ARMAGEDDON AND AFTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2707, 11 January 1910, Page 2

ARMAGEDDON AND AFTER.

A SOCIALIST ON THE GERMAN WAR SCARE. (Robert Blatclvford, in the “Clarion.”) Several of the exasperating!}' benevolent persons whose fraternal interest in their fellow-creatures overpowers their interest in their own affairs have written to ask me why I went to Germany for the : ‘Daily Mail.” I went for two reasons. Firstly, because 1 wanted to go to Germany ; and secondly because the “Daily Mail” asked me to go to Germany. Under similar circumstances I would go for the “Daily Mail,” or the “Daily News,” or “Punch,” or the “Times” to India, or China, or Peru. But why did 1 want to go to Germain'? For two reasons, again. (1) I. wanted to see Germany. (2) 1 wanted to see the- Germans. And it seems to me a most natural and proper thing that I, who have so long been trying to convince my own countrymen that there is danger of a war with Germany, should wish to see the country and the people about whose politics I have so often written, 1 mention these matters because 1 am going to return to the subject of the war danger, and because my visits to Germany have let in new light upon mv mind.

Those who deny the danger of an Anglo-German war declare that the British people have no desire for war, that the German people have no desire for war, and that we who insist upon the presence of the war danger are really helping to make war possible. 1 admit the two first arguments and deny the third. I am more than ever convinced that the British and German people do not desire war; I am more than ever convinced that there is a real and growing danger of war. I said my visit to Germany had given me new light. It has. I can sec, or think I can see, not only that the German people, have no desire to attack us, but also that they do not believe that their rulers intend to embroil them in a quarrel with us. I believe that the majority of the German people regard all our warnings as a mere baseless scare. I am convinced that the majority of the German people are mistaken, and that they will be plunged into war without their knowledge and against their will. I like Germany ; 1 like German cities; and I like the German people. But I believe that the rulers of the German people are deliberately and cynically preparing to hurl them into a wicked and a desperate war of conquest. I believe that nothing short of a miracle or a. lucid interval on this side of the North Sea can avert that immoral and dreadful catastrophe. The Germans cannot prevent that war, because they do not believe it is coming. The British could prevent that Avar if, before it is too late, they could be really convinced that it is coming. That is why I want to convince them that Avar is coming, because I want to prevent that horrible war. Why, our opponents blandly ask, should Germany make Avar upon Britain? What has caused most of the Avars recorded in history? Ambition and greed: the lust for wealth, and power, and glory. What do the German rulers want? They Avant to dominate Europe; they want to become the greatest Avorlcl poAvev, the greatest empire on the silly old earth. That has been the dream of Babylon, of Persia, of Greece, and Rome, and Spain, and Russia, and France and England. Domination, wealth, glory, Caesar ism, Napoleonism, Bismarckism! The Mailed Fist! The German rulers have behind them a certain section — I knoAv not lioav large—of the German people: the Jingo section. It was one of this section Avhose AA'ords A. M. Thompson quoted in his article on Berlin—the young man aa'lio said that if England forced war upon Germany the Germans would smash our Dreadnoughts.

When I was at Rothenberg I sat one evening in friendly talk Avith three Germans and one Englishman. These men Avould not believe that Germany is preparing to force Avar noon Europe. The Englishman, an artist, has lived happily in that beautiful old German town for ton years. To him, as to the Gomans present, the idea that Germany Avould Avantonly attack Britain seemed too wicked to be true. Yet I left these men more serious and anxious than I had found them. Here AA*ere three Germans and tAvo Englishmen in friendly talk. We Avere all friends; A\*e' Avere all Socialists; avc Aver© all Clarionettes; Are Avere all comrades, avc Avere all lovers of reace and haters of-violence and greed. And w r o Avere full of anxiety because a gang of criminal statesman whom avc had never seen Aver© preparing to set our countrymen at each other’s throats.

