DYNASTY V. DEMOCRACY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15191, 11 April 1917, Page 4

DYNASTY V. DEMOCRACY.

Commenting about six weeks on the wonderful response by the people of j3ritain and France to the appeal for funds wherewith to carry on the war, the New York Times says: —-Germany, too, is on the eve of asking for more money, but it is not possible to anticipate the result. The latest news of the fifth German loan is the most authentic indication of how German finance contrasts with that of her opponents. Sh<3 has borrowed marvellous amounts, considering the difficulties of her trade. With inconsiderable access to resources outside herself, either for war or finance, Germany has borrowed about twelve billion dollars, but not with increasing ease. Her last loan showed a decrease, according to German accounts, of 1,469,669 subscribers. The decrease was all below those takiug 20,000 marks. Germany Las done wonders, too, but she has not sustained the fighting edge of either her soldiers or her workers. "All that discipline can accomplish has been done. There never has been a mightier demonstration of wha't leadership can produce from followers. But also there is a complete demonstraton how far a dynasty falls below democracy as an inspiror of the people who are the supports both of empires and republics. It is not surprising. A dynasty thinks first of itself. A democracy thinks also first of itself. Both are selfish, but the morals of any people are superior to the morals of any dynasty It would be a libel upon the German people to say that their morals are those of their leaders. It would bo a world disaster if the morals of the leaders of the Germans should prevail over the morals of the English a.nd the French. There is a saying that God is on the side of the strongest battalions. There is better reason to suppose that God is on the side of the soundest morality. Every American should wish the right to prevail, and should wish to be on the right side. It is agreeable to add that most of us expect, as well as wish that right will conquer. The contrarv is a hideous thought. Millions would have died, and fourscore billions have been spent, not only in vain, but with the i*esult of confronting us with a similar 1 trial.