"
I told them this story: A man in New York was speaking the other day to
Count von Bernstorff, the German Ambassador. Count von Bernstorff was
endeavoring to prove to this important personage that England had forced
the war upon Germany out of jealousy of her trade competition. "Sir,"
said the American, "you really must not tell me that, and I advise you
not to tell such a tale to other Americans. For we know very well that
we are greater trade rivals of England than you are, and that, in spite
of that fact, here on this continent of America we have got 3,000 miles
of British frontier without a fort or a gun." He then said to the
Ambassador: "No, Sir; your mistake all through has been in making an
enemy of England when your best interest was to make friends with her.
If you had made friends with England, you would have got all you
wanted." To this accusation, I understand, the Ambassador made answer
that Germany had endeavored to make friends with England, but had been
repulsed. We have a different record in England. The American quietly
reminded the Ambassador of the fact that England admits German goods
free of tariff charges.
Pages:
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535