There is my Prussian friend, Pumnernickel, as good a Socialist and as good a- pal as I. have met; he cannot prrwent his rulers from making his people and my people deadly enemies. I cannot prevent it. Tlio men I met and admired and liked in the champs and cafes and houses of Wurtemberg and Munich and Berlin are to be driven by a creAV of criminal lunatics into »a bitter and senseless Av*ar Avith our people, so that the Germans may humiliate and dominate and exploit the British and French. My interpreter, aa'lio travelled with me through Germany like a younger brother, is coming to AA-ork in England. My English comrade, the Lancashire artist, avlio treated me and Pumpernickel like old and dear friends, has bought a house in Rothenburg, and means to Iwe and die there. And avo are all to be “enemies,” for wdiat and for whom? For the vainest, rottenest, most criminal craze that ever cursed mankind: the bad old craze, the mad old craze— Empire! The “National Defence Magazine” ♦for October quotes from an article which appeared in the “Standard” tAvo years ago—that is, in July, 1907. As a clear and frank statement of the Ger-

man Imperialist 'Views this passage 1 is Avortli reproduction . here: —

“German policy,” writes Regierungsrat Martin, “does not iioav aim at mcorporatng the Baltic provinces of Russia and Russian Poland in the German Empire, nor does it aim at bringing about a clqscr relation between Austria-Hungary. German policy does not aim at establishing a German protectorate over European and Asiatic Turkey, nor at the addition of Holland and Belgium to the Federal German Empire. Nevertheless, all these changes will take place in our own time, within the next twenty or thirty years, and no •one in Germany Avill be able to arrest the inevitble trend of events. Germany AA'ill achieve her destiny without consciously pursuing these aims.” England, having realised that Germany Avill be driven by the course of events to expand in this direction and to this extent, and perceiving the extraordinary progress which the Germans are already making toAvards a AA'orld supremacy in commerce and politics, has adopted the deliberate policy of hampering German expansion at every possible point. Germany, declares the author, will not Avait until she is attacked or until the anti-German coalition is in a better position to dictate terms to her. She will strike out at the first sign that her interests anti her national honor are menaced, and France Avili he the victim of her wrath. “Unhappy France!” ho exclaims. “The British Navy'may destroy the German Fleet, and ruin the German foreign trade, but nothing on earth can prevent the German Army from over-running France, from Paris to Lyons, and from the English Channel to the Mediterranean. The French are laboring under a dangerous delusion if they suppose that Germany Avould be satisfied Avith an indemnity at the termination of such a Avar. Germany would take permanent possession of the Northern provinces of the French Republic, thereby gaining access to the sea at Calais and Boulonge, Avhile Belgium and Luxemburg would be annexed to complete the triumph of the Teutons.”

There wo have it stated Avith brutal candour. Germany is to have Austria and Hurgary, the Russian Baltic Provinces, Denmark, Holland, and Belgium, European and Asiatic Turkey, and the Northern provinces of Franco. Then the Kaiser av i 11 have many more now uniforms, and the little French boys and girls Avill learn their catechisms in German, and Germany AA’ill be the workshop of the world, and the British Islands will become a pleasure resort for all the opulent big noses in the Fatherland. "What glory ! What a “Teuton triumph!” But the criminal lunatics avlio hoodwink and govern the German people mean it. At the present moment the German rulers are straining every nerve to get ahead of the British in naval power. There is no cessation of the Avork. The Avliole power of the German Government is being used night and day in order to make rapid and complete preparation for this wanton and criminal attack upon France and England. How anyone can doubt tin’s for an instant in the face of recent eA-ents is more than I can understand. Germain* is ready to attack France any day, because France is not regard, od as capable of repelling the attack. Germany will bo ready to attack us as soon ms her rulers think they can heat us. There is no pretence of morality, nor of justice. The motive is greed and ambition ; the means AA'ill be Avholesale murder and loot. As soon as the German rulers are ready—and they are getting ready ns fast as they can. The danger lies in the ignorance' of the British people. If avc could only make our people believe Avhat is taking place the danger Avould be averted. But the British public stare blindly at jhe facts, and vow they do not exist. Wellmeaning men keep talking of a better understanding Avith the German people. The German people arc not unfriendly to us. They do not know what ingoing on ; they do not believe it. They Avill be dragged int-o tlio Avar as avc shall, and then it Avill be too late. Our Government seems to be acting feebly. They are depending upon a number of alliances. The nation which depends for its defence upon other Powers is lost. There is yet time, by bold and strong measures, to avert the danger. But Avhere are the men capable of the necessary action? Our people are ignorant, divided, reluctant to make any serious effort or sacrifice. Our rulers are timid and suspicious. And the danger grows greater and draws nearer every day. What Britain needs at the present time is-a MAN. But avc seem to have nothing but doctrinaire reformers and politicians. Ts there any British statesman big enough, honest enough, brave enough to tell the British people the truth?

