GERMAN UNREST.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12628, 26 November 1908, Page 4

GERMAN UNREST.

Herb Rohrbach, the well-known writer on political questions, has just published a book on Germany's position in the world, which is the occasion of a remarkable article in "Die Post." According to the "Post," Germany at the present moment is in the same state of ferment which characterised her in tho years from 1882 to 1884, those years, namely, when she acquired her extensive colonial poses6ions. From the German nation rises a voice that the people are not satisfied with things as they are. This voice says that Germans are too many on a too limited area, and cries out for opportunities of expansion; more elbow room. Germany is different from other European Powers, says this article. It is not satisfied to take up a secondary position like Italy and Austria-Hungary; it is not rotten financially like Russia; its population does not remain dangerously stationary like that of France. The sun of the future smiles on the throe great Germanic nations, Great Britain, the United States, and Germany; but to secure Germany's promising position the writer urges that she must have a strong flest. He suggests that as Germany's fleet is only in the building, and will be quite ten years before it is of use, it is, of course, only prudent to avoid every conflict with other Powers. "It would almost appear as though in recent years Germany had become a sort of Cinderella among the other nations, or, like Schiller's poet, had arrived too late on the scene." The "Post" states that, according to Dr. Rohrbach, Germany's African, possessions will only be able to support a white population of 100,000, but Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and Southern America still offer numerous possibilities. Something must be done if Germany's population, which wi'l shortly roach 80,000,000, is to be adequately cared for. Lot us, however, be patient, advises the "Post"' which concludes: Who thought of Schleswig-Holetein and Alsace-Lorraine in 1860; who of African, possessions embracing over 2,000,000 square kilometres in 1884? A nation with a history of 2,000 years, with an upward tendency, can wait until the ripe grapes fall at her feet. Everything is ready. It is only necessary that German leaders keep their eyes open and miss no opportunity of seizing the chance when the time comes.