Evening star., 1934-04-08
BY WELDON LLOYD.

|HE rise of Hitler to the office of
chancellor of the German Reich
in January. 1888, has once again
L turned public attention toward
that age-long feud-if not actual
hatred-between France and Ger
many. The least-learned person in
the world readily knows that French
and Germans had bloody affray in
1870. Their titanic contest for power
and supremacy in 1914-1918 is still
within the memory of all of us.
What is the origin of that heredi-
tary enmity between these two great
nations? What is the cause of that
constant irritation, that incompatible
ity which keeps them in such ten
sion bordering on war? Why should
public feeling between them be in such
a constant state of unfriendliness?
Are there any serious differences be-
tween these two peoples which make
them hate and mistrust each other?
Germany protests loudly against
French intrigues. France protests
loudly against Prussian bad faith. Is
there any possibility now or in the
near future that France and Ger
many, both issued from the same
ancient Frankish empire Of Charlie
magne, could ever learn to understand
and like each other?
For those who are not deeply versed
in historical matters, the antagonism
between France and Germany is a
question of vague speculation. To the
general public it seems that French
and Germans are so far apart in
racial origin, language, religion and
customs, that any smoothing OF their
differences or any approach to some
kind of mutual understanding and
friendliness would appear as remote
as the millennium. Today, the intel
lectual and political antagonism has
been so intensified that as Goethe said
toward the end of his life, never
again will a French or a German
think alike.
Popularity of Nations.
We are all aware of the various
peculiarities of temperament among
nations. For whoever has Travelled
across the confines of foreign coun-
tries, it is not difficult to notice the
peculiar characteristics of other peo-
pie so different in manners and
speech. However, it is idle as well as
foolish to dwell on that popular con-
ception of national superiority. An
outward diSsimilarity does not neceS-
sarily mean a sign of inferiority.
The American, for instance, has al
ways criticized his English brother for
wearing a monocle and spats, al
though spats-but not monocle just
yet-are becoming more and more In
favor in the United States. The Amer
ican woman finds her English sister
un-stylish, which may be true. The
Englishman does not like the way a
Frenchman ties the napkin round his
neck when he is eating. To him it
looks as if the Frenchman is going to
have a shave instead Of dinner, al
though to the Frenchman the habit
has proved itself practical for keeping
soup and sauce off his collar and vest.
The Partisan woman glorifies her
taste and slenderness over her sister
across the Rhine. On the other hand,
the Frenchman does not approve very
much the way a German addicts him
self to so many heavy meals per day
with plenty of sausages and beer. For
those who have been to Russia, they
often wish that the Russian would
stick the tail of his shirt where it be-
longs rather than letting it hang out
of his trousers. All these idiosyn-
crasies seem to antagonize some
people more than others, and that in
compatibility seems to stick through
out countless generations without
knowing exactly why.
Yet, If we were to scan the history