Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-09

it's huge coast line and overseas posses
sions. and the intelligence and eager en-
thusiasm displayed by Germans in all
parts of the empire. And yet these Ger
mans have very little coast line and few
colonial possessions while large numbers
Of them are both by instinct and tradi-
ton the very antithesis of a maritime
people.
Wave Of Enthusiasm.
Nevertheless all are being swept along
at the present time In a great wave Of
maritime enthusiasm. Even the quiet
country folk of the little inland towns
and villages Of the south and east have
been inoculated with the ardent spirit
of the sea rover From Wilhelmshaven
and Emden to farmland Baden and Ba-
varia all are equally kindled with the de-
sire to build a fleet great and powerful
enough-that Is always the measure-to
| bring the proud Englander to his knees
il occasion arises.
AT one time we could count upon the
great bulk of the German people being
but little interested in naval aggrandize-
ment. That has passed Go into the
most sequestered country parts of Ger
many today and you will find one boz
gey-"selfish'' and Jealous" England,
whom their kaiser intends to match
upon the seas, and who, they have been
assiduously taught. is firing Of the com
petition and being overhauled in the race.
have been graveiy Informed of this In
little country inns far from the sights
and sounds of maritime influences.
How has 1t all come about? Well. If
you look round the little country inn
you will learn the secret. On a near ia
bic, for instance, you Will find monthly
periodical called Die Flotte. 1t possesses
circulation larger than all the other
German monthly periodicals combined.
and. being the organ of the German
Navy League, is, of course, virulently
anti-English. These sentiments it car
ries into every cafe, inn. BARRIERS shop
and private house throughout Germany.
and they loosen the purse strings of bur-
CESS and peasant alike.
Large and Influential.
Thus, the Flotte-verein. or Navy
League. has become the largest and most
influential patriotic association in the
world, with something like million men,
bers. a vast income and some 500
branches In Germany alone. In addition,
there are about 100 branches in foreign
countries, of which the German consuls
are generally the presidents, and from
these alone the income equals that of the
British Navy Leagues annual takings.
This is the machine at the back of
Admiral Won Tirp.tz and the firebrands of
the German Welt Polit.k. This It is which
has induced the German people to accept
extension after extension of Their naval
program, and to regard with confident
elat.on England's proposals for reduction
and suspension of ornaments as evidence
that she can no longer stand the pace Of
German competition.
How has this remarkable success been
achieved? In the first place, you will
meet in all the country provinces of the
empire. all the year round, a moving
army of lecturers. with cinematograph
equipment, which brings the life of the
navy inland to the country folk and ia
sity of naval power. So popular have
these lectures become that they draw as
many as 10000 people each month. These
are sometimes accompanied by theatrical
performances setting forth the same
theme. Placards are also distributed
broadcast by the league, showing what
Germany has to put up with solely
through the lack of stronger fleet
above all. the league is devot ng Itself
to the education In Pan-German and anti
British Ideals OF the rising generation in
the schools. To this end I employs lee
lures. -ctures, naval exhibitions and en-
tertainments, VIII lie every year during the
summer 1t superintends and pays for a
visit to some great naval port of 5000
children Of the inland districts The
children. under the care OF their teach
ers, are lavishly enterta ned and conduct
ed over the great warships, the great i'm
perial meaning of all that Is shown them
being carefully explained.
Freemasonry Of Social Glasses.
But the league yields an even more
subtle power based upon a freemasonry
Of social classes, between VIII. ch In Ger
many there is otherwise a ruthless dis
tinction. The league, in fact, is the only
path to social recognition for the great
majority. and has been pushed to a posi-
ton of so much power and influence
through an .roit use of the human
weakness for personal assoc. alton with
aristocratic personages Consequently,
the league has been furn shed with
Pr nee Henry and numbers of mobiles.
high officers. government officials gener-
ais and adm.rals who are prepared 10 ad-
NIT to personal assoc. at on all Germans of
any class, sex, rank, party or creed who
are will ng to co-or crate n the cause of
the league. Furthermore, behind all is
known to be the kaiser. the leagues real
designer. although he IS supposed to have
no active connection with II.
mo wonder that with rhe glamour of
such brilliant associations dangled before
their eyes the German people have raj
lied to the cause en- masse. The year.y
general meeting of the league Is marked
by state dinners in royal palaces and
brilliant receptions. with special per-
formances at the opera, all of which are
exclusively confined to members of the
league who are welcomed from every
corner of the empire.
Recomes Power IN PoN<;c.