THROUGH GERMAN EYES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17913, 19 April 1920, Page 6

THROUGH GERMAN EYES

COUNTRY'S INTERNAL CONDITIONS. AN INTERESTING REVIEW. In tho following article Mr E. K. Peacock, who lias had special facilities for obtdioing lir&t-iiaud impressions ot conditions in Europe, presents a- view of economic conditions in Germany, as they appear to a representative Uurman, Dr Ratnenau:— To give anything Lke a clear picture of Germany past and future it is necessary to disungago oneself irorn. preconceived ideas and prejudices, and enter into some degree oi sympathy with the peoplo and country. In this spirit I liave sought interviews with leaders in various departments of national life, and have lound a readiness on the part of all to talk freely and lrankly with a remarkable degree of courtesy and personal kindness.

J One of the great thinkers and workers in I Germany is Dr Walter Ratber.au, the pre3.dcnt of one ot tile largest engineering concerns in the country, if not in the world. Dr Rathcnuu is doctor of science, doctor of ghilosophy, and an authority of high standing in matters of economics and sociology. He has written several standard works as well as a large number of publications dealing with current subjects, which have had circulations running into half a million. In personality he is a commanding figure, about 5-0 years of age, standing above 6ft in height, of magnificent physique, with massive h&id and close-cropped hair turning grey. • POLITICAL OUTLOOK DIM. In reply to my request for his opinion on the present economic condition in Germany, Dγ Rathenau said it was impossible to separate the economic from the political position, and at the present time that was not known. Germany had been & highly efficient economic country, and was now with most. other countries cngeged in a desperate struggle against the possibility of collapse. * In the past, Dr Rathenau contiiraed, Germany had a system of government quite different from that of any other government in Europe, and he had lor a long time expressed the definite view that that system would ultimately involve the country in disaster. The whole of the Empire's destinies wero in the hands of a few, while the great mass of the peopie were devoted to business and economics, and'refused to study po.it.es. 'iho people were naturally a very trustful people, and relied on their leaders, whom they believed did the best they could. They were, however, bitterly disappointed when they, realised that things were so different from what they had thought. Hard competition between the nations, in his opinion, was the cause of the war. There would have been no war had it not been for the keen commercial competition, followed by diplomatic agitation. Germany now knew what her Government did, but the people had no part in it. There had been a revolution, and the whole system of government had been changed. Previously they were abounding in prosperity, and now they had to try to pay the damages of the war, for which they were really not responsible, except by neglect. THE PRESENT PROBLEM. "The problem to-day," said Dr Rath enau, "is simply a moral question. Was thefro no wrong on the other side? These people thought they were defending their own homes and interests. In the war passions were let loose and stimulated and many regrettable things were done. Now the wax is over nearly a year. and we ought to bo resuming: a calm state of mind,' but the only thought in <some quarters is that of revenge, MjJ)'' e hi reality incidents are still occurring under peace conditions wthich are as bad ae any during the war. They appear to be trying to put Germany in a. lunatic asylum or a gaol. That is not justice, and cannot commend itself to the enlightened , conscience of mankind. It would bo wiser to try to repair the mischief which ha.s been done, and work to getiher for a better relationship among tho nations. "It is impossible to kill a people like the German nation, who are really highly eduoated, broad-minded; and able. Those countries Like the dominions, -which are far removed from tho centee of storm passion, ought to keep their minds clear and cool; to think of the historical reasons which brought about the catastrophe; to see to what extent these have been removed; and ought not to help to try and crusJi a country which, perhaps, was in the wrong, but ignorantly so.

SYMPATHY AND HELP SOUGHT. " Germany is now engaged in a great struggle for social and political reconstruction, and hopes for sympathy and economic rehabilitation. All moral wrongs in historv havo had bad results for those who have been responsible for them. In reply to my suggestion that with 'the extension of the power of the people through democratic institutions, bettor conditions would develop. hb said he hoped so, but the evil effects had penetrated eo deeply that it would bo kmjr 'before we could hope for substantia' improvement. The League of Nations did not hold much hope for him, because in it the 'judge -was party and party was judge" "Not much good could come from such conditions. Most of tho real problems weiv outside- the rangt> of the league. If there was a dispitto about territory th© league might bo able to advise, but if ono country or people had an abundance of the bountier of Providenco and another was impoverished and starving; the fcoaguo of Nations could do nottiing. The league is simply confined to policy, order, and limited jurisdiction, but tho nations will not sacrifice. Tho evidence of the Pbece Conference, where tho most selfish, grasping proclivities -wor© ev j. deneed. does not tfive much reason, to hope that higher moral and self-sacrificing , principles will operate in the ksagno. " In iJio eventual struggle between ]sa.st and West the present ideas cannot last The Peace Conference lias broken up Eraropo into a lot of fragments which will have the effect of e/xtondiner instead of dirainishintr the old Balkan problem. These smal! nations will struggle, and there will bo contirmal fiefhting until eome new consolidation takes place." FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. Asked if he saw apy way of ro-establish-inff financial stability in view of the position to-day of gold being largely eontrolled by one nation, he said, he iuu! never been an admirer of the gold standard. If it were TwssiWo to 'imagine all gold in the world bein" put on one ship, and taikon out to sea ar>d sunk, not one machine would cearc working, not one factory would stop, no crop would cease to grow, no human being wou'd bo. affeoted. nothing would change. , "What of tho future, sir?" I asked. "Darkness for years," was his rerily. "It is a. question of moral conscience ir tho nations, which rmist be awakened and developed. Tho power is passinjr into fVi" hands of the democracies, but it will be long before -they will gain experience and fudJl in goreetzimeßfc, end i&Q transition

period will bo full of peril and anxiety, and it is for people like the South. Africans, Australians, and other new conn trie* to pioneer the way and develop the national conscience and sense of justice. Before the war there was unconoern, during the war passion, now there . should be cool, caim seeking for tbo better moral way. The training of national and international conscience is going to be a long process. PRAISE OF AMERICA. "America rings true and is perfectly sound. Unfortunately her knowledge of European attain is weak, but shra perhaps more than most others is realising the truth of tho interdependence of peoples and nations, and seems to be capable of great national sacrifice. The world as a whole, however, is not yet ripe for any great oxamples along such lines. It will take a long process of education." '' Yea, doctor, but there is education and education. What about German education?" ' DEFECTS OF EDUCATION. "German education has had two arms— one has been long, and the other unfortunately has been too short. The side dealing; with graces, personal refinement, versatility, and such qualities had been tho short arm. Science, economics, technical industry, and the like, that has been tho iong arm. Germany has done great things in science, but our whole education system will be thoroughly investigated and revolutionised; its good pointe will be strengthnned and weak ones developed, so that we hope to give an even greater account of ourselves in the world, and perhaps along , some different lines than we have in the past. These changes, however, can only have effect after considerable rime." So our interview terminated. A referoncra to some of Dr Rathenau's worfes shows that he has the melancholy satisfaction of seeing past prophecy come true, for in 1912 he predicted the world catastrophe of war, in which the great nations, and especially England, would bo involved, and gave reasons which have been deiroEstrated to be sound.