THE GERMAN SPIRIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 290, 6 November 1929, Page 8

THE GERMAN SPIRIT.

The “creator of Germany’s postwar army,” General von Seeckt, can scarcely be depended upon to fall in with the new ideas of disarmament. In his forthcoming book, “The Future Reich,” he is reported to have expressed “little hope of reconciliation between France and Germany,” and to see in the problems created by the Treaty of. Versailles a situation “difficult, if not impossible to solve by pacific means.” It is not an easy matter to contend with the age-lcng hatred which exists between the militarists, now known as the Nationalists of Germany, and the French. That hatred is strengthened in Germany by the general feeling, that the war left her people unbeaten, and that they are being made to suffer to a much greater extent than is either just or equitable, seeing that they disclaim responsibility for starting the war. However subdued the feeling may be, there is a strong undercurrent of feeling in the Republic that, if Germany bides her time, the opportunity will come when she will be able to avenge herself on her enemies. That the French are alive to this feeling would seem to be indicated by the proposal to establish a line of forts all along the trarder separating France from Germany, and by the “idea” General von Seeckt. professes to find in French action “to render Germany for ever impotent.” Dr Stresemann’s death unfortunately removed the one great German statesman who laboured incessantly, with M. Briand, to establish peace between the two countries and in Europe. His influence acted as a break upon the German Nationalists, whose policy is largely militaristic and who would restore the monarchy were the opportunity afforded them. Until the political situation clears in France, it is not possible to say how far M. Briand’s policy in promoting international peace is likely to prevail in that country, and it is unfortunate that von Seeckt’s views should be sprung upon Europe at a time of crisis in French political affairs. The “creator of Germany’s post-war army” would seem to possess much of the spirit of the pre-war German High Command, as apparent in von Bernhardi’s ethics of war. If that is the case, it is scarcely to be expected that the Germans will remain for long irresponsive to von Seeckt’s fresh appeal to national hatred of a rival nation which is reaping the fruits of a treaty, which so many Germans regard as unjustly obtained and under which Germany is (in von Seeckt’s words) “now burdened for two generations with a tribute less intended to strengthen flourishing French industry, than to repress the economic renaissance of Germany.” A matter of possibly more immediate interest to the Dominions is contained in the German suggestions, which are being persistently pressed, for the reallocation of the mandates now exercised over Germany’s former colonial possessions. Western Samoa and South-West Africa are the territories upon which Germany is casting longing eyes, and the East African Chamber of Commerce has been moved to ask the British Labour Ministry to re-affirm Mr Amery’s declaration that Britain has no intention of relinquishing any mandate. Similar representations should be made from this country, more particularly in regard to Western Samoa.