The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-09-13
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

An interesting discussion has been go- ing on in one of the heavy English pub lications between two well known Brit ishers as to whether Germans ever were by nature democratic.
 think, however, that before they set tie it satisfactorily to themselves or the public, it may be definitely settled who it was ''who struck Billy Patterson.' But, joking aside. it is of great importance to know that the character of the Ger man nation, if you go far enough back. was originally democratic and kindly and human.
 But at present we all know that such is not the case, but that it is autocratic, rude and ruthless. The Bismarckian pol icy which dominated Prussia and which controls the Hohenzollerns is undergirtl with the idea that might is right and that it is Germany's manifest destiny to rule the world through its military power.
 
 and even before, England and America have been flooded with completely flowing stream of books in praise of Ger man education, and this present war is the legitimate offspring of German kultur as embedded and embodied in it's educa- tional programme as sponsored by the Hohenzolerns for generations.
 For many years in the past iti was a fad among the English and the Ameri- cans to finish their education in Ger many, and not to have done so was to disadvantage, for nothing had so much weight in educational centers as a dl- ploma or a degree from a German uni versity. I know what am talking about, for l fell under it's influence and hot footed it to the University of Berlin, but happily by way of the Sorbonne at Paris and the University of Vienna.
 
 I will never cease to thank my guar dian angel for first dipping me in the pellucid stream of French thought before plunging me into the muddy waters of who came by way of Berlin to Paris and he told me that I had disappoint- ment in store ahead of me. as he felt sure that wouldn't like the Germans. He was prophet.
 
 Saturated with French ideas. and en. amored with French life. it was disap- pointment and a disillusionment to get into the heavy atmosphere of Berlin, where Eaiety was forced. and the ameni- ties of social intercourse were crude in comparison with the graces to be found tend that I ever got into the exclusive circles in either of the two great capi- tals. but no one brought up in the south can fail.to detect.the aroma of good man. rers or miss their fragrance when they are lacking.
 Now, here comes a paradox. The grand manner is always associated with royalty and court life. Aristocrats arA supposed to hover near the throne. but there was something killing in Berlin to that in describable something which gives the true man of the world the hall mark of kthe. gentleman. but writes parvenue on his every act, and makes him act the boor even when trying to be the courier.
 
 l It was not in autocratic Germany, but l in democratic France where the graces had descended upon the people and you | felt it in the salons. the theatres. the hotels. the cafes, and even on the streets and in the stores. But you may say II was heritage which had come down l through generations when royalty ruled and every Frenchman played the gallant, and every French woman was 3 coquette 1 If it be true that at one time in hei history Germany was democratic, she has travelled far and paid . high price in the