The Washington herald., 1918-05-03
KAHN OPPOSED
HUN METHODS
Holland Says Fmancier
Has Been Persistent Foe
Of Autocracy.


Otto II. Kahn, who 10 q member OF
one OF the greatest of international
banking houses. has gained q fne
repatation, especially since our en-
trance into the war. by reason Of va
rious addresses he has made which
Have not been exceeded in earnestness
and profound grasp of the fundamen-
tai issues that are to be determined
By the war or In the wide appeal
which the addresses have made to
the American people.
II may be that one Of the reasons
yhv Mr.. Kahn has gained nation
wide reputation for services Of this
kind % to be found In the fact that
ne was born In Prussia, received his
early education there and was brought
IN his immediate youth under the
influences which characterize the mill
tary autocracy Of Germany.
He is able to speak therefore not as
q stranger or as one who looks from
afar upon the contest, but as one VINO
has first-hand knowledge.
He depIores the racial characteristics
which for a generation or more have
distinguished the German people,
spirit which, he believes, has been IN
fused into them by the ruling powers
Of Germany. He recognizes. as Presi-
dent Wilson does, that the struggle
represents upon the one hand liberty
made restrained by enlightened democ-
racy and upon the other hand tyran-
ny skfilfully concealed. as it often
10. by the autocratic methods OF the
German rulers.
: He Is a democrat in the best mean
ing Of that term. looking with COM
plete distrust upon excessive socialism
or the theories which are presumably
adopted by the Bolsheviki.
He believes that the finest proofs OF
representative self-government are
those which have been developed by
the growth OF the spirit of liberty
and the wise control of IT by enlight-
ened democracy in the United States.
Speaks With Conviction.
For these reasons everything which
mr. Kahn now says is heard or read
not merely with interest but with the
conviction that he speaks. with, sin
cerity. profound truths. The most re-
cent address of Mr.. Kahn was made
a day or two ago and referred es-
pecially to the present-day economic
conditions In the United States and
the prospect that this country will find
Itself after the war in a position of
commanding economic potency. To
gain and maintain that position, how
ever. II Is necessary in Mr.. Kahn's
opinion now to begin preparations.
He is one Of those who believe that
in time of war it is the duty also to
prepare for the coming OF peace and
for the situations which may arise
after peace IS established.
ODe of the best stimulants to prepa-
Tations in his opinion Is the develop
ment Of the spirit OF thrift among the
people. A year ago il would not have
been deemed possible for the people
OF the United States within twelve
months to demonstrate that they had
already learned the first lessons in the
school Of thrift. 80 -
But the evidences are plentiful now
that these lessons have ben learned, n
even betng estimated that the savings
- Of the people in the twelve calendar
months Of this year will aggregate
SIS. s.ooo. .0oo. 900. whereas heretofore the
highest figure redched twelve billions.
Mobflising Brain Power.
n6uh - dASO PCTBuoduco IndI
the time Is at hand when the brain
power OF the United States should be
completely mobilized. He said: If
due weight Is accorded to the ex-
perienced and matured Judgment of
the spokesmen Of business, and IL,
while recognizing and respecting the
demands Of progress and of social
Justice. We do not venture too far
into uncharted waters then there is
no doubt of our ability thoroughly
well to meet the situation which will
arrive after the war
Mr.. Kahn is also of the opinion that
Il may be well to take business men
into the Cabinet Of the President, but
without wiving them portfolios. This
Is 4 practice that has succeeded very
well in Great Britain.
what Democracy Has Done.
To Washington have been called re-
Gently men who have achieved won
derfully in the world OF industry and
finance. All Of them have gained high
regulations for character. All are men
OF recognized integrity. But in almost
every case these men began their
careers amid humble surroundings.
Democracy. liberty and justice as
Neu - LuciT dDlilly ana eneTsy nave
made 1t possible for them gradually to
emerge from the ranks until at last
they have gained pre-eminent posi-
tions In industry and in agriculture.
What they have accomplished has
\ been due TO opportunity, to the vast
| development of the United States, to
the prevalence Of justice. supplement-
ed by their own ability and energy.
For this reason Mr.. Kahn believes
that President Wilson would wisely
act IL he were able to delegate to
these men some Of the important
duties. economic and commercial, that
are Involved in the war and that will
come after the war Is ended. Already
q few men Of this character have been
called In this way to the assistance of
the government.
This 10 believed to be one Of the
reasons why notwithstanding the more
or less depressing news, at the mo-
ment at least. which has come from
the battle front in France. the Sc
curities market is undismayed, there
being no sign Of Generalization but
INSTEAD every evidence Of confidence
m the ability Of the United States
through the enthusiasm Of the people
and by the economic direction and
leadership Of men who have achieved
greatly In the world Of Industry. ulti-
mately to put the weight into scales,
which viii determine the war In favor
pf the allies and also determine peace
n accord with the ideals Of the allies
HOLLAND"
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