New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-17

people have asked about Germany since
this series of articles has been appear
ing in The Tribune. one of the most
interesting and most difficult is:
How long will the war last?"
II is impossible to say with any de-
gree of certainty whether the war
will last more than this year or not
There are and there viii be great mill
tary operations in Europe this summer
and fall, and until some of these are
completed no one will know what the
results will be. But to observers in
Germany one thing is certain: Ger
many can conduct an aggressive war
fare this year She can continue an
offensive war in 1918, and perhaps even
/ in 1919, unless the United States and
the Allies are overwhelmingly sue
ccssful in their military operations.
IN this, the last of this series Of
articles on Germany. ! want to answer
briefly some of the questions have
been asked by people from Holyoke,
Mass. TO Richmond, Indianapolis and
/ Chicago.
Financiers Not Considered
"Win Germany be forced to stop
fighting because of lack of money"
asked business man in Richmond.
Answer-"It is very doubtful wheth-
or Germany will permit her finances TO
decide the war. When the ruthless
submarine war was decided upon finan-
ciors were not even questioned about
the effects it would have upon Ger
many's financial standing. German
financial methods are about as follows:
The government floats a war loan. ] he
banks, people and manufacturers sub
scribe. The government spends this
money in Germany for war supplies,
war materials and for salaries. The
workers are receiving high wages;
they save considerable money deposit
il in the banks. Profits of the manu-
facturers 20 to the banks, too. Then
when the government wants more
money IL announces another war loan,
and the money which the government
previously spent is returned by the
people in subscriptions. No one is
permitted to take 900 marks or more
out of Germany without written per-
mission, so that every possible cent is
kept in the country. This method OF
war finance is successful in Germany
during the war, and | doubt whether a
continuation of it will affect military
operations.
1.-The crisis will come after the war,
when the city governments, which have
been borrowing and spending lavishly
for relief purposes, have 10 pay their
debts and Obligations
Government Pays Good Interest
as the government paying interest
on the war loans ?" asks another
Hoosier.
Answer-"The government pays 412
and ) and 81 per cent interest on the
war loans regularly"
as the government considering the
coniiscation of wealth ~
Answer DIR. Gustav Stressemann.
National Liberal member Of the Reichs-
tag, has introduced a bill providing for
the confscation Of all great fortunes,
and with the growth of socialism in
Germany this plan may be adopted,
but probably not until after the war"
what is the government going to
do with its debts after the war;? asks
q man in Indianapolis.
Answer-"No one knows, but it has
been suggested in Berlin and other
German cities that the government re-
pudiate all debts after the war"
as the Kaiser i'll and does he really
direct the government affairs"
Answer: "The Kaiser is undoubtedly
the most active man in Germany. He Is
not i'll, as some Americans think. From
/ time to time his physicians make him
rest and he is bothered with a throat
trouble, but this does not keep him
from directing and overseeing all gov
eminent business. In war time the
Kaiser's will is law"
"Do the people ever see the Kaiser?"
4 asked a woman in Scranton.
Answer: "The Kaiser comes TO Ber-
lin frequently, and when he is there he
rides through the city in his military
automobile. ! saw him in Berlin three
times last fall and winter. At ali these
times he was coming from or going into
the Chancellor's palace on Wilhelm
strasse, opposite the former American
B Embassy"
100000 New Recruits Every Year
/ "Has Germany called out her last re-
serves ?" asks lawyer in Holyoke.
I Answer: at has been reported many
times that Germany has called out the
last reserves but | noticed during my
stay in Berlin that by last reserves the
Germans usually meant men who were
excused at former calls because of sick
ness. Germany has, 1t is estimated,
about 100000 new recruits every year
as the boys become Of military age"
"Will the German people revolt as
the Russians did? questions business
man in Chicago.
Answer: 1.-THE German people will
not revolt as long as they are convinced
+ that the Kaiser and military party are
winning the war. Only a decisive mil.
itary defeat will shake the confidence
of the people in the present govern
ment The overthrow OF the Hohon-
zollerns would accomplish nothing
unless Won Hudenburg and all the
German government officials were
overthrow too. II the German people
discarded the Kaiser to-day they would
select Won Hindenburg to succeed him.
because the Field Marshal is the most
popular man in Germany. This would
gain the Allies and the United States
absolutely nothing. Uncle Sam and
T the Allies must fight until the faith
of the German people in their army
leadership is shattered. When this is
done there will be an opportunity for
4 the democratic movement in Germany
to succeed"
"Can you tell us anything about the
Belgian atrocities >" asks a Hoosier
business man.
Answer: Il was in Belgium several
, times. but ! never came across direct
evidence of atrocities. War is not only
the most inhumane thing in the world,