DEPRESSION IN GERMANY

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7739, 22 June 1916, Page 4

DEPRESSION IN GERMANY

REMARKABLE SYMPTOMS. Whilst a note of warning against founding too great expectations on political developments in Germany is justified, there is no reason for not attaching very high importance to them (writes the Rotterdam correspondent to the London “Daily Telegraph”). To assume a possible early collapse of the enemy’s resistance would be foolish; to ignore present symptoms would be going too far in the opposite extreme. Private informatoin ns well as the obvious tren 1 of events prove unmistakably that within the last few weeks a great change for the worse has come over the. situation, politically and economically. In the former respect a crisis has arisen of a character more than serious than anything since the war began. For six months at least it has been developing; now it has come with the resignation of Admiral von Tirpitz. And that event has precipitated a ferment in which all the hidden elements of discord, discontent, and anxiety within the German Empire have come to the surface.

Tirpitz’s resignation means, in effect, the victory of Bethmann-Holl-weg, and for a long time the Imperial Chancellor has been suspect among the Chauvinists of Germany. For, from the Prussian point of view, at least, Bethmann-Hollweg is a reasonable man, and the extremists fear his influence in the direction of peace terms as opposed to that of the militarists, who would undoubtedly fight to the end. For them the total defeat of Germany would be no worse than the complete loss of place, power and influence that would follow a peace other than that which they foresaw when they plunged into war. On the best authority 1 learn that Tirpitz would have disappeared months ago but for the fear, on account of iiis popularity, af a reaction among the public. The resignation count of his popularity, of a reaction come all the same. The general public knows him as the creator of the German fleet, as the man who regarded that fleet as the only instrument which could break the power of England and so end the war in Germany’s favor. Hence all classes are now in a state of unrest ; the extremists viewing it as the defeat of their policy, the general public as the first indication

of naval impotence. In brief the German people has suddenly awakened to the knowledge—before, perhaps, a tragic secret in the breast of the Government—that after all they may lose the war. THE FIASCO AT VERDUN. Accompanying the revelation of naval weakness, as it is regarded, is the now apparent failure of the great offensive at Verdun. In an earlier dispatch I recorded the feverish hopes in that connection and the popular demonstration following the “fall” of Fort Douaumout. As yet there is no news of any concerted outbreak of the terrible disappointment following the failure of those operations. But neutral travellers leaving Berlin last week record that already there was a complete change in the atmosphere of the capital. Rejoicings had given place to recriminations, and as one such witness puts it, “The bulletins spoke of victory; but the faces of everyone I saw were eloquent of defeat.’”

You will have received from another source the remarkable communique published in the “Lokal Anzeiger,” practically a Government organ. This was the first open appeal the Government has made to the German people, and in itself is a striking proof of the conditions of unrest throughout the country. There is much other evidence of the crisis which has arisen. The consternation in certain quarters at the resignation of Tirpitz has deepened almost into panic. For instance, three of the strongest parties in the Reichstag, the National Liberals, the Conservatives, and the Centrals (Catholics), have tabled resolutions demanding the unlimited use of submarine war. There is more in this than lies on the surface. It is, in effect, a declaration of war against Bethmann-Hollweg. The participation of the Centrals is especially significant, their action in taking the side of Tirpitz and his supporters foreshadowing that the struggle of the Chauvinists is by no means ended. INTERNAL DIFFERENCES. The Government is affrighted at these first indications, really strong indications, of bitter internal differences. Accompanying the announcement to fhe public of the tabling of these resolutions is added the following semi-official note: —“By the form of these proposals an injurious impression may be created that it is necessary to exert influence on the Government as regards decisions for the effective carrying on of the war. As hitherto, we must remain united and full of confidence in order to carry on tin* war to a victorious end. It is the united wisli of the people that unity shall be maintained.”

The latest German newspapers also reveal something like a complete break-up of the cohesion hitherto maintained at least on the surface. Following the sensational Government appeal in the “Lokal Anzeiger” several journals publish articles appealing for unity, strength, and determination. On the other hand, the organs of “frightfulness” rebuke their compatriots for admonishing the people, suggesting that they themselves are to blame for the crisis by supporting the Ministers of reasonable ideas. The Hamburg journalists are in tears, and even the “Naeliriehten” refers to the resignation of Tirpitz as a staggering blow. “The resignation,” it says, luis awakened not only general regret, but excitement and anxiety. Nobody is able to believe that this man in the zenith of his power should suddenly have been stricken by illness. People are even clinging to the hope that he will return.

“It is the duty of everyone who cannot serve his Fatherland with weapons to advance all directed to the maintenance of the national will, and to maintain a good spirit. Unhappily, this is not the case everywhere. Pessimistic whisperers are found exerting quite a contrary influence. At one time they are anxious because the British, have instituted conscription, and therefore may become specially dangerous. Then they worry about fhe fat-cards or more meatless days. Far worse are

those who talk about our interior affairs, those from whom one hears, ‘We cannot carry on much longer. We are in need everywhere, need of cattle for meat, of butter, of fat, of bread, corn, etc. Where are we going to? In some months our will certainly be at an end.” Other persons never tire of telling each other that there are differences of opinion between the Kaiser and Hindenburg. They say that the Kaiser wishes a decision on the Western front, but that Hindenburg is preparing for it in the East. All these stories are spun from idle brains. To these whisperers spreading stupid rumors about threatened starvation or a growing want of raw materials, we say that they are serving our enemies with their tongues. Let them be silent.”