WAR PROPHESIED.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 118, 16 May 1912, Page 5

WAR PROPHESIED.

BETWEEN GERMANY AND ENG-

LAND

TO OCCUR NEXT SPRING

£FEOM Otlß OORRESPOKUKIvr.j

CHRISTCHURCH, May 15

Within the last few days there was in ChYistchurch . a Continental business man of German parentage who is at present on a tour round the world, and who, in a series of tajks with a well-known importer, made some alarming statements as to the nearness of war between Germany and England. The gentleman referred to is in a favorable position vo know what is going on, and he is neither an alarmist nor a crank, says The Press.

"You take it from me," he said! to his Ohristchurch friend, "that there will be war between' Germany and England in the spring of next year;

that is, the English spring." "What makes you come to that conclusion?" he was asked.

"Absolute knowledge of the facts," he replied. "Germany has been preparing all this time, and war will take place, and there will be a terrific struggle."

"But why should a war take place?" he was asked, "seeing that England.'is at peace with all the world, and maintains her big fleet only to preserve that peace. Why should! Germany need to arm herself and provide hostilities?"

"Those in high official.,circles in Germany1," he repliedj "think they see, in the British Empire one ready to be got for. the grasping, they are making ready for the spring." •• ''But what would occur, even if war were ,to happen?"; ;he was pressed. -.•''■•■,• ■ • .;'■'; •; ■■..'■" •':''.; :

j - '.'My-;- own opinion," he . said, "is tha;t Germany could not win,-but in the struggle she would send half the British fleet to the bottom of the 'North Sea.".,: ;; ... ; u-:^:-.- ~• ■ r In further conversation the; Oveir seels, visitor said that the people of Germany did not care one way' or the other. It was those in high official authority who wanted to make the great dash, to bring glory to the nation and make it the predominant world power. He agreed that England should have become more aggressive years ago, and should .have warned Germany that the lay-; ing down of another keel would be regarded1 as an act of war. That would have been ' playing the : bully, but it would have been most effective to stop further additions to the German fleet: However,' the fleet had grown, and it was too late.nmv tn do '.anything, of that,; sort.' England would now1 have to meet' Germany on much Jess favorable" terms than would have been the case a few years ago.