THE CHANGED GERMAN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 November 1925, Page 5

THE CHANGED GERMAN.

AMENDING BROKEN FORTUNE. SIR lAN HAMILTON’S VIEWS. ‘ ‘Because of the psychology of the German, 1 regard it as a matter ol extreme urgency that we should no longer lump good and had Germans together; and treat the whole nation as a pariah dog,” declared Sir lan Hamilton in the eoufise oh a. convensaffion. with 'Mr. Harold Begbie, the well-known journalist. “There is a changing consciousness in Germany,” continued the soldier. “The bitterness of defeat, the desolation of their former prosperity, and the indignation which the educated classes not unnaturally feel at the treatment they have received from the Allies ever -since their Revolution ami the Armistice—these feelings are now merging into consciousness of their strength and power. The ijeiil lies in this, that Germany’s consciousness of strength and- power may outstrip oar generosity.” “Let me ask you a question,” said Sir lan, later. ' “Can you recall one single incident since the war in which our statesmanship has discriminated between the peaceful and the warlike German, between the good German and the bad German? The years slip away, and trade begins to get upon its feet. “The discipline of that mighty nation, which fills me with respect, will achieve a unity in all its ways, industrial and political; with that, the unity of over 80,000,000 people, the statesmen of other nations, whether they like or not, will have to reckon. .Nothing can stop the progress of an intelli-o-eTit and disciplined nation. Ho; v much safer we should feel in Great Britain if all our classes manifested their patriotism by an intelligence and a discipline as devoted as the Geiman s. “The whole future of the world.- 1 am convinced, will be dining the next few months. It will turn upon the temper in which the Germans regard the- British people. That- thej wifi solidly and vigorously restore their broken fortunes no one, acquainted hvith Germany can doubt, for a moment. The question for us, then, is simply this, are we to work together in a friendly understanding ivith a Republican and industrial Germany, or are we to stand apart and see a Hohenzollern spirit creeping back as a iorm of patriotism to restore the offended self-respect of the German peopled It may bo difficult for us to ac-t, although I cannot see why; but clear as tlie sun in the heavens is the fact that unless we do act, generously and sincerely, without* patronage and without fear, it will soon be too late.”