SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1902. CHAMBERLAIN SHEWS HIS METTLE. The Germans Climb Down.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 81, 18 January 1902, Page 8

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 1902. CHAMBERLAIN SHEWS HIS METTLE. The Germans Climb Down.

THE tirade of furious abuse with which the hireling press of Germany, and the baser section of the German Parliament have been defiling the fair fame of Great Britain has suddenly ceased. Their vile and infamous charges against the British Army, and their coarse attacks upon the Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, have come to an abrupt stop. Why and wherefore? The cable man curtly says : "Mr. Chamberlain has practically silenced the German press, whose tone is now temperate and polite, and shows a general desire to close the incident." Just so. • * • But it was not merely Mr. Chamberlain's spirited retort and determined attitude that silenced this Teutonic clamour of hatred and mendacity. It was the rapidly cumulative evidence pouring m from all parts of its vast dominions that the temper of the British nation was fast rising, and that it was not safe to carry the game any further, which produced such a sudden hush in the German Fatherland. There is but little doubt that from headquarters at Berlin the fiat must have gone forth to its well-dragooned press to "ringoff" Chamberlain and the British Empire at once. • • • It was not so much Brummagem Joe's utterances that caused th . yapping crew to abruptly shut up, as it was a distinct perception of the fact that he spoke the voice of a united people, and that behind him a mighty Empire was stirred by righteous anger. The despatch of an autograph letter from the German Emperor to King Edward just at the time the spell of silence falls across the land of sauerkraut tells its own tale • • • Although they don't realise it «s yet, the Germans, by their intense AngTophobia, have been quickening the Imperialistic sentiment from centre to circumference of the British Empire. Colonies and Mothercountry have been thrilled by a co"imon sentiment, and hav3 been brought closer together in the glow of a passionate patriotism. The proud and resolute declaration of Mr. Chamberlain that "the affection and confidence of our kinsfolk across the sea is more important than the goodwill of foreigners" has rung throughout the world, and evoked a responsive echo in every part of Greiter Britain, which cannot be misunderstood. And his significant words, "I withdraw nothing ; qualify nothing," leave him master of the situation.