Note 41 — Chapter XXV · HOME TO TRELLEBORG
H. G. De Walterstorff translation
This little episode, which seemed as harmless as it was amusing to us three “conspirators” whilst we discussed it over our mugs of beer, found its way into the German press, and was received with much mirth. In the French press it appeared under a different guise. Thus, for instance, the Journal des Débats, in a telegram from Bordeaux, dated November 22nd, publishes the following:—
“Un télégramme de Bâle dit qu’en quittant l’Allemagne, Sven Hedin l’explorateur suédois bien connu, a été arrêté et retenu quelque temps à Heidelberg comme suspect d’espionnage.”
The “Figaro” has quite a little article under the heading of “Vieil Heidelberg.” Other headings are as follows:—
“Le germanophile arrêté pour espionnage.—Ils arrêtent leur meilleur ami!—Arrestation de M. Sven Hedin.—Arrêté comme espion.—Les allemands soupçonnent leurs meilleurs amis,” and so on ad infinitum. An English newspaper, the Newcastle Chronicle, of November 24th, managed to improve on these versions: “The adventure at Heidelberg of Sven Hedin, the Swedish explorer now in the pay of the German Official Press Bureau, appears to have been amusing. He delivered a lecture in public at the ancient cradle of German culture, and knowing him to be a foreigner, the Heidelberg police regarded his intense enthusiasm for the greatness of Germany as suspicious. He was accordingly arrested, and detained for several days until his employers of the Press Bureau could be communicated with and establish that he was not a spy. Perhaps this little experience may cool Sven Hedin’s ardour. In any case, why was he lecturing in Heidelberg? His services in Holland or Italy, the United States, or any other neutral country requiring enlightenment would seem natural and appropriate, but surely Heidelberg needs no lessons in pan-germanism.”
The surprising thing about the English description is not its wealth of detail given with the same readiness as when it is a question of great and serious matters, such as, for instance, Hindenburg’s continuous defeats, the uninterrupted German retreat from Flanders, the funeral of the German Crown Prince, which takes place on an average of about once a month, etc. No, the really surprising thing in this article is that the newspaper would find it natural and suitable if I were to plead Germany’s cause in neutral countries, such as Holland, Italy or the United States. A bon entendeur, salut!