ANGLO-GERMAN RELATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4304, 13 March 1901, Page 4

ANGLO-GERMAN RELATIONS

The acceptance by the Kaiser of the position of a Field-Marshal iii the British Army lias had some influence upon public opinion in Europe, For some time the relations between Great Britain and Germany have been, more cordial than they were four years ago, when “made in Germany” was'deemed,a by-word and a reproach. Since then, Russia and France have in somel respects excited the ill-will of the British, the ; former by her aggressiveness in the Far East, and the latter by her coquetting with Kruger, as well as by irresponsible threats of an invasion of Great Britain. On the other hand, certain sacrifices have been 1 mad© by Germany in favour of Great Britain, and these considerations Save doubtless all influenced the British in honouring the KaisCr. The Continental newspapers are making the most of the appointment. The Paris “Temps’' discovers in it considerable political importance. If it. be true that “one touch of nature inaKOS the whole world kin,’’ it is still more certain that a common sorrow .or a common joy i

effaces many misunderstandings, ond tends to bind more closely existing friendships. So the Parisian journal goes the length of asserting that British statesmen have cleverly used the national feeling and the incident of the Kaisers being honoured to notify to the world, including the Boers and their friends, that there! is an intimate union oi the two Royal Houses, of the two Governments and of the two countries.

The conclusion arrived at by the Parisian paper already quoted is that- “there is something very significant and of enormous purport in the enrolment just now of the German Emperor in the highest rank of the army which is engaged in crushing the defenders of the South African Republics/’ “La Libcrte,” another Parisian journal, goes furthek. It .distinctly asserts that “an Anglo-German alliance offensive and defensive exists.’ Its existence is still regarded, however, as a secret, although both Sovereigns discussed the opportuneness of publishing the fad at the inauguration of the new reign. The belief is that the British monarch was anxious for its avowal, but the Kaiser is said to have hecin desirous of 'breaking the news gently to the Fatherland. That, at all events, is the French view. In the political world of Italy the rapprochement between King Edward and the Kaiser is regarded with warm approbation. Among Italian statesmen it is hoped that the union of the two Sovereigns will bring about still closer relations between the two Governments. This is not a new wish. One of the objects of Italian diplomacy has always been to see England adhere at least morally to- the Triple Alliance. In Germany, if we are to regard the opinion of the press of Berlin as being indicative of the sentiment of the nation, the honour conferred on the Kaiser is “gratefully received'as a further demonstration of the friendliness existing between two great jieoples.”

The comments of the Russian press are excited and hitter. The “Svot” rocs ir the new appointment and in tho presence of Gorman ships at Spithoad dh-| tinct evidences of tho existence of an: Anglo-German alliance. “It is now clear,” observes tho Russian newspaper, “that Mr Kruger was not received ui Berlin because Germany stood in need of an alliance with Great Britain, in order to assume a predominating position in the, Balkans, in Asia "Minor, and in tho Far; East. Wo wish Germany nothing but; what is to heir advantage, but only so long as her advantage involves no loss for us. The question whether the AugloGerman rapprochement threatens to causa injury to Russia can, however, only be answered in the affirmative.'' Other Muscovite'organs manifest their chagrin by speaking of the alliance as “a panaceafor sick England.’' In turn, Germany is severely criticised by the Russian press, and attempts are made to depreciate the work of the Kaiser’s soldiers in the pacification of China.

A spirit of retaliation is shown by the, Germans, who reftort by expressing the. utmost contempt for the administration, of the Czar. “It is impossible,” exclaims the “Ivreuz Zeitung,” “to find a spot.in Kussia where the peasant is not sighing. ’ Russia, it declares,, would do well to pause for a while in her policy in China in ordelr to settle her own house, and after that is done it will ha time enough for her to mix in the concerns of other nations. It is evident that the compliment paid to the Kaiser, by Great Britain has touched a respon-j sivd chord in the hearts of the Germanpeople. That it has not done so in the case of France and Russia is, from a Bri-j tish point of view, rather in its favour than otherwise. Whetncr the people of j Europe are justified in attaching so- much importance to thei paying of compliments need not be discussed. Straws indicate' how the wind blows. That Britain should stand on good terms with Germany is desirable. In tTie matter of a defensive and offensive alliance both nations nr,'-5 admirably equipped to support each other. Such an alliance, toe, would do more to keep in check Russian aggression than the doubling of the British Mediterranean and China squadrons. Time and circumstance can, alone, however, prove the stability of any AngloGerman alliance.