THE GERMAN COLLAPSE.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 957, 14 November 1918, Page 8

THE GERMAN COLLAPSE.

THURSDAY, NOYEMBER 14.

"The Day" at Last, but Not "The Day " the Huns Wanted. AT last "The Day" has come. Not "Der Tag" of German dreams, ambit-ions, and plots, the day when when Britain, France, and indeed the whole civilised world, would have to bow down in humility before the Dagon of Berlin and salute triumphant Germany. But the day of the Allied triumph, the triumph of the sacred cause of Liberty, Trutji and_ Justice over the vilest 5 most -abominable thing the world has yet produced—Prussian militarism. A. nightmare has- been lifted off the world. All friends of civilisation and humanity breathe freely once more. In all reverence and humility and sincerest thankfulness, we say "Thank God!"

Germany, the old Germany, or rather, to be exact, that "new" and hateful Germany which, based upon the defeat of Austria, in 1866, followed by the French debacle in 1870, sprang into existence when "Pious William," fit grandfather of the hypocritical scoundrel who has just abdicated, was crowned Emperor of Germany at Versailles. The formation of the German Empire spelt the political effacement of Bavaria, Wurtemberg, Saxony, and other previously semi-independent German States. Thenceforward, until November, 1918, these States merely registered and obeyed the dictates of the central tyranny at Berlin.

To-day, the whole fabric of German Imperialism, and, what is more important, Prussian domination, is crumbling into dust. Bavaria, Saxony, Wurtemberg, Baden, Hesse-Darmstadt and Schleswig-Holstein are already republics, and although, nominally, the Hohenzollern dynasty is still represented at Berlin, there is little doubt that before many weeks, perhaps even many days, are over, the Prussian monarchy will follow German Imperialism on to> the scrap-heap and cease to exist, beyond any hope of resurrection. As things go at present monarch s, like the "dukes" of "The Gondoliers," threaten to be so reduced in value as to be currently estimated at "three a penny." ■* * * *

The horrible menace of Prussian militarism has been removed. But another menace remains, that of international anarchy as represnted by the Bolshevik movement. How far Bolshevikism may succeed in Germany no man may yet say. Just now it is all in the favour of the Allies that Germany should be, temporarily, in a state of political chaos. But it will be as bad for the Allies as for Germany should chaos continue. For our own part we do not believe it will. / The German is not like the Russian, a dreamy idealist. He is, above all things, severely practical of mind. He may oust, for ever, the Hohenzollerns, and we hope he will. But the establishment of a "Pied" Bolshevik regime is quite another matter. ■» * & *■ A final thought in connection with, this great and good and glorious) news we have received this week. The one saddening thought which must have come uppermost in many minds on Tuesday was that during the last few weeks so many gallant New Zealanders, some of them men who had fought right through the war, have been numbered amongst those who have made the supreme sacrifice. It is specially hard on the parents and relatives of these men that in the hour of general rejoicing over the downfall of Germany's power, over the triumph of the Allies, they should be mourning their dear ones. To all such we tender our deepest sympathy.