GERMAN PESSIMISM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 43, 19 February 1913, Page 4

GERMAN PESSIMISM.

Superstitious pessimism is rife in Germany at this time, according to news paper correspondents. The reviews of the past year’s work and the com ing year’s outlook are gloomy, and even the “North German Gazette,’’ the inspired mouthpiece of the Imperial Chancellor, recalls the dark day. 4 of 1813, and scolds the Germans fo; their worship of Napoleon’s genius displayed in the purchase >of thou sands of, statues and pictures of tho man who a century ago brought Prussia to the dust. Underlying almost the whole of the utterances of tin newspapers and reviews there seem; to be a dismal foreboding that the year 1913 will bring overwhelming mis fortune to Germany. Everywhere, it is further stated, the prophecy of tin. seeress Le Xormand—a lady with quiti a Mother Shipton reputation—is bo ing recalled, and everybody is telling how Prince William, later the first German Emperor, is reputed to hav< consulted this mysterious lady ,ii 182 D, when the prophetess told bin she would answer only four ques lions. “When shall I fight at tin head of my army?” asked the warlike Prince. To this the sybil answered cryptically: “Add 1829. sideways and upwards.” Prince William did so placing the figures 1829 vertically under' the last digit of 1829, and the result was 1819. “When will tin war end?” was the Prince’s next question. “Treat 18-19 the same way,’ was the prompt response, the ealeu lation producing 1871. “When shall 1 die?” asked Prince William. “Do tin same with 1871,” said the sybil, hub eating that the monarch would die ir 1888. And then, we are told, followed the awful question which is giviiq superstitious Prussians much anxiety “When will the end of Prussia come?” Prince William received the same re ply as to his previous questions, 191 ‘ being thus indicated as the fatefu year for Prussia. The first three questions were answered correctly, rtc cording to this fateful story, and rather singularly many good Germanr are overlooking the fact that it wouh be quite possible to frame the ston to fit tho facts after they had hap pened!