ENGLAND AND GERMANY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1079, 18 March 1911, Page 12

ENGLAND AND GERMANY.

AMBASSADOR RECALLS FAMOUS INCIDENT. On the occasion of tho celebration in London on Saturday, January 28, of tho Kaiser's birthday, Count Meuernich, the German Ambassador, delivered a somewhat remarkable speech dealing with two points—tho future of Germany and Anglo-German relations, The members of the German colony, to the number of 'about 500, were dining together at tho Hotel Cecil, and over tho head of the German Ambassador tho Union Jack and the Standard of the Fatherland woro hoisted close together. In proposing King George's health, liis Excellency said that on that day— tho birthday of their beloved Emperor —ho would like to remind them of au episode which brought _ together last year the two monarchs in a memorable way. Who l, last year, all that was mortal of the late King Edward lay in State in Westminster Hall, tho two rulers, so closely allied by blood, went together to pay a last farewell visit to tho lamented King, and, overwhelmed by tho emotions of tho moment, they shook hands in silence in s'ight of tho mourning English people who were noiselessly moving around them, It was an irresistible to givo expression to tho friendly feelings by which tho two monarchs so closely related n-cro-animated towards each other. This wholly spontaneous manifestation . shoifedrclonrly/itlici.'firinv resolve of thoijM Emiiorora'nd liiiig George' to cultivate towards each other relations of trust and confidence for tho welfare of their peoples. His Excellency, in proposing tlid Kaiser's health, referred to the foundation of tho German Empire forty years ago. "No one," lie said, "who did not live through those great days could form any adequate conception how widespread and intense was the thrill of nationality that passed'through Germany. Never since had' the German people been moved by a similar com- ' innn emotion.

"Within lier own borders Germany has witnessed during the last forty years a progress in almost every field of human activity which has few parallels in modem history. As inevitable, wo are confronted with many difficult problems, arising mostly out of our growing industrialism. For some of those problems wo have yet to find solutions, but we are unflagging in our pursuit and get nearer and nearer every day. Each new era has to face such thorny questions, and I may say that Germany suffered 110 more, but rather less, from them than.other great industrial nations. "As regards foreign policy, our position is a sccnre and respected one. It seems to ma tlijit" as a nation wo can look, back with satisfaction on tho results of the past forty years and forwurd into tho future w.itli confidence. Of course, tho energies of tho nation being no longer concentrated on one great common goal, as they wero at tho birth of the Empire, tho intellectual forces are dispersed in different directions ; they flow into different channels and frequently como into collision. "But this form of contention generates strength, for, as Racino said, tho 'conflict of opinions produces light. Naturally a good deal of' dissatisfaction is felt by the partisans of tho various crecds and forms of opinion when thov fail to carry their point. But regarding the position as a whole, those who need it may find rcassuranco by looking Hack over the last forty years. There seems to bo no justifications for tho wish existing among certain enthusiasts that the pace of our national progress should bo quickened. Tho pat-riotio Gorman heart still beats as vigorously as ever, and tho same fervent patriotism is latent in tho soul of our people. No good purpose would bo served by setting up an artificial goal; it was a mistake to anticipate. Tho time must bo ripe. When out of the dim mist of tho future a new ideal for tho nation shall emorgo every true German would recognise it. Then, as in tho past, wo shall bo quickened by 0110 great common thought, and gather round tho Imperial standard to carry Gorman civilisation to new heights."