The significant part of the Chancellor's speech, however, was that
in which he dealt with the relations of Germany to Russia. Here, just as in the time of the South African War, it was an error to be guided in foreign policy by emotions or by party considerations. "He would repeat that they observed towards Russia that benevolent neutrality which corresponded with their traditional relationship to that Power, while at the same time they gave other Powers which were related to them by alliance or by friendship no ground what- ever for legitimate mistrust or legitimate complaint." But the correct attitude of the Government was not enough, and he deplored the inability of certain parties and newspapers to realise their responsibilities. In particular, he denounced the Social Democracy for deliberately endeavouring to prejudice
German relations with Russia, and rebuked the comic Press for the display of a similar bias. "Just as during the South African War its wit had often degenerated into abuse, so it was now heaping scorn and ridicule upon one of the com- batants in East Asia." British readers can hardly fail to contrast Count von Billow's prompt condemnation of anti- Russian bias in the German comic Press with his belated re- pudiation of the wholesale campaign of calumny conducted by the entire German Press throughout the Boer War. A rebuke loses a good deal of its efficacy when it is administered three years too late.
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