BRITAIN’S WEAK POINTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3720, 4 January 1913, Page 4

BRITAIN’S WEAK POINTS.

Herr Mariano Herggelet, a German who lias resided in Britain for some fifteen years, lias written for the delectation of his countrymen "a book entitled “England’s Weak Points.” His criticism of British national character is drastic. He asserts that the average Briton never reflects or considers, never troubles to alter anything until it is too late to do any good, never keeps an engagement unless it has to do with amusement or, sport, and never does anything to-day that ho can possibly postpone, until tomorrow. “According to German ideas,” he says, “there are in the whole of England only 150,000 really capable men.” In public administration Herr Herggelet finds much to deplore. “The State,” he says, “possesses neither its own schools, railways, shipbuilding or other yards, forests, estates, properties, spas nor watering places. Even the telephone system \Yas until recently in private hands. The State actually contents itself with the management \of the army, the navy, the public funds and the postal service. The towns do not possess their own gas, electricity, means of communication (though progress is being made in this respect), slaughterhouses, hospitals, or auv such establishments, but leave them to such as hope to make a profit by them.” Britain’s foreign policy also falls under the lash of Herr Herggelet’s, who says that Sir Edward Grey, “filled absolutely with envy, hatred and malice towards Germany," took as the motto of his whole policy “Down with Germany!” and shrank from no sacrifice of British prestige that would bring him nearer his goal. Herr Herggelet confidently phophecie? that in the next fifty years the British Empire will bo dismembered, and Britain’s national existence will depend upon the . gracious clemency of Germany. But Herr Herggelet, after this prophecy of doom, relents somewhat, and admits a. few good points in the British character, the ground work of which, he says, consists in gentleness, good nature, forbearance, long suffering, endurance, generosity, affection, lovcableness, unselfishness, and a wealth of confidence and goodwill towards everyone.” Herr Hcfisgulst’s book appears likely to place a very severe strain upon these beatific attributes.