5° 



REVIEW OF REVIEWS. 



March 1. 1913. 



through the recognised channels, that few men 

 have the optimistic elasticity of mind and spirits, 

 the demoniac oonfidence in themselves, that over- 

 rides such considerations. 



The duelling at the German Universi- 

 ties Mr. Collier does not himself like, 

 but doubts whether there are not more 

 men injured b\- too much beer than by 



too much swordpla}'. These vigorous 

 sports show the soul is making a slave 

 of the bod}% and courage is mastering 

 cowardice ! — 



" The land of damned professors " has learned 

 its lessons from those same professors so well 

 that it is now ready to take a post-graduate 

 course in world politics. 



IF GERMANY AND ENGLAND FOUGHT. 



WHAT WOULD THE UNITED 

 STATES DO ? 



In the ISational Review for January 

 a writer signing himself " Washington " 

 discusses the relation of the Ignited 

 States to Anglo-German rivalry. He 

 strongly opposes the antiquated idea 

 that the United States has nothing to 

 do with the balance of power in Europe. 

 He says the danger lies in the disposi- 

 tion of German and British i>eoples 

 rather than in commercial or colonial 

 antagonism. He says that the risk to 

 the German monarch}- of a war is ver\- 

 great. France is no longer the hostage 

 for England. 



A PILL FOR LORD ROBERTS. 



It is interesting to have this testimonx' 

 from an American observer : — 



In the eyes of experienced observers, the Ger- 

 man Arm.y haa deteriorated in recent years, and 

 the French has comniensurately improved. Xow 

 that the latter is no longer honey-com1)ed by dis- 

 sension its still-existing superiority in artillery 

 and its iievv- development of aviation give it cer- 

 tain advantages over the greater numerical 

 strength of Germany. For the first time also 

 since AVaterloo England is able to throw a mili- 

 tary force of consequence on Continental soil. 

 The six British divisions of professional soldiers 

 equipped for foreign service and ready for early 

 mobilisation are to-day a fact which Germany 

 cannot fail to consider, and which should con- 

 tribute towai-d I'emedying any inferiority in men 

 from which France would suffer. 



This paragraph may be recommended 

 to Lord Roberts and his troupe of panic- 

 mongers. " Washington " discusses the 

 three possible results of Anglo-German 

 war. (i) British victor)' would least 

 affect the existing status, so far as 

 America was concerned. (2) A German 

 victory would be fatal to the British 

 Empire. Canada, if attacked by vic- 

 torious Germans, would appeal for 

 American protection — an appeal which 



could hardly fail to awaken generous 

 response. (3) A protracted war without 

 definite result would create much diffi- 

 cult}- for the United States. " It is ques- 

 tionable if any American Government 

 could long tolerate the embarrassment 

 caused by the extended continuance of 

 hostilities in near waters." Otherwise a 

 great impetus would be given to Ameri- 

 can trade, if onl}- America had a mer- 

 chant marine. " Washington " suggests 

 that the question of neutrality of the 

 Caribbean might even be broached b}- 

 diplomatists in time of peace. 



WHY NOT DEFINE U.S. POLICY NOW ? 



" Washington " grows more positive 

 as he advances. He says it would 

 liardl}- be wise statesmanship for the 

 United States to remain passive if Eng- 

 land should be by an}- series of disasters 

 crushed : — 



Even though the immediate consequence would 

 be to throw Canada and the British Antilles into 

 the lap of the United States, it would leave the 

 latter confronted by an Empire supreme on land 

 and sea, and would force it to pursue a prepara- 

 tion of armaments which for its own preserva- 

 tion could not be inferior to what it miglit ))e 

 called upon to face. Great Britain, by upholding 

 the European balance of power, has contributed 

 toward American development. If misfortune in 

 arms await her it would be as politically unwise 

 as it would 1>e ungenerous to allow her to suffer 

 unduly. A disastrous defeat inflicted by an op- 

 l>onent unwilling to use moderation in his victory 

 should invite on the part of America a friendly 

 mediation which in the last extremity might have 

 to be couvetted into more effective measures. 



Tiie reader ma}- be pardoned for 

 thinking that the more reasonable and 

 effective course would be to make the 

 certaint}- of this eventual intervention 

 clear before hostilities began. A de- 

 fijiite announcement of that kind might 

 even pre\ent hostilities breaking out at 

 all. 



