Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/111

Rh greatest Powers, but are to rise above, conquer, and supplant them. They are educating their people in this idea, and the idea has already grown into an accepted truth. Neither Emperor, Statesman, nor Socialist can now stay it—the German people are awake and eager. Their day is coming—it is near at hand—they see the writing on the wall.

This is a strong race, a slow-thinking, heavy, ponderous people; not easily roused and moved, but once roused, once fired with an idea, their force is not far from being irresistible. Already they see themselves the Successors of the Modern Roman Empire; they point everywhere to the signs of its decline; they illustrate it by the history of that other great Empire; they are growing stronger, prouder, more arrogant, openly aggressive and boastful. Yet they have their limitations; their ardour is easily damped, their aggressiveness checked, their spirit humbled, if you understand them.

The Roman Empire was built and held by the sword—that is not the case with the British Empire. The Germans, like the people of England, Scotland, and Ireland, do not realise or understand that now throughout the whole globe is scattered in strong, rich communities the fittest of the British Race, growing in numbers, in pride, and in ambition—full of almost pitying love for their Motherland, ready and eager to stretch forth a protecting and helping hand in any hour of stress that comes to her, but sternly determined to guard and cherish for themselves the great lands they, in but a short space of time, have made into practically independent nations. Herein lies the strength and the weakness of the British Empire.

Prince and People, Soldier and Sailor, Trader and Empire-Builder have alike cried. “Oh, wake up! Wake up, old Motherland”—but yet she 6