COUNTING THEIR CHICKENS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2550, 26 August 1915, Page 5

COUNTING THEIR CHICKENS

. \ GERMAN PRESS DISCUSSES SPOILS OF WAR EVEN AMERICA WILL HAVE TO PAY By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright London, August 24. From the day the Austro-German armies threw back the Russians from tho Carpathians there lias been a growiii£r boastfuhiess on the part of the Berlin newspapers, and many public men have been jubilating over the prospect of dividing the lion's skin. Even the Reichstag reflects this Chauvinism. Horr von Bethmariii-Hollwcg's speech was a great personal success. The Press loudly approves' the statement by the Financo Minister (Dr. Helfferich) that Germany's enemies must carry all the load, and that-Germany is spwiding one hundred millions sterling monthly. Tho no\vspapors N nre actually discussing the amount to bo demanded from Aiherjca for supplying automobiles and projectiles to England and France. The "Times" says:—"With German thoroughness, experts in international law are_ spending their days and nights in Berlin preparing blackmail bills against certain neutral States." Mr. George liernhard, in the "Yossische Zcitung," voicing a widespread opinion, says :—"Tho burden of tho war must be borne by our enemies. At tho present moment we have Poland, Lithuania. and Courland; we occupy almost all Belgium, and encircle a- portion of France, which includes the chief indus- ' trial districts and a respect-able percentage of the total French taxpayers. Whatever standpoint ono takes" regarding annexation, our financial gain is certain. These countries will either be given back after the war, when we will demand compensation and costs (our enemies being also ready to make _a sacrifice to regain possession of their former property as quickly as possible), or the countries will remain in our possession. In that case they will be valuable sources of future strength and taxation, and they, contain property of inestimable value. Certainly the burden of indemnity will he hard to bear and more difficult to pay, but that is not our concern. As long as we possess these securities wo can wait. _ They represent capital, and also bear interest."