserve friendly relations. The players of the international game of chess with other people's territories for pieces and other people's property for stakes, have a method of dealing that would not be tolerated in common business relations between eommon business men. There is ever a lurking suspicion that each must be dishonest, and it reminds one of the picture by a celebrated humorist, who shows two spielers sitting beside a rock about to play cards. Says one to the other, "Are we going to play fair, or all we know?" Diplomatists appear to be always playing ''all they know." These British statesmen, as far as may be judged from their mere words, arc most anxious that Britain and Germany shall remain at peace, but much importance is attached to the fact that when they forwarded messages to the Arbitration League of a conciliatory character, German newspapers were silent. The supposition, of course, is that Germany still regards Britain as a snake in the grass, although why the silence of a newspaper should suggest unfriendliness is not clear. The German newspapers were by no means silent prior to the messages of the Ministers, and there is a distinct inclination on the part of the Press, whether inspired or not, towards the healing of the wounds inflicted by the Morocco contretemps. A rather remarkable German is Dr. Schiemann, and lie has never been accused of any leaning* towards Britain. The German ' ; Kreizzchvng" is a Conservative

paper of a very pronounced type, and it has printed an article from Dr. Schiemann on 'British and German relationship. The writer first called attention to the now famous, but then forthcoming speech of Sir E. Grey on British foreign policy, and said that it would decide for many years the relationship between the two countries. He said the bitterness of Germany was created by England's behaviour in the recent crisis, but that the desire of the German people—by which he of course means German personages—is for a real business understanding and co-operation in matters of high policy In fact, this influential German almost proposes an entente cordiale between Germany and Britain. He calls for unity by saying that a combination of the two countries would be a factor of immeasurable power, while division means that either can lame the other and injure economic development. He expresses the great truth that neither can possibly annihilate the other, and infers that, though it is possible for them to bathe Europe with blood and to do intolerable injury, it must eventually be merely a matter of repairing tremendous damage. The writer further mentions that a conflict would make room for interests inimical to .both countries and that immediate advantage would be taken of the circumstances. He says plainly that Germany does not want to fight, but that if uhe

is forced she will fight to the* last man. Dr. Schiemann is not exactly a representative of the people, but is certainly one of the personages of the class who make war. It is possible that the highest opinion of the personages if as readily available as the opinions of this man, would coincide. It seems, however, to ■be necessary to preserve a "dignified silence." Dignified silences that irritate many millions of people and keep nations on tenterhooks are in bad taste—and may ultimately be very expensive.