A SOCIALIST'S WARNING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 81, 31 August 1914, Page 4

A SOCIALIST'S WARNING.

Tlic tragedy that is at present being enacted in Europe recalls a series of vigorous articles tliat were written in the "Daily .Mail - ' a few years ago by- Mr Robert Blatchford, one of the founder;} of the modern Socialist movement, and editor of the "Clarion." Mr Blatchford was employed in a tobacco factory in Germany for several years, and made a close study of German polities and aspirations. He opened by saying: "I write these, articles because I' believe that Germany is deliberately planning to destroy the British Empire; and because that I know that we are not able or ready to defend ourselves against a sudden and formidable attack. 1 write from a sense of duty, and from a conviction that a destruction of the Brit- ! ish Empire would be a misfortune for Europe and a blow to civilisation throughout the world." He proceeds to show the motive that would prompt Germany in attacking England. "The am. hition of the Pan-Germans, who are the war party, who are the masters of Germany, is no new tiring in world history; it is a very old thing, as old as it is evil. For the Pan-German ambition is the ambition for Empire; the ambition., to dominate and exploit the world. 11 is the old, old lust for power and glory, the old, old greed for trade and wealth.'' Mr Blatchford points to the fact that the population of Germany is rapidly increasing, and she is hungry for trade, and for influence in distant seas. She

needs more ports and a greater seaboard, and ISelgium and Holland would lie to her invaluable. ''The policy of Germany,'' he says, "is the Bismarckian policy of deliberate and ruthless conquest, with world-dominion for its goal. .... In the pursuit of an unlawful ambition, the Pan-Germans menace the honor and liberty of the British, and the j Kivneii. and the Danes, and the Dutch. -All Europe is to be Teutonised. V\'e are nil to be drilled and schooled, and uniformed and taxed by Prussian oflicials, and the Emperor YVilhebn 11. is to rule us with a rod of iron." That is the Pau-(.Yrinanic. dream. That is the ambition which is driving Germany into

war of aggression. Tn a subsequent article, Mr Jilatehford gives a number of explicit instances of German hostility. He quotes the Kaiser and the great German historian, Professor Triclsdu', who says: "If our Empire lias the courage to follow an independent colonial policy with determination, a collision of our interests and those of England is unavoidable." Mr Blatchford's opinion is that the strongest evidence of Ger-

many's designs against Britain is her navy, and with the feverish haste with which that navy was constructed. He points to the long quays at Harden, which were made for .the embarkation of an army for the invasion of England. The German method has always been

war, while proving peace. This was tho plan adopted ia relation to Austria and France. Bismarck's theory was the "destiny of Germany must be worked out in blood and iron." This is the only policy to-day. Mr Blatehford ridicules tho idea that the Germans do not want war. "She means business," he says, "blood and iron business—and all conciliation, subterfuge, and compromise provoke her to <iontem.pt and scorn." After declaring that what England wanted was a strong "man," tho Socialist writer proceeds to discuss what to him appears the greatest danger. The nearer danger ia the danger of ii German invasion of France. "The defeat of France is the defeat of Britain. The downfall of France is the downfall of the British Empire. The aggrandisement of Germany is the humiliation of Europe." These words, written several years ago, have special significance in the light of the tragic events of the present day. Mr Blatehford did a great service to the Empire when he warned her of her peril. He caused men to wonder and politicians to think.