Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1916-05-19
EN0l Mo AND GERMANY.

quotes from the NOuHu d Die Vi |
November, 1910, as follows:
THE central fact in the inter
national situation today is the
antagonism between England
and Germany"
1t is the origin and growth
of this antagonism which finally
led to the great war that forms
the theme of Mr.. Schmitts book.
To treat so broad subject in
one volume is no light task, but
the author has succeeded in pre-
lsenting the main problems Of his
subject in clear and Interest,"
ing manner, going into detail
where necessary, but not being
| led astray into discussion of
the innumerable side issue,
however interesting these may be.
At such time as the present,
when feelings run high on both
sides and preiudices are prone to
warp our reasoning, 1t
is hard to obtain a fair, unpreju.
diced view of the subject. One
is not surprised, therefore, when
first glanciug at this book to
find that the author is undeni-
ably prejudiced in his personal
views Before getting far in the
book, however, it is evident that
he has not allowed this Partially
to distort his sense of historical
| Judgment and justice, but that
he has endeavored to make the
facts of the case, rather than his
Town deductions therefrom, form
the readers opinion. 1t appears
to be the partially Of one who
has become further stepped IN
his initial prejudice, the more
thoroughly he has studied the
subject.
While the book is defense of
1.-The British case and at the same
time a severe vet dispassionate
indictment Of Germany, it does
not contend that all the right has
been on one side and all the
wrong on the other. 1t freely
admits that Great Britain's at
titude has not always been friend
lily to the aims and inspirations
lof Germany, but argues that
much the greater share of the
lprovocation came from Germany
and that the English position
Twas essentially defensive. The
Ianthor may not give conclusive
Iproof of a German conspiracy to
| provoke war, but he has at least
Iset up a case which cannot be
demolished with ease.
i One of the most noticeable
| features of his book is the man.
| ner in which Mr.. Schmitt has
made use of references and quo.
tations. The book abounds i'll
lengthy quotations, taken from
!. | the most varied sources and from
!. authorities on both sides of the
point in question. The same
may be said of his references
with which he supports all i'm.
Iportant facts and deductions.
i Indeed the book should be OF
value to the casual student of the
subject, if for no other reason,
| for the extensive photography
as given in the many quotations
aud references.
| MI. Scirnitt discusses the var
iious phases of rivalry between
1.-THE two nations. He analyses in
order Germany's tremendous
commercial expansion without
1.-THE necessary corresponding CO.
lonial expansion and the result
ling competition with England
For the markets of the world !;
next in turn he takes up the rise
lof German navy and consequent
increase in British sea power.
the profound differences in the
English and German ideals and
institutions, and the mutual po-
litical suspicion generated by all
OF the above and fed upon I'M
reasonable fear and mutual igno-
rance of one another, till war re-
suited.
Most people have fixed respon-
sibility for the war upon one ma
ton or the other, but, even
among those who are of the same
opinion in this respect, lively
discussions occur as to just what
was the root of the whole con-
troversy. In his effort to pick
out one particular circumstance,
instead of an inevitable combi-
nation of such, as the primary
cause of the trouble, the author
Iaopears uncertain ; at one time he
hits upon England's friendship
with France, at another time,
u