AS A GERMAN SEES THEM

Evening Star, Issue 19764, 14 January 1928, Page 11

AS A GERMAN SEES THEM

VIGHETTES OF BRITISH POIiTIGIAHS AN “OUTSPOKEN” BOOK. Dr Rudolph Kircher, the German journalist, publication of whose volume of pen pictures of British politicians lias been postponed because some of tho author’s comments are considered too outspoken, told a Press representative in London that he hoped a way would be found to get over the difficulties that had arisen, and that they would not seriously delay publication. Dr lurcher is London correspondent of the ‘ Frankfurt Gazette,’ and the book is entitled 1 Rowers and Pillars.’ “ After all, there is no scandal in the book,” he said. “There are no spicy revelations. It is a straightforward attempt to interpret the British character through the personalities of some of your best-known public men to the people of Germany, and I cannot believe that any of the personalities who figure in my book would be so thinskinned as to resent anything I have said about them. “ In any case, the book has been in circulation for over a year in Germany. It has been widely reviewed in this country, and no one has suggested that there is anything in it to object to.” MR BALDWIN. Following are a few of Dr Kircher’a comments on British public men, translated from ‘ Dei Englander,’ the German edition of his hook: — Mr Baldwin—“ It is evident that, like St. Joan, Baldwin has a mission in which he firmly believes. Filled with religious fervor, he bears the banner of England aloft, a St. Joan alive to tho prevailing tendency of the Stock Exchange, and conscious of what ;s practicable in England.” Mr Lloyd George. “Mr Lloyd George can bring forth in a minute more statesmanlike ideas than most of his critics could do during their whole lives. His instinct is unrivalled in England. He is certainly the greatest

and most captivating speaker in the House of Commons.”

Mr Ramsay MacDonald.--” He has a secret liking for many tilings which are an abomination to millions of his present allies. He is a Conservative in practice. His statesmanship is not altogether consistent with his speeches.” Lord Birkenhead.—“To men of tact and nobility he often appears as nothing more than a clever analphabete. _ Still, he is a political power. He terrorises.” “ AN ETERNAL BOY.” Mr Winston Churchill.—“ He is an eternal hoy. He plays with enthusiasm, preferably polo, about which he understands least. That, so people say, is his fault; he will do things about which he knows nothing, and chiefly as a statesman." Viscount Grey.—“ His personality is a living proof that an encircling policy, such as the people in Germany believed they saw, never existed.” Mr J. H. Thomas.—“ Thomas personifies the highest wisdom of this land. —* Cheer up, old man.’ " Lady Astor.—“ A line type of the fearless Anglo-Saxon. Quito womanly, but unfailing keen in thought and act. No man-woman; no imitation. Wonderfully uncomplicated. No diplomat, but no blue-stocking. Not tremendously intellectual, not even specially cultured. Feminine common sense. Wisdom from the standpoint of the woman. Without rhetoric, almost without the gift of public speaking. But with a ready wit. And. she alwavs has the last word.”