IMPRESSIONS OF EUROPE

Southland Times, Issue 23377, 8 December 1937, Page 3

IMPRESSIONS OF EUROPE

GERMAN SOLIDITY COMPARISON WITH FRANCE AND ITALY Interesting reflections on life and manners in France and Germany were included in comments made by Mr Joseph Green, of Riversdale, on his return from an extended trip abroad. Speaking to an Otago Daily Times reporter Mr Green said that these two great countries offered strange contrasts, but that he was most favourably impressed by Germany. France was a great country, but to him, as a casual observer, it did not appear to have the future that seemed to lie ahead of Germany, nor was its importance as a factor in European politics as apparent as Germany’s. One of the great differences between the two nations concerned the manner of life in each. In France the night life buzzed and bustled till dawn. Shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels and places of amusement seemed to have a 24-hour existence. In Germany even the large cities were as dead as the proverbial doornail after 10 o’clock at night. It seemed almost as if a curfew were in force. But there was evidence of a serious purpose behind Germany’s sombre manner of life, the sober, unostentatious garb of the people, and the quiet habits and customs that seemed to be universal. By this he did not mean that the tourist obtained an impression of a repressed and disciplined people. Germans seemed to be working for a definite end and had little time for the frivolities and excitements that were so dear to the heart of the Frenchman. FRENCH BUSINESS French industry and business, Mr Green said, seemed to be flourishing enough, but it was not characterized by the painstaking diligence and serious intent of German industry. Everyone in Germany was working, and working hard. One had only to see the amazing activity on the Rhine to realize that here was a nation wedded to work. Barges, steamers, and river craft of every description crowded the waters of the Rhine in long lanes for miles during the busy part of the day. “Germany is a great country,” said Mr Green.' “It is solid in every way, and one cannot fail to be impressed by its importance in world affairs. I found everywhere an extremely favourable reaction to Britons. If you are a Briton you are looked up to, especially if you have English money to spend. The British pound is literally grabbed, because it is generally regarded as good measure. It can be relied upon and its stability is widely recognized. That applies to every country in Europe, and in other countries too. Even the Arabs prefer British money to any other. The French franc is not popular in Germany. It may be worth something today and something very much less tomorrow, but the pound sterling remains constant and as a result it is eagerly sought.” SAFEGUARD OF WORLD PEACE Germany was not aggressively militaristic in appearance, Mr Green continued, but one saw soldiers everywhere. They were all smartly turned out and looked as if they would be very formidable fighters. They were a fine looking lot of men, with a better appearance and much greater military precision and discipline than the Italians. He was not in the least impressed by Italian military display and show, and had the feeling sometimes that he could'fight a dozen average Italian soldiers himself. Germany, he considered, would be a very bad enemy for any country, and a bad country for Britain to fight with. His travels round the world had left him with the conviction that a British-German-Ameri-can alliance would be the greatest safeguard of world peace. This fact was recognized in all three countries, and it was also agreed that France was the stumbling block. Referring to Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, Mr Green said that he thought H Duce was much less securely established than the Fuhrer. Signor Mussolini was very much afraid of his person. The precautions taken when he travelled even the shortest distances were almost laughable. Herr Hitler appeared to be “sitting much safer” than the Italian leader. Consequently one missed in Italy those evidences o fsecurity. and stability that were characteristic of Germany.