GERMAN DESIGNS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3150, 30 March 1909, Page 4

GERMAN DESIGNS.

At the present juncture it is nut without interest to recall that six years ago a remarkable letter was sent to the leading commercial men in Germany by a German University professor. It began by pointing out that Germany had arrived at the most critical moment of her history, and that the next few years would probably decide whether she would fill the foremost place in the world, to which she was entitled, or sink to the rank of a secondary State. It went on to say: "As all lands worth having are possessed by other nations, we can only obtain colonies by conquest. We have no reason to fear war either with America or Russia, but though we ran defeat either nation we cannot recompense ! ourselves at their cost. Only from Great Britain can we hope to obtain desirable possessions. It is true that her fleet is at present numerically much stronger than ours, but as the size of a fleet is ultimately determined by the wealth of the people we have reason for hope, for while Great Britain is economically stagnant, or rather retrogressing, we are rapidly progressing. Great Britain is industrially and financially decaying, which entitles us to hope that Germany shall be the chief heir when Great Britain has been so far reduced that the final liquidation takes place," As a means of bringing about the commercial downfall of England, the profe&sor suggested that the British freetrader should be assisted in every way, and that a powerful press bureau, disposing of ample funds, should be established in London by the German Government.