GERMANY WON'T FIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 170, 5 December 1912, Page 7

GERMANY WON'T FIGHT.

SHE IS TOO POOR. LEIPZIG MERCHANT'S, STATEMENT. "Germany is on the verge of a financial'panic, and thus is too poor for said Heir George Graichcn, of Leipzig, Germany, 1 to a Vancouver World reporter the other 1 day. ''Were it not for th'e commercial relations we have with other'nations, v continued Mr. Graichen', ''we would be' precipitated into a fearful condition owing to the excessive burden of taxation under which wo are laboring." - . . Mr. Graiclien is a member of the firm of Oestereich and -Co:, of Berlin, who are the largest importers of wool in the German Empire. He is coming to Australia ,on a mission which includes the purchase of as mueli wool as possible. The visitor pointed out the fact that the taxes for armaments and other things had increased at'least 40 per cent, (luring the past yean ■ ■ :•• "This cannot go on,' lie con tinned, ''and the people 'are becoming more disastisfied every day. Socialists are gaining the upper hand fast, and only as the result of'the-'action of the Government in their craze for more battleships." The 1 cost of living, according to the visitor, has been raised because of the law against the importation of American frozen meats and other foreign products. The conditions are outrageous, and meat is almost beyond the reach of the middle classes. '

"Peace between Germany and England must be maintained," said Mr. Graiehen. "We simply cannot afford to go to war, because ' we are too closely allied with mutual trade interests. It is ridiculous to suppose or to assert that the two countries can war with one another. Tlie race for war. equipment is a foolish one, and one which will inevitably have a bad effect upon the masses of the people."