An old, old devil lias got himself unchained. The deA'il of lust of poAver is arming himself for yet another horrible campaign of blood and plunder. And we are quarreling about Tariff Reform, and the Budget, and Votes for Women, and Avhether Grayson shall sign the constitution.

My good friend Pumpernickel anl I are not happy; aa'g do not Avant to fight. We do not Avant a German or a British domination of the earth. Wo Avoulcl rather work for the establishment of the United States of Europe. But who Avill listen to a pair of Socialist cranks? Well, Avhen the Avar is over and the Jack-booted Prussian officials have got the AA'hole of Europe learning the German goose-step, I shall go to Berlin and open a tea-shop. And Pumpernickel and I Avill go a-hunting. Can anyone toll me the German for tally-lio ?

ner of any hurdle race of the value of 50 sovs. after declaration of weights to carry 31b. extra; of 100 sovs. 51b extra. One and three-quarter miles. Oven seven flights of hurdles. 3.,FIRST COUNTY STAKES HANDICAP, of 00 sous.; second horso to receive 10 sovs. from stake. For all horses bred in the Counties of Cook, Waiapu, Waikohu, and Wairoa. Six

furlongs. 4. TURANGA STAKES HANDICAP, of 200 sovs.; second horse to receive 10s sovs from stake. The winner of any race of the value of 50 sovs after the declaration of weights to carry 31b extra; of 100 sovs 51b extra; of 150 sovs 71b extra; of 200 sovs 101 b extra. One and a-quarter miles. 5. MAIDEN SCURRY, of 50 sovs; second horse to receive 10 sovs from stake. Minimum weight Bst. Win ners on the flat at any time barred. Four furlongs. 6. TELEPHONE HANDICAP, of 70 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. Five furlongs. 7. FIRST HACIC FLAT HANDICAP, of 50 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. Winner of any previous race 51b. extra. One mile. 8. FLYING HANDICAP, of 85 sovs.;. second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. The winner of any race of the value of 50 sovs. after the declaration of weights to carry 71b. extra; of 100 sovs. 101 b. extra. Six furlongs. SECOND DAY. To Start at 12.45 p.m. 1. STEWARDS’ HANDICAP, of 80 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. Seven furlongs. 2. SECOND HURDLES HANDICAP, of GO sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. One and a-half miles. Over six flights of hurdles. 3. SECOND HACK FLAT HANDICAP, of 50 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. Seven furlongs. 4. SUNDERLAND STAKES HAi\iJlCAP, of 150 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. Winner of the Stewards’ Handicap to carry 51b. penalty. One mile. 5. MAIDEN SCURRY HANDICAP, of 50 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. Winners on the flat at any time barred. Winner of Maiden Scurry first day entrance money returned. Five furlongs. 6. SECOND COUNTY STAKES HANDICAP, of 60 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. For horses bred in the Counties of Cook, Waiapu, Waikohu, and Wairoa. One mile.

