GERMANY FROM WITHIN
CRY FOR FOOD AND WORK LONDON, July 27. Mr E. R. Peacock (Special Commissioner of the Sydney Sun) in an interview, summed up his impressions gathered during nearly six months’ tour of the cities and.' industrial centres in Germany, subsequent to a visit to the Spa Conference. He declared that there was difficulty in establishing an entirely new form of Government, while the country was still suffering a tremendous social and economic disturbance, which he explains is more than outsiders realise. Germany’s attitude towards the Treaty is the fundamental problem of the whole situation, and is vitally affecting disarmament, Ihe restoration of industry, and the satisfactory fulfilment of the peace obligations. Strong political leadership, capable of holding a stable majority in the Reichstag has apparently not yet been found. The existence of the Fehrenbach Government is precarious. The Communists and ■ irreconcilable Socialists represent only 50 of the total electorates, but they arc the best organised parties in the country. They are largely armed now, and are constantly receiving propagandist reinforcements from Russia.
The great majority of the people are undoubtedly tired of internal dissension, and will soon settle down if given sufficient food. Actual hunger is still seen in many parts of Germany, and. there is a ’■■'hWtr in these circumstances of voenrrerme of revolutionary pasD' n ami vecVessness. The iiTeconciliables may detach a section of the Majority Socialists, and in that event there would be an immediate danger of Bolshevism spreading over the country. The success of the Russians against Poland is liable to contribute to that end. Mr Peacock believes that fears of aggression by the militarist section of the French are genuinely entertained in Germany, and intensify the' difficulties of disarmament, but the economic needs are the most important of ah. ‘Kjlive us food, raw materials, and work,” is everywhere heard. Given these without delav everything else will probably follow.
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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 14 August 1920, Page 7
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316GERMANY FROM WITHIN Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 14 August 1920, Page 7
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