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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 280, 18 April 1913, Page 4

t the cult of patriotism. In all classes, of French society." savs the London "Morning Post," "one may hear he same reflection, 'No one desires /, !U ' ■ ut war will be brought about by the force of circumstances ami so our only policy is to make ourselves ready for it when it comes.* The French cannot but feel, after the events of late i ears, that the German army mav, at any time be employed against them. I'ranee may be invited to adopt a policy disagreeable to her with the option of ( ' ol ! ,llc ' t Wlth Germany. Accordingly luenchmen are thinking what their countii.v con do to be equal to the new situation thus created. A nation of forty millions cannot turn out as many soldiers as a nation of sixty million* M-nnee will do all she can to perfect tin training and direction of her arnn ■ml its equipment. Yet she cannot but b. outnumbered. Her position is, therefore not easy." The London "Xation " , ' strongly pacificist in tone states the matter in another way "\ marked change of tone." it saw, «h™ oceiiired 111 recent years in French feciiiii,-. The cult of patriotism in a militarv dress is once more the fashion, and its literary prophets who spoke only to a Hi que the other da.v, have now' the ear of society and vouth. A nation must lie interested in something Jt must have some purpose if it lives'at all The temporary bankruptcy of Radicalism has killed all keenness for so S

reform, even, one might say, for intern- j al polities. Jf only because it abhors a I vacuum, the French mind has turned j

Yjfith something of its recurring roman- \ tie enthusiasm to the army, and the pur- j suit of military efficiency." {