7. PUBLICANS’ PURSE HANDICAP, of 75 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. The winner of any previous race the same day to carrv 51b. extra. Five furlongs. 8. FAREWELL HANDICAP, of GO sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. Winner of the Stewards' Handicap, Sunderland Stakes, Publicans’ Purse to be re-handi-•l Seven furlongs. DAI .'S O NOMINATIONS, ENTRIES. '(HITS, ACCEPTANCES, and AMOUNTS, to be forwarded to the Secretary, at the Club Room, Masonic Hotel, Gisborne. Nominations.-—SATURDAY, 15 January, 1910, at 9.30 p.m.: First County Stakes (no acceptance) lsov., Turanga Stakes lsov., First Hurdles 1 sov., Flying Handiec,, }. sov., Stewards’ Handicap lsov., nd Hurdles lsov., Sunderland Stakes lsov., Publicans Purse lsov. Entries (No Acceptance) SATURDAY 22nd Januairy, 1910, at 9.30 p.m.: Welter Handicap lsov., Maiden Scurry lsov., Telephone Handicap lsov., First Hack Flat lsov., Second Hack Flat lsov., Second County Stakes lsov., Maiden Scurry Handicap lsov., .Farewell Handicap lsov. Weights.—FßlDAY, 4th February, 1910: Turanga Stakes Handicap, First Hurdles Handicap, Flying Handicap; THURSDAY, 10th February, 1910. at 8.30 p.m. (Night of First Day’s Races): The whole of the Second Day’s Events. Acceptances.—First Day, SATURDAY, sth February, 1910, at 9.30 p.m.: Turanga Stakes 3sovs., First Hurdles Handicap lsov., Flving Handicap 305.; THURSDAY. 10th* February, 1910, at 10 p.m. (Night of First Day’s Races): Stewards’ Handicap lsov., Sunderland Stakes 505., Second Hurdles lsov., Publicans’ Purse 30s. D. R. DeCOSTA, Secretary.

8. PARK STAKES HANDICAP, of 70 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. Nomination 205., acceptance 20s. Distance seven furlongs. SECOND DAY. Friday, 4th February, 1910. (To start at 12.45 p.m.) 1. SECOND HANDICAP HURDLES, of 70 sovs; second horso to receive 10 sovs from stake. Over seven flights of hurdles. Nomination 205., acceptance 20s. _ Distance one and three-quarter miles. 2. MAIDEN SCURRY HANDICAP, of 40 sovs.; second horse to receive 5 sovs. from stake. For horses that have never won a race except the winner of the Maiden Scurry first day, which shall be eligible. Entry 20s. Distance five furlongs. 3. ELECTRIC HANDICAP, of 60 sovs; second horse to receive 10 sovs from stake. Nomination 205., acceptance 20s. Distance five furlongs. 4. LADIES’ BRACELET HANDICAP, of 50 sovs. First horse to receive a bracelet value 40 sovs.; second horse to receive a bracelet value 10 sovs. Gentlemen riders. Minimum weight 10.7. Horses to be nominated by ladies. Entry 20s. Distance one mile. 5. HARDING MEMORIAL HANDICAP, of 110 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from- stake. Nomination ‘2os., acceptance 40s. Distance one mile and a distance. 6. SECOND COUNTY STAKES HANDICAP, of GO sovs.; second horse to

receive 10 sovs. from stake. For horses bred in the Counties of C.u||>, Waiapu, Waikohu and Wane*. Jf ruination 205., acceptance 20s. fp tanco seven furlongs. 7. SECOND HACK FLAT HANDICAP, of 45 sovs.; second horse to receive 5 sovs. from stake. Entry 20s. Distance six furlongs. 8. FINAL HANDICAP, of 70 sovs.; second horse to receive 10 sovs. from stake. Nomination 205., acceptance 20s. Distance seven furlongs. DATES OF WEIGHTS, ACCEPTANCES, AND AMOUNTS TO BE FOR WARDED. Weights—SATURDAY, loth January, 1910: First Handicap Hurdles, Flying Handicap, First Hack Flat Handicap, Gisborne Racing Club Handicap, j First County Stakes Handicap, Welter / Handicap, Park Stakes Handicap; THURSDAY, 3rd February, 1910. at 8 p.m. (Nignt of First Day’s Races): The whole of the Second’s Day’s Events. Acceptances.—WEDNESDAY, 26th January, 1910, at 9 p.m.: First Handicap Hurdles 20s, Flying Handicap 20s, Fir.st County Stakes 20s, Gisborne Racing Club Handicap 40s, Park Stakes Handicap 20s; THURSDAY, 3rd February, 1910, at 9 p.m. (Night of First Day’s Races): Secsnd Handicap Hurdles 20s, Electric Handicap 20s, Second County Stakes 20s, Harding Memorial Handicap 40s, Final Handicap 20sH. E. DODD, Secretary.