MR. BONAR LAW AND GERMANY. [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.] SIRS Mr. Sonar Law is reported as having stated with reference to the recuperation of Germany that this country had nothing to gain by it " because that country (i.e., Germany)
was very much mare of a competitor than she was a customer." This statement of the Prime Minister has been widely circu- lated throughout the Press, and coming from the head of the Government it is likely to have a far-reaching effect on public opinion throughout the country. Its immediate effect will be to create a feeling of indifference and lethargy with regard to the future of Germany, and in fact, in some quarters, to be welcomed as indicating that by washing our hands of the whole business we were getting rid of a formidable competitor.
I believe the statement of the Prime Minister to be only partially right, and that on the contrary the recuperation of Germany would be of immense benefit to this country. It is true that her recovery would certainly mean that she would be a competitor for a share of the world's trade, but the direct and indirect benefits which would accrue to our trade and commerce from the prosperity of a community of over sixty millions of human beings would far outweigh any loss which might be felt through competition in other markets. Mr. Bonar Law is not alone in holding his opinion. In fact, it prevailed in many quarters before the War, and certainly helped to lessen the feeling of opposition to what the War would involve when that calamity overtook us.
It is not a question of what we sell direct to Germany. If Germany is prosperous, and is able to purchase a large quantity of wool from Australia, for example, that increases the pur- chasing power of Australia, and she in turn is enabled to purchase an increased amount of Bradford and Manchester goods from us. The hurt of one nation means the hurt of all, and the good of one nation means the good of all. The recuperation of Germany does mean, therefore, a gain to this country, a gain to France and a gain to the world. The contrary state means a loss to this country, a loss to France, and a loss to the world.
It has taken a great many people a longtime to realize that in this country, and we have therefore need to be patient and not hastily blame France. Time is a great healer, and the scales will fall from all eyes in due time. Meanwhile, I venture to support the suggestion of Mr. Hughes, the Secretary of State for the United States Government, that we should proceed by way of an International Financial Commission. If France declines to take part, I would suggest that her place should be kept open, and that the Commission shoukl proceed without her. There is no time to lose. We have over a million unemployed, and an improvement in trade is the only real remedy for the present distress. Considerations then, first moral and secondly economic, all point to our giving to the suggestion of America our most enthusiastic
support.—I am, Sir, &c., D. M. MASON. 8.1 Queen's Gate Gardens, London, S.T1'. i.
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