If Germany Wins

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIII, Issue 15710, 17 December 1915, Page 4

If Germany Wins

LEVY OF £4,000,000,000 ON BRITAIN London,' November 2 Professor M. E. Sadler, vicechancellor ef Leeds University, in a reimarkable speech, discussed the fate of England in the event of a German victory. He said: ‘‘ If the Germans should win* they would levy on the United; Kingdom a stupendous fine bf' no less than four thousand million pounds. To secure the payment, they would occupy, the country with an armed force, take control of? the Imperial Treasury and the financial system, including the banks, and proceed to realise on their claim.

‘VThetr -first step would be tb get as much indemnity as possible by a levy on our possessions,’ . to • seize merchant shipping and transfer the whole to the German flag. All coal mines, . and other valuable deposits would be confiscated. “ The British Museum and National Gallery would be stripped of their treasures, private collections of pictures, books, furniture, china, bronzes and jewels would all be seized. ‘‘Every private bank, balance would he commandeered and all securities taken over without** hy compensation. The railways and other means of communications would be forfeited. ; /,..■■ “ Germany would also control the Customs and postal service. What remained unpaid 'Would be raised'by . taxation imposed under German direction and enforced by German arms.”