BRITAIN'S WAY.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 45, 17 July 1915, Page 2

BRITAIN'S WAY.

The Making of Allies

ONE knows that-in the long run Britain will be just even to Germany, for Britain gives fair trial even to murderers. Britain will emerge from the bitter ordeal she is now undergoing strengthened and stimulated, and with clean hands. Britain is incomparably the world's greatest diplomat, but it is not the diplomacy of cunning or breach of agreement or tearing up of "scraps of paper" that gives her the supremacy in the warfare of brains—it is the sijfaple duty of being honest and fair and clean with friend and foe alike." Britain has found it necessary at many times to become punitive, but there is no. record held either within our Empire or without it of any harsh act done to a beaten foe. In every case justice and mercy have followed the fight. Most brilliant of achievements is the incomparable management of Indiana country where problems are commoner than mangoes, and in which enmity has been turned to devotion. You have the spectacle here of a great ruling prince who has insulted the British Raj providing an Indian army to fight for the British Emperor. Germany cannot fight that spirit, for Germany may understand all sciences, but she has no knowledge of rule by love.

It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of the crushing of the German domination " in German Africa. In 1899 German perfidy intended to accomplish by the aid of

the South African Dutch oh ultimate German federation in South Africa. The South African Dutch were hand in glove with the Prussian murderers. The Kaiser, who has since kissed the cheek of British Royalty, applauded! the Dutch in Africa, and the Boer generals were to be his tools. In 1915 the Empire has the amazing spectacle of the excommaasidant of the Uniom Forces leading a composite army of Britons and Boers against the power that supported him in 1899. You have the unparalleled spectacle of the comimander-in-chief of an enemy of 1899 'being Prime Minister of his own country and supreme soldier of the King in his ex-republic. General Louis Botha is a descendant of the old Voor-trekkers who fought like wild cats to hold South Africa against powerful native tribes and against ferocious animals. They had, and still have, a deep love for the country. British dipl«macy, British fairplay, British affection has cured! a wound that would have still been bleedinig had those inconceivable hogs the Prussians achieved the success that was anticipated' in 1899 or later.

Arm chair scatter brains frequently tell John Bull to "wake up" and be as clever as the foreigner. The difference between John Bull and the others is that he is always selfdlejprecatory, and achieves wonderful results without banging a drum. He has fought violently in India, in Egypt and in South Africa and has sown justice and progress andl compensation with the bodies of his sailors and! soldiers. Wherever there is Prussian conquest there is murder, pillage, dishonour and force. The Germans may be able to manage themselves but they will never do anything but achieve the undying hate of the Belgians. Britain entered' this titanic conflict because she was sworn to protect Belgium. She could not save Belgium as it transpired, but she adhered to the time honoured ■methods by which she has achieved Empire the results of which are to be seen in prosperous colonies that once were enemy countries and which now share to the full) the privileges we enjoy.

Reverting to Africa the Germans showed their utter inability to deal with natives when the Herrero tribes woke up and gave the Germans a licking that cost Germany a hundred million poundb and a campaign that weakened German influence in the great continent. German envy of Britain's wonderful power of colonisation is at the bottom of German hate of the British, and although the capture of the whole of the German colonies will' increase the hate, the moral effect will be great at Berlin. The colonial' aspect of this great conflict is likely to be passed over in concentration on the great fights in the conflict, but it is an aspect that is of extreme and vital importance. German intrigue lost General Botha as an ally of Germany and British diplomacy and "playing the game" won him and German Africa to. the Empire. Hand in hand in Africa, Britain and Belgium will right the almost irreparable wrongs suffered in German Africa and the Belgian Congo.