New-York tribune., 1918-06-01
With the Enemy
The Ne1c York Tribune

FoTetGn t0re9a bureau
DR.. Weber, one of the principal officials
making plans for the German industrial and
commercial reorganization after the war, re-
Gently explained the governments proposals
to a gathering of industrialsts at Frank
fort Much of the lecture was secret, but
part Of it has been printed in the Frank
furter Zeitung"
DR.. Weber admitted that in negotiating
peace the German government will demand
exchange loans and treaties for the supply
of raw materials. Secondly, he said that
the tonnage problem has already been
solved by the fusion Of the German shipping
companies. Germany will endeavor, first of
all, to import oils and fats--in preference to
raw materials for her export industry. Ger
man traders are being encouraged to make
preliminary purchases in foreign countries,
especially if no immediate payment is in
volved, and they have been given guaran-
tee that if the German government subse-
quently finds it necessary to coniscate the
goods the German buyers will be fully COM
pensated and will also receive "a premium
corresponding with the risk incurred"
AS regards the general policy of trade
control after the war, the intentions-or ex-
pressed intentions-of the German govern-
ment are now pretty clear. 1t is declared
that the various industries and trades are to
po iSie ilee as Lar aS pOSSlDle TO organize
themselves, and that the government will
conine itself to supervising the distribu-
ton of raw materials they become avail
able and the distribution of military stores
and material of all kinds.
The German sick insurance statistics show
a rapid increase OF illness, especially among
women. The "Vorwarts" attributes this to
the weakened power of resistance due to
+o = Al.
generally overworked. The trade
unions are paying out constantly increasing
sums in sick pay.
Germany, which long ago annexed
Shakespeare, is claiming Napoleon rs
German. In his book. "Akademisches
Wochenschrift," DR.. Otto Hauser says it is
certain Napoleon was a German on his
mothers side. The maiden name of the
Emperor's mother was Letizia Ramolino, he
explains, and this was undoubtedly merely
corruption of the German name Rammlein.
After the war the Centrist partv will be
the most powerful party in Germany. saws
Dr. Holdermann in the German weekfv
"Deutsche Poltik." He points out that. as
Germany Is now going through transition
PERIOD from government of authorities to
peoples government, and since the Centrist
party IS transition party from Right to
Le1t and the Left is too weak to carry the
burden OF government on its shoulders, the
Centrum will assume the leading role in
German politics. He says:
NO party will Issue from the war strong
er and more firmly united than the Centrist
party Its great successes will immensely
strengthen the self consciousness of its fol-
lowers. This will be of very great advan-
tage to the Centrum after the war. It will
nave more followers than ever before. It's
durability may be questioned. The
great position which the Centrum now holds
corresponds to our present transition period
from personal government to peoples gov-
ernment. The left parties in Parliament are
not vet strong enough to carry on their
shoulders the latter government But they
will be able to do it some day This transit
ton, we'll the nature of the Centrum
party. which combines in it the forces Of
the Right and Left, makes the Centrist
party the leading party Of the moment~