GERMAN PROFESSOR ON THE WAR.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13598, 7 October 1914, Page 2

GERMAN PROFESSOR ON THE WAR.

MAILED FIST MUST GO

A remarkable letter in denunciation of the German Emperor has been written by Professor F. V. Riethdorf,~ of the staff of the Woodstock College, Canada, and a former German soldier. After stating that the quarrel in the present war is not with the German people, Professor . Riethdorf says:— "We must deeply sympathise with, the German people in the sufferings and dangers brought .upon them by their ruling classes, by an.oligarchic, insane, military government. It is the Germany of the 'clenched fist' and the 'drawn sword,' of the 'shining armour' and the 'sabre rattling in the scabbard,' that calls for no sympathy on our part. It is the Germany that has precipitated the monstrous world struggle of the day that fills us all with horror and indignation. lam a native German and a former' German soldier. My own position in this struggle is perfectly clear. My loyalty to.the British flag makes me stand against any and all enemies of Britain. ■ If need be I should even fight against Germany, though with ' a bleeding heart. Furthermore, I desire disaster to the German Army in this way, for the reason that it will mean restoration of, fellowship amoiig the Western nations for one of the greatest peoples of Europe. I

A liberated, free democratic Germany

will start a new and lasting era of pros-

perity, of peace, arm in arm with England and France. Germany's defeat will mean the establishment of a Geriran republic, and the elimination of Wilhelm 11., and all that he stands for. Such things as 'Divine right' and 'mailed fist' are anachronisms, an insult to the intelligence of the people of the twentieth century. William 11. is the common foe of Europe, and he ; must be eliminated. Defeat of Germany in this war means ultimate salvation and freedom for her; Germany will be the greatest gainer through defeat."