The Waikato Times. With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1923. AN OMINOUS OUTLOOK.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15353, 29 September 1923, Page 4

The Waikato Times. With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1923. AN OMINOUS OUTLOOK.

The position in Germany has undergone a great change during the past few days. The Chancellor, Herr Strescmann, realising that the policy of passive resistance to the French demands was having a boomerang effect and really inflicting more damage upon the Germans themselves than upon the French and Belgians, by bringing about chaotic conditions, decided, after a conference with the State Premiers, to renounce the policy and instruct the resumption of normal activities. The “climb down” is proving most unpopular in Monarchist and Communist circles, and there are indications that the authorities will be defied. In Bavaria, the stronghold of the Monarchist movement, martial law has already been proclaimed, and an early clash between the supporters of the Monarchists and "tho forces of the Republic is predicted. According to the correspondent of a London journal a state of civil war now exists; the outlook being regarded as ominous indeed. It is not known whether the German army will declare for the Monarchists or be loyal to the Republic, and much depends upon its decision. General Ludendorff and his fellow militarists have been most active, and it is not improbable that many will flock to their standard, not because of their love for the old regime, but in the hope that it will afford some easement in the galling straits in which the Germans now find themselves. While the militarists are thus active in Bavaria, the Communists are busy in Dusseldorff seeking to circumvent the Government’s orders to resume work. They Eire endeavouring to engineer a general strike, and there are indications that the men are paying more heed to the blandishments of the Communists than to the instructions of their Labour unions. It is further reported that an appeal has been addressed by the Communists to the Soviet to espouse their cause, thought it has not been accorded a sympathetic response, the Soviet intimating that at present It Is anxious to follow the paths of peace. In the meantime Mr Stanley Baldwin contends that the interests of European peace-require the'closest co-operation between Britain and France, and the Labour representatives are demanding the immediate convocation of Parliament in view of the gravity of the situation in Germany and its consequent inevitable effect upon trade and employment in Britain. When it is borne io mind that the present situation in Germany has been largely brought about by the policy pursued; by France, it will be recognised that the outlook is Indeed gloomy, and it will require the most astute statesmanship to avert a great conflagration.