110 SECTIONAL ADDRESSES. 



German. Now although my argument hitherto has rather endeavoured 

 to show that the transfer of territory from one State to another on 

 purely economic grounds is seldom to be justified, it is equally indefen- 

 sible to argue that two States which are geographically and ethnically 

 related are not to be allowed to unite their foi-tunes because it would 

 be to their interest to do so. And that it would be to their interest 

 there seems little doubt. Austria would still be able to derive some 

 of her raw materials and foodstuffs from the Succession States, and she 

 would have, in addition, a great German area in which she would find 

 scope for her commercial and financial activities. Even if Naumann 

 were but playing the part of the Tempter, who said * All these things 

 will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me, ' he undoubtedly 

 told the truth when he said ' The whole of Germany is now more open 

 to the Viennese crafts than ever before. The Viennese might make 

 an artistic conquest extending to Hamburg and Danzig. ' But not only 

 would Austria find a market for her industrial products in Germany, she 

 would become the great trading centre between Germany and south-east 

 Europe, and in that way would once more be, but in a newer and 

 better sense than before, the Ostmark of the German people. 



The absorption of Austria in Germany is opposed by France, mainly 

 because she cannot conceive that her great secular struggle with the 

 people on the other side of the Ehine will ever come to an end, and 

 she fears the addition of 6,500,000 to the population of her ancient 

 enemy. But quite apart from the fact that Germany and Austria 

 cannot permanently be prevented from following a common destiny if 

 they so desire, and apart from the fact that politically it is desirable 

 they should do so with at least the tacit assent of the Allied Powers 

 rather than in face of their avowed hostility, there are reasons for 

 thinking that any danger to which Frnnce might be exposed by the 

 additional man-power given to Gennany would be more than compen- 

 sated for by the altered political condition in Germany herself. Vienna 

 would form an effective counterpoise to Berlin, and all the more so 

 because she is a gi'eat geographical centre, while Berlin is more or 

 less a political creation. The South German people have never loved 

 the latter city, and to-day they love her less than ever. In Vienna 

 they would find not only a kindred civilisation with which they would 

 be in sympathy, but a political leadership to which they would readily 

 give heed. In such a Germany, divided in its allegiance between Berlin 

 and Vienna, Prussian animosity to France would be more or less 

 neutralised. Nor would Germany suffer disproportionately to her gain, 

 since in the intermingling of Northern efl&ciency with Southern culture 

 she would find a remedy for much of the present discontents. "When 

 the time comes, and Austria seeks to ally herself with her kin, we 

 hope that no impassable obstacle will be placed in her way. 



The long and as yet unsettled controversy on the limits of the 

 Italian Kingdom illustrates very well the difficulties which may arise 

 when geogi-aphical and ethnical conditions are subordinated to con- 

 siderations of military strategy, history, and sentiment in the deter- 

 mination of national boundaries. The annexation of the Alto Adige 

 has been generally accepted as inevitable. It is frue that 



