German Feeling Toward Britain.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12508, 8 April 1909, Page 2

German Feeling Toward Britain.

An Australian lady (Miss Smith), who has . been residing in Europe for about eight years, has. taken up her residence in Timaru, and in an.interview she gave a "Lytteltoh Times'', representative some interestving information regarding the attitude of the German people toward- England. During the past five years Miss Smith-resided in' Berlin, ; and she came into contact with a number of ■ people - occupying" important -positions. ; Speaking from.; her personal experience of the Germans, she said that, she had always found them verj r kindly disposed, towards the English. There was no; doubt that a very keen rivalry existed between the two countries, largely idue. to. the fact that Germany threatened to- tißUrp England^s sway over; the, commerce - of the wprlds T& 8 feeling of rivalry, howerer, was not- pne tihaf wpuldlead to hostilities, and tne.unfrjeniqily relations thatwere supposed to exist at the present time were'the outcome^ of the agitation of the Press of both countries. _ Germany had been on the ' verge of war many, times, particularly during the disturbances in -Morocco SaWyear, when very little more would: ;have sufficed to occasion an outbreak of war. On one occasion in particu— , ]»r, JVfiss Smith afterwards learnt f rotn a Ggrman. military officer, the balance trembled very • ©minpusly between peace and. war. ■ _ On'many occasions i ■the Kaiser has acted very impoliticalV \ ly,; and . His foolish ■" speeches :: had greatly incensed his subjects. Miss , ;Smith.added that the German army, i which was a magnificent one, was very ' eager for war, but the people- them- t selves recognised that they had more j to lose than had England, and they '<■ were anxious to preserve peaceful relations. between the two countries." J Should war break out, she did not be- £ lieve that France would be content to. j remain a spectator of the contest. The 1 feeling about Alsace and Lorraine was., very bitter, and the French would do j •anything to regain the provinces, j while Russia would like to annex Ger- g man Poland should opportunity offer, t