Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-11-30
FOOD WILL SAVE
DEMOCRACY SAYS
GERMAN LEADER
Declares America Must Send
Help Without Delay If It
Would Prevent BolSheviSm
Sweeping Over Germany
BY Arno Dosch- Fleurot.
Copyright, 1918. by the Press Pub-
fishing Co.

lThe New York World)
Especial Gable Despatch to the World
and Albuquerque JournaD
Berlin (via Copenhagen) Nov. 20.
Our National Assembly will proba-
bly, be called in February" Philip
Scheidemann. leader of the Mojorfty
group of Socialists and former Min
lister of Finance and Colonies, said to
me today. 1--WE would call II much
sooner if it were technically possible,
for the longer the delay the greater
the danger to democracy.
"As soon as an exact date can be
fixed we shall name it so that the
whole world may understand and APP
preciate our determination and our
sincere purpose to establish a democ-
racy in Germany and give all Of our
people a chance in the government;
but because the entire people must
have a vote we shall need several
weeks to register voters and to con-
struct the election machinery. That
is why we cannot fix a date at this
time"
Understands the Misgivings.
Scheidenann spoke with special
earnestness. as my question to him
had been designed to draw from him
a positive and unequivocal express
sion.
The entire world. especially Amer
ica,'' | said, lis sceptical regarding
your power to assemble a eonstftu-
tional congress and make Germany
really democratic We see your gov
eminent based upon Soldiers and
EWorkmen's Councils, representing
only a portion of the people. We
know the dangers of the manlpula-
ton of class bodies in the establish
ment of a democracy, having seen
the Soldiers and Norkmen's Councils
in Russia drive out q constitutional
assembly. So we need to be convinc-
ed by actual demonstration that the
present German government is sim
cere in it's purpose to convene a ma
tional assembly"
Scheidemann had received me all
most Immediately when | presented
myself. He showed he understood
our misgivings by saying:
Our present government has stat
ed and repeated our intention to call
constitutional assembly as quickly
as possible. | can understand why
the rest of the world should doubt
our ability to carry out the plan, but
only national catastrophe, such as
famine, can prevent it. Z Ninety-fivc
per cent of the German people are
clamoring for constitutional assem-
bly,.
Want VIII Halt Democracy.
"Only small groups wish class rule
or the establishment of a regime like
that in Russia. With Germany in
anything like a normal state these
groups would be unable to control or
even to delay a constitutional assem-
bly,.
"Their only hope for interference
in the orderly characterization of Ger
many lies in the prospect of famine
If Germany starves. no one will be
able to reckon with political conse-
quences.
Famine seems imminent indeed,
but / believe your country under
stands the urgent necessity of help
ing Germany with food Immediately
in order to prevent the desperation
which leads to Boishevisrn. If we
have enough to eat in Germany, there
will be no Bolshevism, but if the
great masses of the people find them
selves starving, desperation may drive
them far.
IF a food catastrophe can be pre-
vented this winter the present gov
eminent can carry Germany safely to
constitutional assembly and to the
establishment Of permanent gov
eminent based on the will of the ma
jority,
1.-THE former food system is made
quate for the quantities of food IN
hand are pitifully small. We must
frankly admit, in our present state
of revolutionary disorganization. that
we cannot feed ourselves through the
coming winter. Starvation is already
felt and we are menaced with fam
inc. IL this condition should con-
tinue, the orderly progress toward
democracy will be disrupted"
America Must Send Food.
"Nhat we fear in America | said,
''is that Germany will become Bolshe-
vik and we may find ourselves reed
ing the sworn enemies OF democra-
cy."
"Bolshevism will not come in Ger
many if there are food and work,
was The reniy. 1.-THE temper of Ger
many is rot Bolshevik and it cannot
be made so, but famine may destroy
TeSlSt31Gef WHICH lActS tlilNtA'S SNN'A
weakened seriously, and desperate
people may follow the guidance OF
demagogues.
"If Germany should become Boil
shevik in such circumstances, that
change in the temper of the people
will constitute a serious menace Tor
other lands, for Bolshevism will
spread from our borders into all OF
Europe.
This danger can be averted If we
can eat If America wishes to help
Germany establish herself firmly on
a democratic basis, saving us from
the autocracy of an emperor or OF the
proletariat. you must get food to us
without delay.
"You say the attitude Of America
toward Germany is; No constitu-
tionaI assembly, no food I can only
reply. No food and there may be no
constitutional assembly
Z .