GERMANY AND ENGLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11659, 25 October 1923, Page 11

GERMANY AND ENGLAND

“GOTT STRAFE" AGAIN

INCREASING HATRED.

A German with whom I have had some conversation assured me, “Tho cry of 'Gott strafe England’ is coming back.” Tliis may be an exaggeration, but the fact remains that the German mental attitude towards this country is undergoing a swift and remarkable change, says a London correspondent. Foreign diplomats and private observers in Berlin agree that German public opinion has turned, The Gerjnaa believes that he has been “let down,” and that Great Britain has failed to “redeem her promisee.” For German diplomacy and the German Press have all those years managed to discover in every act of tho British Government a promise of assistance against France. Nothing that has boen done here, either privately or officially, could destroy this illusion. The Marquis Cuiv. zon and his collaborators, m their conversations with Herr Sthamer, the German Ambassador, have explained repeatedly, and with uncompromising clarity, the real state of aiffiuWT' But all without avail.

It is only now that the German mind is swinging back to an exact comprehension of the situation. The reaction from a great hope unfulfilled may be the most natural explanation for the new “Got strafe England” attitude, the existence of which is now reported from many quarters. The German Socialists nave chosen our Ambassador in Berlin as their pet object for their attacks; they ascribe to him the policy which Herr Guno has so steadfastly pursued all through these months. There is some amusement to be derived from the fact that the hate for England, which in tl\p war was propagated by the extremists of the Right, is now being developed by the moderates, and even more by the extremists of the Left.