BRITAIN'S WEAK POINTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 185, 23 December 1912, Page 4

BRITAIN'S WEAK POINTS.

Herr Mariano Herggelet, a German wlio resided in Britain for some fifteen year!,, has written ior the delectation of his countrymen a book entitled "England's Weak Points." His criticism-of British national character is drastic. He asserts that the average Briton never reflects or considers, never troubles to alter anything until it is too late to do any good, never keeps an engagement unless it has to do with amusement or sport, and never does anything to-dai that he can possibly postpone until tomorrow. "According to German ideas," he says, "there are in the whole of England only 150,000 really capable men." In public administration Herr Herggelet finds much to deplore. "The State," he says, "possesses neither its own .schools, railways, shipbuilding 01 other yards, forests, estates, properties, spas nor water places. Even the telephone system was until recently in private hands. The State actually contents itself with the management'of the army, the navy, the public funds and the postal service. The towns do not possess their own gas, electricity, means of communication (though progress is being made in this respect), slaughterhouses, hospitals, or any such establishments, but leave them to such as hope

to make a profit by them." Britain's foreign policy also falls under the'lash of Herr Herggelet, who says that Sir Edward Grey, "filled absolutely with envy, hatred and malice towards Germany," took as the motto of his policy, "Down with Germany!" and shrank from no sacrifice of British prestige that would bring him nearer his goal. Herr Herggelet confidently prophesies tluit in the next fifty years the British Empire will be dismembered, and Britain's national existence will depend upon the gracious clemency of Germany. But Herr Herggelet, after this prophecy of doom, relents somewhat, and admits a few good points in the British character, the groundwork of which, he says, consists in gentleness, good nature, forbearance, endurance, generosity, affection, loveableness, unselfishness, and a wealth of confidence and goodwill towards everyone." Herr PTerggelet's book appears likely to place a very severe strain upon these beatific attributes.