WHY PRUSSIANISM DOESN'T SCARE US.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1916, Page 7

WHY PRUSSIANISM DOESN'T SCARE US.

(By Robert Blatcliford). Constantly we are warned against the ■danger that our Army and our industries will be "Prussianised." And the answer is that Prussianism will not get a footing in Britain, because Britain is not Prussia; that our people cannot oe .Prussianised beeause they are not Prussians. There is conscription in Franco, plain, unadulterated conscription; but Franc;' .is not Prussianised beeause the French are not bullies and will not submit to be bullied. There is virtual industrial conscription in France,' but French , industries arc not Prussianised. France is. Gallieised; t.he entile nation js united in golden bonds of patriotism, France to-day has one heart, a heart glowing with love for France. The most that .vill ever lie asked of the British is that they should do as much for Britain as the French are doing for Fiance. So far our people have not been asked to do that much. To talk of Prussianising Britain Is ns ansurd as to talk of Anglicising Germany. Prussia has become Prussianised becauso its people arc Prussians. It is a tradition in the Prussian Army that the rank and file are mere serfs. It is ft tradition in the British Army that the men will not lie bullied and that the officers shall be gentlemen. The V'.ritish tradition will survive in Britain simply beeause it suits the genius of the people.