THE GERMAN FEELING

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12734, 2 April 1909, Page 4

THE GERMAN FEELING

Another view of the position :s: s presented by an Australian lady, Miiss Clwissie Smith, who has been studying art in various parts of Europe for about eight years. She has taken up her residence in Timarn, and in an interview sh& gave a Lyttelton Times representative some interesting information regarding the attitude of the German people towards 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)- ehe said that she had always found them very kindly disposed towaTdfe the English. There was no doubt th^t a very keen rivalry' existed between the tw.o countries, lWgety due to the fact that ' Germany threatened to usurp England's sway over the commerce of the world. This feeling of rivalry, however, was not one that would lead to hostilities, and the unfriendly relations that were 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 last year, when very little more would have sufficed to occasion an outbreak of war. On one occasion in particular, Miss Smith afterwards learnt, from a German military officer, the balance trembled very ominously between peace and war. On many occasions the Kaiser had acted very impolitically, and his foolish speeches had greatly incensed his subjects. Mis 3 Smith added that the German Army, which was a magnificent one, was very eager for war, but the people themselves recognised that they had more to lose than had England, and they were anxious to preserve peaceful relations between the two countries. Should war oreak out, she dM not believe that France would be content to remain a spectator of the contest. The feeling about Alsace and Lorraine was Very bitter, and the French would do anything to regain the provinces, wh^le Russia would like to annex German Poland ehould opportunity offer.