Current Literature
Dr. von Kuhlmann, who was an Attaché in London before the War, and acted as German Foreign Secretary in 191V-18, is a moderate and experienced man whose Thoughts on Germany (Macmillan, 10s. 6d.), skilfully translated by Mr. Eric Sutton, deserve attention. On Midsummer Day, 1918, lie infuriated Liidendorff and gave much encouragement to the Allies by . declaring in the Reichstag that " it would be impossible to end the War merely by a military decision without any diplomatic negotiations." He was expressing the pessimism engendered by the Austrian defeat on the Grappa line and by the Austrian Emperor's evident wish to make peace on any terms ; and to the Allies, troubled by the reverses of March, April and May, his words brought new hope. That incident is recalled by his remark that " the Great War was a war for the liquidation of Austria," and that this was the most important problem which faced, and was ignored by, pre-War Germany. Austria " was a slowly decaying State in which an intensifying principle of nationality had implanted the seed of death." In trying to uphold her, Germany was ruined. The author, while in London, was thought by the Emperor to be unduly Anglo- phile. He helped to negotiate those colonial agreements which were virtually complete on the very eve of war and had, as he says, much improved Anglo-German relations. Tirpitz's naval policy seemed to him entirely wrong—as indeed he hinted iu a despatch of January, 1912, which infuriated the Emperor, and ' which is printed in the Grosse Politik. Dr. von Kiildmann warns his countrymen that they will fmd no relief from their present ills in either Fascism or Bolshevism. They must avoid any measure—such as a restoration of the monarchy— which would " arouse mistrust abroad and make our position in Europe uncommonly difficult and dangerous." He hopes for a reconciliation even with France, the secular foe. If Dr. von Kiihlmann's reasonable views are widely shared in Germany, we may look with confidence to the future of Europe.
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