EXILE OF DOORN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1939, Page 8

EXILE OF DOORN

EX-KAISER’S 80TH BIRTHDAY. I The thoughts which must have inspired a desire for world domination were reviewed by “The Times” on .the occasion of the 80th birthday of the ex-Kaiser last month. It is easy for us to realise, says the Times, why he did not really understand the English temperament, although he knew us so well. Englishmen are outwardly the simplest of mortals, inwardly the most complex. Many who come to this country for a short time go away thinking that they understand us and become authorities on Great Britain in their own country; and yet, if they knew us only in times of tranquillity, they may be violently disillusioned as soon as circumstances change from security to danger, from peace to war. Relaxation is dear to the heart of every Englishman, and he is apt to relax to the point of appearing soft or at least incurably idle, if he does not think there is any special need for effort. He seems, moreover, to be careless of causes, indifferent to principles. Nothing could be farther from the truth. When the threat to his freedom comes to his safety, to his interests, good nature makes way in a flash to energy, determination and. concentrated effort. England did not want to quarrel with the Kaiser. She does not want to quarrel with Germany now. But there are some things she will not stand. The unprovoked invasion of Belgium was one. An attack on the Empire, or the Empire’s allies and neighbours, would always be another.