THE GERMAN MENACE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13461, 29 June 1909, Page 9

THE GERMAN MENACE.

to the eoitob ot "the press."

Sir,—l read with great interest and approval the letter of "Forewarned* on the above subject in a recent issue of "The Prres,"' and believe that many thoughtful and peace-loving people are in full accord with your correspondent in his view of the gravity of the pp-i----tion as regards our Empire and tho necessity that England should- wako up to a realisation of what is involved in the very severe strain on her financial resources by the naval policy of Germany. That policy has entailed and, if continued, will entail enormous expenditure not only on England;, but also on the various units of the Empire, with its consequent.privations and' suffering, and th£ latter are therefore justified in making themselves heard as to whether it would not he better to face the position boldly while it is yet time, and before Germany -becomes ep strong as to leave any doubt about th*. issue **t a oontost for the supremacy of tbo sea.

Discussing the subject with the man in thc street, one rarely hears any second opinion about it, for peoplo are now realising the great financial strain, with crippling effect on all channels of industry, involved in the shipbuilding competition now going on in the Old World.

It is desirahle, therefore, that these opinions should crystalise, and' take such form as will lead statesmen ell over the Empire to take action through the nation's spokesman, the British Government, in demanding from Germany a cessation of that policy, with the alternative of having to face the music before she becomes any stronger On the sea.

Her fleet once defeated and captured, her Dreadnoughts would strengthen England's might, and" there would be an end to the threatened invasion and conquest of our Motherland hy a foreign foe, unless, indeed, it can be accomplished by airships, the possibility of which seems somewhat remote.

Why should we wait till it suite convenience an<!' opportunity to attack us, as her past history, ehowe she is preparing to do when, moreover, we shall he more or Ices weakened and exhausted by the continued drain on our resources, with its paralysing effect on industry, in the meantime lulled and cajoled into a feeling offalse security by the undignified attempts of misguided, but -well intentioned, peacemakers. Exchanges of courtesy, however numerous, on the part of various publio bodies and combinations of each nation's citizens can never nullify the hard logic of facts involved' in the mad haste exhibited in the determination to procure* at all costs a Tast fleet of battleships. I recently read l of a distinguished German admiral' publicly urging the necessity for economy in the private life of all classes of his countrymen— and women—in order that they might be the better able to contribute to the great German ideal of a navy supreme upon the sea. Would that our countrymen and coiintrywomen were moved by the aame patriotic and self-denying ambition, for leisure end extravagance are rampant* .in the present day amongst all classes, and are sapping the vitality of the nation. Will anjr of our sisters be courageous enough to urge self-denial in this direction on the meeting of women called for next Thursday in the Alexandra Hall, for undoubtedly it is to them we must look for greater economy in private, life, and they would be the first to feel the privations anil , suffering of a long, severe and exhausting war.— Yours; etc., . ANXIOUS.