GERMAN METHODS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2955, 15 December 1916, Page 14

GERMAN METHODS

HOW THE TEUTON CAPTURES TRADE ' * \ BOOKLETS ON RUMANIA AND IRELAND A German firm of geographical publishers, Messrs. Perthes, of Gotha, has commenced tho issue of a scries of booklets, which, it avows, are intended to prepare tho way for the peaceful penetration of foreign countries. In its preface to the first of tho series the firm says, after making this avowal: "Successful work abroad is accomplished not only by professional knowledge and ability; it depends above all on an acquaintanceship with the political, economic, and intellectual development of the foreign nation, with the principles on which it is governed, and with tho inclinations and antipathies, the likes and dislikes of the people." The knowledge of all this, the firm observes, will not only prepare the peaceful penetrant for residence in the foreign country that he selects as his field of labour, but it is essential also to everyone who intends to enter into political or economic relations with the foreign .country. ,In order to fulfil this purpose, tho firm continues, the collection is not to be a mere compilation of dry facts, ■ hut the various auwill endeavour to bring out the peculiarities of each separate nation, and illustrate the phases of its growth, so that the readers may fully understand the present temperament of the people, and know exactly how to work to the best advantage among them. Tho project, the firm adds, ba,s already obtained tho most encouraging approbation and support, and it asks for suggestions calculated to increase tho efficiency of the booklets.

Looking Towards Ireland, The first of the series, remarks the London "Times" is "Ireland," which is written by Dr. Julius Pokorny, Lecturer on Celtic Philology at Vienna University. Dr. Pokorny outlines Irish history from the very' earliest times, showing, of course, that Ireland and the Irish have been utterly ruined by English brutality, rapacity, and bail government. He concludes by advocating the revival of the Irish language. and suggests the purchase of islands mi the western and northern coasts in order to.-establish there model Irish settlements, from which the Iriijh national culture might later permeate the mainland. The rich IrishAmericans, he remarks, would'no'doubt gladly provide the necessary means, and' one day the population of the

whole island would realise that poverty and the Irish language are not inseparable. The author refers to all the well-known Irish problems,, explains tiie present mode of Governwent, the condition of the people, of trade, industry, agriculture, etc., aad explains what he considers to be the possibilities for developing tho country's Jiaturalresources. Peaceful Penetration of Rumania! The second of the series deals witli Rumania, its author being Dr. Otto i'reiiierr von Duugern, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Graz. Professor von Dungern also outlines the political history of Rumania, describes its constitution, and 'explains its present condition . from every .point of view. He gives a history of the Rumanian people, describes tho fertility of the country, its mineral wealth, and expresses his opinion concerning the possibilities of the development of the natural resources. Ho explains the Rumanian system of education, speaks of Rumanian literature, the Press, science and art, gives an account of the cultivation of corn, of vines, and of fruit, and tells of tho progress made in forestry, horse and cattle breeding, pisciculture, home industries, etc. The book Tg brought up to the summer of 1913, and contains just the knowledge needed by the German going to Rumania as a stranger with the object of aiding in tlie work of "peaceful penetration." More to Follow. The lack of such information as is offered in these booklets has often placed the Englishman abroad at a very serious disadvantage, and a great service would be rendered to Englishmen going out into the world if they had at their disposal such an outline of essential facts concerning the country that they intend to visit. A Berne correspondent says copies of the first two booklets are in tho windows of the book-shops in all the towns of German .Switzerland, and Germany is no doubt flooded with them. Booklets dealing, in a.-similar manner, with Sweden, Poland, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Italy, are to follow very quickly; others dealing with Austria, Hungary, Spain, Greece, Australia, and Japan, are to appear as soon as possible. The price of each booklet is from 3s. to 55., according to its size, those on Ireland and Rumania cost 3s. each. In an announcement on the cover Messrs. Perthes say that the books give trustworthy information concerning the situation, soil, race, history, language, schools, churches, art, agriculture, industry, technical science, traffic, society, army, i navy, political: parties, press, and diplomacy of foreign peoples and nations. There is something to he learned from this German idea.

We were in a tram going to a naval depot, says an English writer, and the carriage u;as full of officers bound for their various ships. The solitary civilian occupant of the comportment was a clergyman travelling to carry out an invitation to hold Sunday services for sailors; He was desirous of acquiring knowledge, and among other questions sought information as to the significance of the various hands of gold lace and coloured stripes worn by officers on their sleeves. "Now, why," he asked, turning to a spgeon, "do you wear red between your rings ? What does that mean "Blood," said the surgeon, who was not in' a communicative frame of mind. "Ah!" 6aid> the loquacious-Inquirer. "I think I tako your meaning. Good, good. And what," turning to another officer, "is the purport of the light blue stripe that yon wear?" "Brains" was the quick reply, amid universal laughter. The visitor was nonplussed till the explanation was vouchsafed. A light blue circle 011 the sleeve is the distinguishing mark of a naval instructor or schoolmaster. ,