The Daily News. MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1918. GERMANY'S. CONDITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1918. GERMANY'S. CONDITION.

It would be irony of fate if, after defeating the Germans, the Allies should be called upon to intervene in order to save Germany from tlie terrible ordeal which overtook Kussia when Bolshevism reared its tyrannical head after the revolution took place. Already the situation there is replete with possibilities of a dangerous upheaval. The removal of the strong and remorseless arm of despotic militarism has, for the time being at least, put the people off their balance, and under the most favorable circumstances it will take some time to restore the equilibrium. It must be remembered that for nearly half a century the Prussian militarists have been preparing for a great world ■ war, and all State activities as well as industrial efforts have been made to fit in with the furtherance of that project. The day came when it was considered that' all was ready for the mad campaign, the war was started and for over four years has raged with unparalleled fury, involving the loss of millions of men and the imposition of intense hardships on the people. That the strain was intense goes without saying, and now that the reaction has set in it is not surprising that even the wrill drilled and automatic Germans are dazed and confused, hence the chaotic state of affairs that now prevails. The iron hand no longer terrorises the people into submission, and it is quite according to precedent that the extremists should foment .disorder j and rebellion. Apparently the nation is now - divided into two great sections, one consisting of the moderate Republicans and the other of the Bolsheviks. Herr Ebert represents the former, and Dr LieWecht the latter, and the struggle between these opposing elements at present centres round the summoning of a National Assembly. A recent cable message states that Ebert has declared war on the Bolsheviks, whose.aim is to govern the country by Soviets. He insists that" the present state of things must not continue or the future of the nation will be imperilled and the prospects of peace become hopeless. The Government, he says, is determined to oppose all efforts aimed at interfering with the National Assembly, and if he can secure the support of the returned soldiers he may win through. The latest news indicates that the soldiers are with him, so that the National Assembly should soon be an accomplished fact. It would seem to be hardly possible for the main body of the German people to be inclined towards a sweeping social and economical revolution, However barbaric the German methods are, the people have been well educated and taught to use their intellectual powers, and in this there is a wide difference between them and the Russians. It appears to be clear that the militarists and loyalists are now striving to take advantage of the conflict between the two chief parties, their object'being to win over the great majority of the moderates in order to establish some sort of responsible government, and unless they succeed the Allied occupation of Germany ; must continue, for there will be 3io jieafie i

terms can be arranged. It is quite possible that the true state of affairs is not known outside of Germany, but there can be no question that there is a general degire to be rid of military rule, and a yearning for settling down to peaceful avocations. It is inconceivable that such a programme as that offered by the Spartacus group could have any attraction for sane men. Germany's economic system has been built up by industries that have brought prosperity to the country and its people, and the latter, having all their lives been accustomed to established law and authority, might Well be expected to regard with disapproval such excesses as the seizure of landed property, banks, coal mines, factories and private fortunes, nor are the prospects of Bolshevik methods of government likely to prove attractive, in view of what has occurred in Russia. That is. why the summoning of a National Assembly is gaming favor, as it approaches more nearly in form to the usage to which they have been accustomed, though in substance it will be a move that should bring about a stable democratic Government —a reality and not a sham. The position, however, is full of difficulties, and it remains to be seen whether Herr Ebert can obtain sufficient support to counteract the activity of the Bolsheviks. The republicans regard the Reichstag as reactionary, but it would seem that the soldiers are averse to Bolshevism, so that if they support the moderates then the extremists must go under. ThY question, however, arises as to what the soldiers may do if they find themselves the pivot on which the situation turns, and there is' no doubt that the militarists, including the Ilohenzollems, are anxiously awaiting the outcome of events. How far the food problem will affect the position is impossible to forecast. Accounts concerning the available supply of provisions differ very materially, but if there exists that great' shortage which, according to some versions, is causing intense privation and suffering, then Ebert's declaration that he would even welcome an invasion that would organise politics and increase the food supply, ha 3 a genuine ring. The Allies have a stern duty to perform in punishing the Germans for their crimes and imposing terms of peace, so it is to their interest to prevent the permanent internal disorganisation of the country. The dominance of Bolshevism would largely thwart the intentions of the Allies in exacting punishment and penalties. It suits the policy of some of the Teutonic newspapers to attribute to the Allies a desire to enslave Germany unless there is a stable Government set up. These absurd innuendoes are beneath notice, being merely an exposition of German action under similar circumstances. Before peace terms can be imposed it is essential there shall be a responsible and reliable (as far as is possible in Germany) Government. The Allies have not the slightest inclination or desire to occupy Germany, but they are vitally concerned in settling the reckoning, and in taking such steps as will prevent a recurrence of war. The sane element of the people should be sufficiently" strong to put down Bolshevism, and unless they do this it may be assumed, fairly and reasonably, that there is a sinister motive in continuing the state of chaos into which Germany is seemingly plunged.