THE NEUTRALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1915, Page 5

THE NEUTRALS.

SWEDEN PRO-GERMAN. SUPPLIES THROUGH THE BALTIC. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, August 18. A neutral, who visited Belgium, Germany, Irauce, Austria, Holland, Italy, .Russia, and other European countries last year, thinks Britain does not yet realise the poignancy of the war. Swedes and Americana trading in Stockholm, and even Germans, are puzzled at the attitude about cotton. Swedes state that Genii an ingenuity will import cotton somehow, whether contraband or otherwise. There are many ways of getting cotton in and out of Sweden, which the Swedish Government is unaible to control. Swedes, generally, are pro-German, and their minds are saturated with pan-German-ism, but the Swedish Socialists arc mainly hostile to Germany, ibut do not favor intervention. The Swedes greatly 1 respect the power of the British, Navy, The Germans are arrogantly confident of the ultimate results of 'tho war, claiming that when it comes to war attrition German organisation and patriotism will be equally as effective as last year. Norwegians. fire sympathetic with the Allies, though impatient that the mighty British navy, has not defeated its German rival. Nevertheless, Norway realises that the defeat of Britain would mean an end to the liberty of little nations. The British assertions that Germany is blockaded is incorrect, because the Baltic is a va&t open mouth through which supplies are pouring Into Germany. Germans are frightened about tie cotton question, despite' tlielr talk of wood pulp replacing it, and are striving to obtain cotton with all their, strength and cunning.

GERMANY'S ARROGANCE. THiE NATION CONSOLIDATED. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) Received August 19, 8.15 p.m. London, August 19. The neutral, continuing his experiences, says that probably neutrals leave Germany at the present time with a feeling akin to release from prison. The harshness and arrogance -is intolerable, and is increasing in all the States. The former popular anxiety after the Falklands battle, the fall of Tsingtau, and the unsuccessful western efforts is now replaced by an exuberance and confidence that is manifested unpleasantly In various directions. 'Foreigners traveling on the railways are insulted. Germany in wartime has an intensity almost impossible to realise. The country is doing and thinking nothing else but hatred, and the four great moulders of public opinion—the press, picturo theatres, public speakers, and the pulpit—are all under Government direction. The whole atmosphere of officialdom is that of accession, as a lonely straiger visiting Germany unpleasantly realises. Nothing is permitted to sturd in the way of hostility to foreigners, including Americans. _ A violent anti-American propaganda is proceeding in the newspapers, music halls, and jiijturo theatres. Tha Government has stopped the circulation of the most violently obscene anti-British postcards, and also the "Gott Strafe England" stamps. Dijc'plino has replaced the famous "culture," and the Germans say: "Our discin-ne foresees everything iand does everything. The Government thinks and acts as we work." It seems impossible that a nation of seventy millions can thmk one man, yet it is true. The Germans are contemptuous of Austria, whose attitude <s generally one of depression and weariness, in fact, almost despair. The war wis lievel popular there.