The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-08-06
R. E. BENNINGTON ON
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
Some Vivid Impressions of Con-
ditions as Seen by Missis-
sippian.


jackson merchant who has just re-
turned from Europe gives an inter-
esting resume of the impressions re-
ceived while in England, Scotland,
France. Belgium and Germany.
''The future peace. of the world
absolutely depends on the closest
possible cooperation between the
English-speakfng peoples" says Mr..
Remington.
''If 1t were not for Great BAitain,
all Europe would be afiame with war
today" continued Mr.. Remington.
1T is only the sturdy courage,
strong determination and splendid
diplomacy of England that has kept
down hostihties.
THE one outstanding thing that
impressed me during the trip was
the desire of Scotland and England
for closer relations with the /peo-
pie Of the United States.
"In England / found most of the
people willing to give the United
States just measure of credit for
our part in the war. In Belgium
the people frankly admit that we
won the war; that but for our help
victory would have been impossi-
BILE. In France, however, the peo-
pie are emphatic in declaring they
won it, and they give mighty
little If any, credit to the American
army.
II left home with the highest
possible opinion of the French peo-
pie, and about the lowest possible
opinion of the Germans. come
home with a mighty poor opinion of
the French, and amuch better opin-
ion OF the Germans.
"The militant spirit is too strong
in France. Despite the fact that
she is a nation but recently rescued
from destruction, her people are rea-
dy and willing to go to war again.
There is entirely too much worship
at the tomb of Napoleon, too much
militarism everywhere in France.
1T has been only the very plain
talk given to France by Lloyd George
and other British statesmen that has
kept France out of war in recent
months. When one sees the grim and
determined purpose of the British
people to prevent resumption of
war in Europe, it isS impossible to
withhold admiration.
"The people of Germany are de-
pressed" he says. There is no doubt
on that point. They are depressed
but not in state of despair. Ev-
erywhere they are at work with dog
ged courage. Even the women and
children are at work in the fields,
and they seem to realize that the
only way they can get out of debt
is by hard unremitttng toil-an ex-
ample that other nations would do
well to emulate.
Conditions in the Kaiser's form
er realm are getting back to normal
slowly. The food problem is still far
from good. You cannot get pure
wheat bread anywhere, and butter is
scarce, even in the best hotels. How
ever the countryside is well kept,
everybody appears busy. and indica-
tions are that there will be a fairly
good crop.
"The German people have pot lost
their efficiency. Berlin is the clean
est city / saw in Europe, but citi-
zens told me that it is not nearly so
clean as in the days prior to the
war.
''The feelings of the German peo-
pie are not difficult of analysis. They
are quite frank about it. They have
a bitter hatred of the French and
likewise of the English. Any Ger
man will tell you that he is sore at
America for coming into the war, but
the feeling they display is not ha-
tired.
Il talked with many intelligent,
well-educated Germans, and, without
exception they told me that it was
the speeches and writings of Wood
row Wilson, translated into their own
language, and put across the lines
during the war that broke the mo-
rale of the German people and
brought about the overthrow Of the
Kaiser.
"As to the Kaiser coming back
that is stifl an interesting subject
of speculation. Perhaps 35 per cent
Of the German people would like to
see him restored to the throne. This
is chiefly the military element. The
masses, however, are bitterly op-
posed to 1t and it will take a re-
markable coup d. etat to bring it
about.
ut is significant that in Ger
many they have substituted English
for French in the public schools. 1t
used to be that the teaching Of
French was compulsory. Now 1t is
English.
"The German people as class, are
more interested in getting back
their lost commerce than in cher
ishing grievances or venting their
hatreds. They do not express them
selves on information questions. un-
less asked to do SO. In France 1t is
just the opposite. Nearly every
man you meet wants to tell how
sore he is towards Germany"