The New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1919. AT WEIMAR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10210, 21 February 1919, Page 4

The New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1919. AT WEIMAR

Two days ago the change of scene from Berlin to Weimar looked to be just another case of the ordinary experience which forbids us to expect scenic chango to bo followed by moral improvement. The Germans, -went to Weimar from Berlin in tho hope of persuading the Allies to regard their case us outside tho general rule. Weimar is the intellectual capital of Goethe's day, when high Gorman ideals inspired general respect, and the political conditions of the State made up their quota of th© Golden Age at Weimar. The change also made appeal to tho German Austrians, who are expected to take refuge in the arms of Germany proper from the debacle of the Austrian Empire. That appeal will probably be successful. It is, at all events, a general belief that these Austrian Germans now about to take a vote on the subject, who would for obvious reasons never consent to be ruled from Berlin, will agree readily to give loyalty to a Central Federal authority at Weimar. The other appeal—to the Allies —has probably failed through the action of Germany. The late Polish episode -which we recently described as a "bolt from the bluo" seems to have been the outcome of a bluff. At any rate, as soon as tho Allies took severe notice,' instead of abject fright, the Polish expedition ceased,' and efforts are being made to show that the expedition really was directed against the Bolsheviks. At tho head of these stands the proclamation of Hindenburg, who has gone East to stem the tide, calling upon tho manhood of Germany to volunteer for the defence of the Fatherland against the Bolshevik enemy. Possibly we may even be told that there never was any attack on tho Poles; that, in fact, the bombardment and the storm assaults and the captures were all invented parts of a big bluff. Whether j the story -was true or false matters little. The point is that a bluff is just as strong a proof of the stubbornness of the old German temper as a real campaign. This conclusion Herr Hantaan, the Foreign Minister of tho new Republic, has been good enough to confirm. In his speech to tho Assembly, which has been reported at somo length, no brought tho methods of tho Pan-Ger-mans very plainly to the front. hie was ready to submit to impartial men the question of responsibility tor the war, men having the confidence or all tho belligerents, but premised by stating his adherence to tho Wilsonian principle that no costs go to the victor. Jn plain words, Germany wm submit t 8 judgment so long as tho verdict carries neither damages nor costs. Again, Germany is ready to re-establish, by free labour, tho countries ruined by German occupation, but protests against tho retention of her captured soldiers to do the work as slaves. Incidentally, this is an admission of all the infamies of the German deportations and forced labour. But, above all, it is an admission of Germany's guilt for the war, for why, if not responsible for tho war, should Ger many agree to restore the status quo by free labour? Moreover, if she restores, where will she get the tree labour if not in Germany P What Germany really -wants is to get back trie multitude of prisonors to start them on her industries, while the industrial population of tho long-occupied countries are tied up with tho work ol roparation. Again, Germany must have- perfect equality, economically and commercially, because her attempts at economic and commercial aggression proved to be unsound.. The Minister throws the blamo on tho old regime, declaros ho has put good men into office in the places of the old bureaucrats and Junkers, and expects to Tie rewarded by tho grant of the highest favoured position for his country, with no thought of paying for tho damage caused by thoso unfit persons. As for tho patent fact, that all Germany, every class without exception in Germany, applauded thoso persons now declared unfit, and mado herself fully responsible; as for that awkward fact, it is dropped quietly out of the

reckoning. There is more of tho same sort, but wo have noticed enough to prove that tho change ol Berlin tc- Wnimar has produced no change of heart. One important point cannot be missed, because it is the very keynote of tho Minister's method. Ho declared he must resign, because France was notoriously aiming at the resumption 'of hostilities. France is, of course, doing nothing of tho kind. France is taking proper precautions against being left at tho mercy of a formidable neighbour, who, by his past conduct, has forfeited every claim to honour, credit or trust. To call that a desire to renen- hostilities which is palpably l.i desiro to prevent thoir renewal is as wild a line' of polemic as any of tho very wild lines which Germany has followed for years with persistent and I shameless "mendacity. Thi3 ease is worse, because France has just been ,froed from the tigerish grip fastened upon her by Germany, in spito of decency, honour, and law. That she should be anxious to prevent a repetition of such diabolical treatment is natural and to ho expected. To neglect precautions would bo criminal folly on her part. But this is tho situation in which the new German Foreign Minister intervenes with an insulting and malicious accusation of murderous intent. Tho mendacity and audacity of of tho new rule are exactly what they were in the days of tho old. The heart that plunged tho world into war in Berlin is now at Weimar. The scene has changed, but nothing else has.