Catoctin clarion., 1918-08-01
REFIT ARMIES
FOR INDUSTRY
British Cabinet Already Has Plan
of Work for Soldiers
After War.
GERMANY ALSO PREPARING
Colonization on Farms, Carefully
Worked Out by an Expert, Liable
to Be Upset by Revolt Of
the ProIetariat.

LOndon.-The British government is
now at work considering how the great
task Of demObiliZing the army and the
resettlement of the soldiers into civil
occupations ut the conclusion Of the
war is to be accomplished. The plan
drawn up by the minister of labor Is
receiving careful attention, and it is
understood considerable progress has
been made.
Germany also is giving this subject
her attention and the series of articles
by Herr Utsch in the Deutsche Land
wirtschaftliche Presse considers the
proposed settlement on the land Of SOL
diers returning from the war.
Herr Utsch begins by pointing out
that 1t Is a national duty to provide the
disabled or injured soldier not only
with an adequate pension but with suit
able employment which will enable him
to support himself and his family in
sufficient comfort. In providing such
employment, he says, due regard must
be paid to the wishes and the capacity
Of the individual, and no better means
for effecting this can be found than
home colonization, for in no other do
main are the possibilities SO great,
since vast tracts Of waste land still ey-
st in Germany waiting to be opened
up and the returning soldier cherishes
no dearer wish than to have home of
mis- own.
Sees Added Wealth.
At the same time, says Herr Utsch,
the interests of the country will be
served, since every fresh small colony
Increases the national wealth and
makes it more independent Of foreign
countries in the production of food. He
sees further advantage in attracting
labor to rural districts.
The writer divides the nature of the
employment of the settlers as follows:
Settlements for men employed in in
dustres or factories.
Holdings for agricultural labOrers.
Holdings for Independent artisans.
Small holdings with land attached
up to 60 acres or more.
Considering the first class named
they necessarily will be only possible
In the vicinity of towns or large indus
trial concerns.
The question of the settlement of
those coming under class two will be Vi
tai for agriculture after the war. These
holdings, he says, should be large
enough to enable the settlersto grow
sufficient cereals and potatoes for HIM
self and family and to keep one or two
cows.
AS for the Independent artisans In
class three, it would be for the inter-
ests of every community to do its ut
most to attract labor to the land in its
immediate vicinity.
Under class four, which would be
providing for peasant holdings, the dis
trict authorities and the provincial set
tlement companies would have 1t to
deal with. These settlers would be
those who could command adequate
agricultural knowledge, those who be-
fore the war were tenant farmers,
farm agents, or belonged to the more
efficient class of farm laborers.
Herr Utsch believes that during the
first period after the war it will be
necessary to proceed mainly with the
establishment of individual settlements
near existing villages, for the settlers
will find 1t easier to make living and
with the assistance Of the communes,
buildings will be cheaper. 1t will not
be necessary to undertake road making
and drainage operations on large
scale. This character Of settlement,
he believes, would induce soldiers to
settle near their old homes, where, as
they are known, assistance will be
more readily given to them.
Funds From War Profits.
As to the capital that will be neces-
sary to establish such communal set
Elements, the writer suggests that
about 10 per cent Of all war profits
which after the payment Of taxes ex-
ceed 10000 marks ought to be lent on
mortgages on the settlements at the
rate of 3 to 31A per cent.
Another article dealing with condi-
tions in Germany after the war, but on
entirely different lines from the pen of
q. d. Stelling, considers the extent in
which revolutionary ideas permeate the
German army and what may be the
outcome. The writer says:
1.-THE fuel of revolt is being heaped
up to await the torch that will set 1t
afiame. Competent observers foretell
that revolution will inevitably follow
the conclusion of the war. The
drugged and brutalized proletariat is
waking from It's trance. With organl-
zation and leadership the torpid Ger
man people will ut last turn against