A dreadful case of cruelty has excited much attention in
Germany. Privy Councillor Koch, director of a leading bank in Berlin, appointed a man named Dippold, who was armed with excellent testimonals, tutor to his two sons. The three lived at Herr Koch's summer residence, away from the parents, who resided in Berlin, and there the tutor is alleged and proved to have indulged the lust of cruelty which evil natures have repeatedly betrayed. He practically tried to flog both boys to death, and with one he succeeded. He nevertheless was not tried for murder, and on his conviction on irresistible evidence be only received a sentence of eight years' imprison- ment. The case would be incredible were we not in presence of incessant cases of cruelty committed on German conscripts by non-commissioned officers. The terrible " educa- tion " of the barracks appears to have brutalised a section of those who pass through it, and to have left its mark upon them even when restored to civil life. The Government, too, sets no very good example to its subjects. For instance, Friday's papers contain the announcement that a boy of fourteen has just been condemned to a month's imprisonment for lese-majeste. • But though we note this evil effect of auto- cracy and militarism run mad, we do not, of course, wish for a moment to represent the Germans as a cruel people, nor do we ignore the fact that England, has been disgraced by several horrible cases of cruelty to children, and cruelty by educated people.
Previous page
