GERMAN TRIBUTE TO THE BRITISH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3131, 21 August 1922, Page 2

GERMAN TRIBUTE TO THE BRITISH.

"The reception of a German in England, beginning with the Customs and passport officials on landing, the hotels, and so forth, is correct and polite in every respect." This tribute to British courtesy to a former enemy is paid by a. German industrial magnate who has just returned from his first visit to England since the war, and has published his observations in the Yossische Zeitung. "Even a year age," be continues, "an ex-enemy was separated from the other passengers by a wooden barrier on landing in England and detained for a considerable time until two officials conducted him to an isolated room •whore he had to undergo a detailed questioning concerning the purpose of his visit. It was not unusual then for a person to be refused admittance to the country even when possessed of a passport visa from a British consulate. To-day the passport inspection and a short interrogatory take place in the ship; a police registration is required only after arrival in Loudon. No difficulties will be encountered during a visit lasting up to four weeks. "To-day a German can find accommodation in all the hotels. Not only in hotels, but also in public places which I formerly frequented and in which my nationality was well known, ! received a courteous, often even a friendly, welcome. 'You have not been here for a long time, have you?' was tho only comment on the interval since my last appearance. "The Zeppelin raids on London have enormously damaged our relations with the English business world. For that reason connections with English firms cannot be formed or resumed easily, except when the German prices offered are considerably lower than Bnglish prices. Even with his former best friends, a, German business man will have to exercise the greatest tact and delicacy, avoiding every political allusion, in order to sell his goods."