We feel that we cannot leave the visit of the
German editors without a word of protest in regard to what we deem the undue importance attached to the effect of newspaper writings on foreign relations. It is, in our opinion, pure clap-trap to say that it is editors who produce wars, and the hostile feelings between nations which end in wars, and that if only the Press could be suppressed, Governments would never dream of infringing the rights of their neigh- bours. The tiutb, unpalatable or not, is that such diSagree- ments between nations come only from the policies of rulers and Governments. To be perfectly frank—and frankness is a duty on such an occasion—it is the action of, and policy pursued by, the German Government during the past ten years that have caused strained relations between Britain and Germany. The part played by the Press in either country has been very small. It has never been an originating cause of ill- feeling. We do not at the present moment desire to argue that the action of the German Government has been unwise, or con- trary to German interests, or, indeed, anything but inevitable, granted that the rulers of Germany intended to pursue a particular policy. We simply wish to state what we hold to be a fact. To saddle the German Press with the responsibility would be most unfair. Again, it is idle to expect an improve- ment in our relations with Germany merely through more kindly leading articles. It is the ruling class in Germany who must show the way. If they will do that, an emollient Press will soon follow on both sides of the German Ocean.
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