The Washington herald., 1916-06-11
.TEUTONS Plan TO
SEEK new RIGHTS
Hamburg Paper Says Nation
After War Will Face
Serious Problems.
OPPOSITION TO SECRECY

Special Correspondent Of The Washington Herald
London, June 10.-A frank admission of
the tremendous difficulties which Ger
many will face after the war is contain
ed in an outspoken article In the Ham
burger Fremrenblatt. The writer even
goes so far as to hint at the possibility
OF very serious internal troubles.
"Germany's task during the war and
until peace is obtained is clear enough"
he says. ut is to hold on and to carry
on to the end. On the success of our
combined efforts depend the campaign
and the contents of the treaty of peace.
Germany must obtain the clearest possi-
BILE recognition of her peculiar central
position in Europe, so unequivocal that
there shall never be another war about
the terms of peace. For in so far as the
present war foreshadows another it will
be held to have missed its aim.
The transition stage between the end
of the war and the return of normal con-
ditions will raise the most formidable
difficulties both in the political and the
Industrial spheres. The questions that
will at once concern us will be the man
ner and method of buying the necessary
material for our industries, the re-estab-
lishment of our transport service, the re-
covery OF our exchange values the dis
prices for the country, both for manufac-
tured and half manufactured articles. We
must have a plan for every detail. which
will enable us to profit from the mistakes
We have made and our experience in the
past.
"All these affairs, which presuppose a
great activity on the part OF the state
and its army of officials, are of such de-
cisive Importance for our industries that
thaky r,Tfn har llNv OF Lass Ntthl Ito
ton than the conclusion of peace and the
terms of the treaty. With this object in
view Germany must requisition all its
skill for organization. Officials and pri-
vate individuals must work together and
prepare the ground In every possible way
at once.\
Heavier Taxation Coming.
Now the nation, after its terrible sac
rifices, will be eager for a renewal of pub
lie life. We know this to be the wish
and desire of the soldiers to whom the
Fatherland can never be sufficiently
grateful, and those at home share their
views and would be as deeply disappoint-
ed as the Fieldgreys (soldiers in the field
IL everything went on in public life in
the same slow humdrum way.
THE danger that has to be faced In
this matter Is greater than most people
think. For the taxation which the State
Will require will be greater than ever
before, and individuals and parties will
naturally differ as to how the money
shall be spent and as to the Justice of
these demands. There will be plenty of
material for excitement in this affair
There are not a few people who seriously
hold there are enemies of the state in
Germany itself who are prepared to cause
a revolution. They say that there are
parties who will not follow the call to
the colors or protect their Fatherland.
But this danger has been removed by
the war. Never has the world seen
more united nation than Germany"
The writer believes that the sacrifices,
which all classes have shared in the war,
will prevent the revival of party quarrels
after the war. But one thing Is clear
he declares-the German people will de-
mand a greater control over the foreign
policy of their government.
Political Secrecy Opposed.
The nation and their representatives
were kept far too much in the dark about
foreign politics, which were discussed
with far too much secrecy. The result
was that a large number of people re-
ceived no education in this most import
ant sphere of politics. Bare assertions
could be made without contradiction, the
nation lost its sense of responsibility, and
public opinion could be easily misled
with public opinion so loosely knit
even the foreign office has found 1t dif1-
cult during the last quarter OF CEN
tury to make the essential unity of the
nation felt as a force in politics 1t had
TO grope and feel its way. and this con-
dition of things was not favorable to the
creation of a school of diplomacy of the
highest style.
We need the weight of steady tradl-
ton In our foreign politics and a new
generation OF statesman who shall not be
taken exclusively from the upper ten. We
shall then become a country that cx-
ports not only goods, but also a politi-
cal tradition, and we shall be able to
rely on public opinion much more than
We could under the old system. Above
all we must produce more, that is the
law of peace as 1t is the law of war.
If We can do that-and Germany means
to do 1.-THE attempts OF the entente
politicians to hem US in will soon be re-
duced to a threat without any danger for
US. Already their commercial aims are
becoming an embarrassment to the
enemy. They must be taught that they
can conclude a peace with Germany. but
not a peace against Germany"