UNREST IN GERMANY.

Evening Star, Issue 18333, 21 July 1923, Page 4

UNREST IN GERMANY.

It is a bad sign that tho prospect of civil war is being discussed freely in the German Press. Spectres of that kind are nor generally mentioned, except with bated breath, unless their menace is too obvious to bo ignored. The more they nro discussed and feared the more they are likely to materialise. Tho French occupation of tho Ruhr Ims caused most classes in Germany to draw closer together in opposition to tho alien invader, but two classes make exceptions to the general unity. Tho Monarchists have not lost their hope of a restoration of the old regime, to tho great advantage of their class; and the Communists, or a proportion of them, are as ready as these other extremists to take advantage of the national misfortunes for the advancement of their peculiar ends. The position is less clear than it might bo, because the Communists apparently have been divided among themselves as to tiie tactics which they should pursue. A section of them has been inclined to co-operate with the French, in tho hope of such weakening of the national Government as would prepare the way for their regime of chaos. Other Communists in the Ruhr have urged resistance to tho intruders, on tho ground that French imperialism is a more deadly enemy than German capitalism, A section of tho German militarists also has been supposed to be not unwilling to co-operate with the French in tho constitution of the Rhineland as a separate republic, if that scheme should commend itself to their former foes. They have more iu common with French militarists than with the ex-tailor, Herr Ebert, whose supremo power they regard as a degradation of Germany. What tho Communists have most cause to fear, in some States at least, is not French but German imperialism. At present they are oblivious to that danger in their hatred of tho coalition (largely Socialist] Government, which they accuse of conducting such a “ white terror ” as was directed against (he Socialists in Hungary, The Communists have been calling on their supporters to take arms against tho much harassed Government; and tho junkers and other militarists do not shrink from welcoming tho prospect of such civil wa r , because they hope that, when the Reds have subdued the Government, it will bo easy for them to subdue the Reds and make themselves masters of the situation. Tho French would doubtless see th it their mastery did not go too far. Present prospects may commend themselves to their eyes, because, with the junkers threatening once more to take command, or with anarchy extending under Communist rule, tlie best pretext would bo given to them for occupying the whole cf Germany. Bavaria has always been the chief hotbed of Monarchist sentiment. In addition to Bavaria, where preparations for a conflict are being made openly, it is said, by the militarists, junker estates in Pomerania and elsewhere are being made centres of training. Ludendorff will bo active in the direction of that secret movement. The escape from prison a few weeks ago of Captain Erhardt, one of the most dangerous of the German reactionaries, who was prominently identified with the Kapp “ putsch ” of three years ago, was interpreted by some newspapers as the signal to get ready for a new Monarchist outbreak, and described by the 1 Vossischo Zeitung ’ as equivalent to a battle lost for tho republic. The industrial masses of Germany, since the war ended, have not shown much love for the Monarchist cause, but a different position might bo created if the chief supporters of the old regime were able to' appeal to them as protectors of the nation from a Communist tyranny. Tho situation would bo complicated in tho worst way if the Bolshevik Government in Russia chose to assist the Communists, and civil war in Germany would be equally bad for French prospects of obtaining reparations, if, except with a long time limit, those are still entertained by France, and for tho restoration of Europe's equilibrium. The French occu- | pation of the Ruhr is an incitement to I every element of unrest in Germany; and if British persuasions, which are now being exercised, can cause that chafing influence to bo modified, the whole world will have much cause for relief.