GERMAN SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 15

GERMAN SITUATION

Historical Background

LECTURE TO W.E.A. Speaking to a large and appreciative Workers’ Educational Association audience at the Trades Hall on Tuesday night, in continuation of his short course of lectures on “The Present Situation In Germany,” Professor G. W. von Zedlltz gave an interesting survey of the historical events which led up to the German revolution and the dethronement of Kaiser Wilhelm 11. In his opening remarks the speaker pointed out the necessity for those who wished to obtain a clear view of the position to understand the mental outlook of the German people, which differed considerably fi'qm our own. “The German idea of patriotism,” said the professor, “is quite different to ourg, and is more cultural than national or political. They do not conceive of the foreigner as we do because they have always had peoples of other races on both sides of their borders or been subject to their rule.” The speaker traced the development of German national unity, which, he said, was a shadowy one up till 1805. Between 1805 and 1815 there was no unity at all, and then Napoleon was mainly responsible for the unity of Germany. The lecturer referred to the differing treatment of the Alsace-Lorraine question in 1815, 1870 and 1914, and to Napoleon Ill’s intervention, which prevented the union of North and South Germany until after the war with France. England did not consider herself involved and offered no intervention. He then gave an outline of the constitutional system between 1871 and 1914, stating that It was framed by Bismarck with an eye to existing institutions rather than to the future. Under this system Parliament degenerated Into a mere talking-shop through which democracy could strike no roots. While lie ruled Bismarck’s great nightmare was the fear of coalition, and his whole scheme was ruined by the accession of Wilhelm 11. Throughout the whole period of the World War there was au increasing tendency to secure national unity, and since the war the experience of Parliamentary government had strengthened the desire among tlie majority of the people to have done for over with this form of government. These were the mainsprings of the Constitution of Weimar and brought ruin to Liberalism in Germany.