Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-30
KipIina on Germany.

When England joined hands with
Germany in the matter Of collecting
debts in Venezuela it took step which
has proved most unpopular with the
English people. AS the result of that
alliance the feeling is growing, right
ly or wrongly, that the government OF
the crafty Kaisar IL doing it's best to
involve England in a quarrel with the
United States. The English people
are not anxious for more warlike
operations at present, and they fear
that the activity of the German fleet
in Venezuelan waters, particularly the
San Carlos incident, will involve them
in complications from which an escape
will not be easy. Great Britain has
formally recognized the Monroe doc
trine. but it has not been recognized
by the German government which,
however. has not dared to violate it.
If Germany has any designs upon
American territory it would be a mas
ter stroke of diplomacy for Emperor
William to bring about a misunder-
standing between England and
America on the subject of the Monroe
doctrine Many English editors and
public men do not hesitate to express
their belief that this is his purpose in
inveigling England into an alliance on
the Venezuelan matter.
No doubt Kipling's vigorous poem
1.-The Rowers" has greatly stimulated
English sentiment in this instance.
Since his famous verses caricaturins
Russia under the name of Adam Fad,
the bear that walked like man,
Kipling has made no more vivid i'm
preston on the reading world than in
this scathing reference to the Angle
German pact regarding Venezuela.
Say what we will about the propriety
of the poet meddling in politics, the
fact remains that in this powerful
satire Kipling is at his best, and it is
easy to see how it's publication has
aroused English resentment against
"the Goth and the shameless Hun
who were almost openly hostile during
the Boer war. No man living writes
such virile verse as Rudyard kipling,
and as this poem has been but little
published in this country we give it
here entire.
The banked oars fell an hundred strong
And backed and threShed and ground
But bitter was the rowing song
AS they brought the war-boat round
They had no heart for the rally and roar.
That makes the whale-bath smoke
When the great blades cleave anu hold
and leave
AS one on the racing stroke.
They sang: What reckoning do We keep.
And steer her by what star,
Il we come unscathed from the Southern
deep
To be wrecked on Baltic bar?
Last night we swore our voyage was done,
But seaward still we go;
And ye tell us of secret vow
We have made with an open foe!
That we must lie off lightless coast
And haul and back and veer
AT the Will of the breed that have
wronged us most |
For year and a year and year.
There was never a shame in Christendie |
They laid not to our door
And We say we must take the Winter sea
And sail with them once more?
Look South The gale is scarce o'erpast |
That stripped and laid us down.
When We stood forth but they stood fast /
And prayed to see us drown.
The dead they Knocked are scarcely cold.
Our wounds are bleeding yet
And We tell us now that our strength is |
sold
To help them press for debit
Meath all the flags of all mankind
That use upon the seas,
was there no other fleet to find
That We strike hands with these?
OF evil times that men could choose
OF evil fate to fall,
What broodng judgment let We loose
10 pick the worst of all?
In sight Of peace-from the Narrow Seas
Ger half the world to run
With cheated crew, to league anew
with the Goth and the shameless Hun,