Sin,—You published in the Spectator of June 25th, under the
heading of " Our Inadequate Defences," a letter from a correspondent which expressed the view that we might before long expect an attack by Germany, in view of the rapid increase of her Navy. Your editorial note did not altogether endorse this view, but it by no means poured cold water upon it.
On the principle of audi alteram portent, you may like to see the view of a German to whom I sent the letter and note in question. The writer is a man of mature age, a keen observer of politics, and a strong Liberal. He has not been in England, except for a short visit in boyhood; but is well acquainted with English literature, and, as you see, writes a very fairly good English letter. If it is not altogether convincing, it certainly sets forth some views which may be of some comfort and con- solation to your correspondent.
—I am, Sir, &c., AN OLD OXONIAN.
"Another fable is that of the enmity against England and the preparation for a struggle with that country. You will not find one serious man in all Germany who has such ideas, and who will not laugh at such declamations as in the cutting from the Spectator which you sent me. It were indeed time that another Carlyle should speak about Germany to his countrymen. The way in which the Times and other papers speak about Germany now for years is indeed such that every thinking man must feel provoked to answer. It is an undeniable fact that Germany, the greatest military Power, has not fired a shot for thirty years. England, Russia, France, were in the meantime continually at war in some parts of the world, and have added new possessions of the
greatest importance to their former Colonies. France spends much larger sums for her Army as well as her Navy than Germany, and yet nobody thinks that she does so out of enmity for England. That Germany arms herself in the same measure as France should appear natural when the' revanche' is the load- stone for great part of her politicians and most of her officers. The expenditure for the Navy of the United States is much larger also than that of Germany, and the outlay for new ships is in England three times as great : in Russia, America, and France greater than in Germany, so that this country holds only the fifth place (as she does in number and weight of ships also) ; it would be wonderful if her Fleet only should grow in an alarming manner to England.
What cause is there for enmity ? Our Press wrote against England during the war in South Africa, but was not the same done by all Continental papers? And certainly the French papers were more insulting to you than ours. Our largest trade is with England, and do you think that we hope to increase it by war? Or do we want any of your Colonies ? More than half the members of the Reichstag are enemies of colonies under all circumstances, so that it is with great pain that the Ministers obtain grants of money for colonial purposes. And even if a party in Germany were wishing for new colonial enterprise, is there no cheaper mode for getting colonies than a war with the greatest naval Power, which any day may seize our colonies which we cannot defend ? The Dutch have most tempting colonies which are much more easily obtainable, and yet nobody there has fear of our country, which, situated among many weaker neighbours, has never injured them, but proved herself a sincere friend of peace.
Germany has two things to fear. (1) The Socialist movement, one-third of our voters following the standard of Herr Bebel. This movement would grow in case of any war in an irresistible manner. (2) The Panslavic movement in the East and in Austria. Germany is sure to have the Slays on her hands when- ever she engages in war, and France will not keep quiet in that case either. These two dangers are always paramount in our considerations, and secure all other Powers against our breaking the peace except in vital questions.
Excuse my writing so explicitly, but it seems to me the duty of every honest man in both countries to diminish the ill-feeling and the unreasonable nervousness which some people seem to have an interest to excite between England and Germany, who hitherto have had no serious difference."
[The German friend of our correspondent is doubtless quite sincere in his friendly expressions ; and doubtless, also, there are thousands, nay, millions, of Germans who think with him. Unfortunately, however, the course of the ship is determined by the men who hold the tiller, not by the sentiments of the crew or passengers. Of the policy of the men at the helm in Germany there can be little doubt. Has our correspondent's German friend ever seen the mass of anti-British literature described in these columns some eighteen months ago by " Vigilans sed Aequus " ? If not, he should read the little book (published by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co.) in which his articles were collected.—En. Spectator.] NAVAL SUPREMACY.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
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