World Miscellany

France’s Fear of Germany Like a Tiger
France regards Germany with the same dread one would have for a tiger or a wolf. Despite Germany’s crushing defeat, France remains deeply apprehensive. It has secured control over the Saar coalfields, established an independent state on the left bank of the Rhine, dismantled the Siegfried Line fortifications, supported Poland’s independence to hem in Germany’s eastern frontier, and aided Czechoslovakia’s independence to block its southward expansion. Even when German Austria sought to unite with Germany, France did not hesitate to undermine the principle of national self-determination and obstructed this union by every means possible. Moreover, France has worked tirelessly to curtail Germany’s colonial holdings and its military capabilities across land, sea, air, and space. A substantial portion of Germany’s merchant fleet was also handed over to impede the recovery of its overseas trade. Yet even these measures were deemed insufficient; France further appealed to Britain and the United States for protection. According to a recent telegram, President Wilson signed an agreement before departing France, pledging that the United States would come to France’s aid should it ever be attacked. Similarly, Lloyd George, acting on behalf of Britain, executed a treaty of identical nature. How profound and how bleak is such a development! Were it not for some grave, unspoken weakness within France itself, why would it harbor such fear? The French nation has long been renowned for its spirit of boldness and courage—how could it possibly resemble women and children, anxiously begging others for protection? I believe this does not bode well for France.

The Content of the Peace Treaty
General Smuts stated: “I signed the peace treaty not because it is a satisfactory document. It was necessary to sign it merely to bring the war to a close.” He further remarked: “There is no mention in this treaty of a new life, of the triumph of humanitarian ideals, or of people’s aspiration toward a new international order and a better world—none of the hopes we once cherished find expression here. Only a genuine renewal of righteous spirit and humanitarian sentiment within the hearts of nations can truly resolve the complex political dilemmas that have bedeviled the peace conference.” He added, regretfully: “I am particularly disappointed that the treaty’s prohibition of militarism applies solely to the defeated powers.” As a British military figure and one of the signatories to the treaty, General Smuts’s post-signing remarks offer a clear indication of what the treaty actually entails.

A Secret Japanese–German Pact
A Reuters dispatch from Paris reports: “Once again, rumors are circulating about a secret Japanese–German pact. What exactly is such a secret agreement? Are there still those who dream of concocting clandestine arrangements among nations? And what, precisely, would a Japanese–German pact entail? The Russo–Japanese secret agreement, revealed by Lenin’s government, not only failed to materialize but also brought great disgrace upon Russia. The Anglo–French–Japanese pact, however, did come to fruition, placing our Shandong province in grave danger. Rumors of a Japanese–German pact surfaced repeatedly as recently as two years ago. It is said that in 1917, Germany allegedly granted Japan free rein to dispose of Dutch colonies, including Java and Sumatra. Upon learning of this, the British government promptly informed the Netherlands, thereby thwarting the plot. We must recognize that Japan and Germany have repeatedly attempted, yet persistently failed, to engage in such underhanded dealings. Their lust for scheming shows no sign of abating. So long as Japan’s militaristic regime of warlords and ronin persists, and so long as Germany’s Ebert government remains unreformed, as long as these two rogue states continue to collude, dangers will continue to abound.

Politicians
General Smuts observed: “Only the true will of the people can resolve the intricate problems confronting the politicians at the peace conference.” Why do the genuine aspirations of the populace differ so markedly from the perspectives of political leaders? Why are politicians so averse to taking decisive action, while ordinary citizens seem far less hesitant? Might there be some underlying explanation for this disparity? I have long suspected that the very notion of a “politician” may not be a positive one. Now I have found concrete evidence to support this view. Following the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, Lloyd George returned to Britain and addressed the House of Commons, declaring: “Our successes have served as a powerful source of inspiration for our great national unity. We are indeed filled with joy and pride, yet we must guard against the illusion that all perils have now passed. The very spirit that led us to victory must be preserved if we are to meet future challenges. Let us refrain from squandering our energy on internal strife.” This, he argued, constitutes the true skill—and the true magic—of a politician: avoiding needless conflict. In other words, citizens should not burden the government with personal grievances, genuine public concerns, or trivial matters. Such issues are trifling and irrelevant. After all, we may yet find ourselves at war with other nations. Patriotism, enthusiasm, unity, and a forward-looking stance toward the outside world—that is what truly matters. To politicians like Lloyd George, I hereby declare outright: all your grandiloquent pronouncements are nothing more than empty rhetoric, sheer nonsense. We have awakened. We are no longer the people we once were. Please desist; do not return.

Xiangjiang Miscellany

Dying Without Believing in Science
Two weeks ago, a massive thunderstorm struck Changsha, claiming several lives through lightning strikes. In a small house beneath an ancient tree on Yue Lu Mountain, multiple individuals were also killed by lightning. The city’s streets and drainage systems are notoriously filthy, creating conditions conducive to the accumulation of electrical charges; tall towers ought to be erected, and lightning rods installed in various locations. Furthermore, ancient trees naturally attract lightning, making it highly inadvisable to dwell beneath them. Such basic scientific knowledge should be common sense, yet neither the local police nor any of Changsha’s 300,000 residents seemed inclined to heed it. Some even went so far as to claim that “five hundred barbaric thunders descended from heaven as divine retribution,” leaving the victims’ families unaware of the true cause of death. How lamentable!

Dead Rats
Rats are a primary vector for the spread of plague. Dead rats are now visible throughout Changsha, yet the police simply stand by, ignoring them. Such a situation was unheard of in Changsha just a few years ago. Gentlemen officers, please pay closer attention.