The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-17
BY BERNARD rIaCHrR.


 Berlin. Oct. is.--The reason why Grmany does not propose to enter into any agreement with Great Britain for the limitation of naval araments is given in e number of statements pub Iished by the "Deutsche Revue" Lord Averbury states the Brttish case as follows.
 We claim to be . Christian country but If the so-calied Christian nations were really nations Of Christians there would be no wars. The present condi- tion of affairs in Europe Is disgrace to us, not only because 1t Is incompati- ble with common sense. but also be- cause 1t is contrary to every form of religion. There may be excuses for barbarian peoples who settle their quarreis by force, and who are proud to be wariike, but when civiiixed na- tions follow the same course t is both immoral and unreasonable
 The realization of the naval pro- grams burdens both the German and the English nation, necessitates en0r- nous expenditure. and the reiative strength of our forces remains es be- Sore. We have faith in the peaceful as surauces and the expressions or friend. ly feelings which we have received from the German Emperor and his gov- ernment. and precisely because we pc. lieve in those assurances these gigan. tic armamentg appear to us to pc all the more incomprehensible.
 we do not propose disarmament pe- cause that would he Utopian. but we should like to suggest limitation or expenditure for the army. and sfhl more for the navy. maintain mat the responsibility for the present un- happy state of a1airs does not rest with England.
 we have done what we could. We made proposals to the German Govern ment, hitherto without success. We ap- pealed to the aermaD Government to the German ministers of religion, and to the German nation that they shall accept the friendly proposals which England made. and that they shall use their influence in such way that both Governments shall confer to bring about the termination of this absurd injurious, and horrible rivalry in arma- ments."
 Replying to Lord Averbury's state- ment, Prince Liehnowsky, who form erly served in the German Diplomatic Service. and Is regarded as one of the country's coming men. writes:
 We need strong army not only as an educational institution for our young men, but also for the mainten- ance Of our political prestige and our
  army maintains its old standard of ex- cellence. and Is always ready for action, 1t will fulfill it's purpose and prevent war. and I believe that the money ex- pended for this purpose is yell invest ed.
 T do not belong to those theorists who believe that disarmament would increase our national prosperity on the contrary. 1t appears to me tRat disarmament would be the best way Of undermining our economic development.
 '"The most important. and, indeed, noblsst object of our foreign policy is. and will remain the maintenance or friendly relations with England. but do not think that fraternal festivals. however well meant this most delicate of questions can produce much good.
 Rivalry between the two nations Is not due to malicious calumnies or to mere folly. but to the unalterable fact that both countries are the most pow erful factors not only in Europe. but also on the seass of the world. History teaches that there has always been Q certain rivalry between the most pow erfui countries, but that such Tlysirtee do not necessarily lead to war.
 T know that there Is in general 6 tendency to regard the naval question as the most important point Of dimer- ence, and that many believe It Ia pos- sible5 to remove the Anglo-GermaB. feIlz sion by bringing about mutaaia un@ derstanding regarding naval arsments. In my opinion. howevers& desirable as such an agreement would be- the idea that it could offer solution satis- factory to both sides is surely Utopian-
 T do not know how the matter stands at present, or to, what. extent Germany would be prepared to make , concessions, and think that there is no reason why we should avoid an in- formal friendly discussion on the sub ject although at the same time we must not base exaggerated hopes thereon.
 'If it were possible. by means of wise policy which inspires confidence. to reduce the spread of naval construo- tion, and thereby tolessen the burden of the taxpayer, that would be all that can be realized at present. and this suc- cess would be welcomed"
 Vice-Admiral yon Ahlefeld. . dis tinguished officer on the retired list, replies to Lord Avebury in long statemetnt. in the course of which he says: 13
 T believe that all the suspicion of Germany which now exists in England would disappear If England would pur- sue the policy of creating an army which would protect it from invasion.