The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-15

TIME danger OF greater Ger
many emerging from the
= peace settlement as the pos
sible outcome OF the disemberment Of
Austro- Hungary and the express de-
sire Of German-Austria to throw in its
future with Germany, is being con-
sidered seriously by observers OF con-
tinental conditions. Sir Sidney Low
in an article in the Sunday Pictorial
OF London Just before the armistice,
discusses possible compensations for
defeat that would leave Germany, in
case she holds together under some
form Of central government. still the
greatest Power in Surope. He wrote:
Has Germany really lost the war
The question, on the face Of II, looks
ridiculous. In the military sense,
there Is no doubt that Germany has
lost the war. But II Is not yet SO GER
tain that she has been completely de-
feated in the political and economic
arena, and II Is even yet possible that
she might emerge with some Of the
tangible advantages OF victory, unless
the definite peace measures Of the
Allies are wisely and carefully directed
to prevent such a result
The situation is 30 fluid, and events
are moving with such disconcerting
rapidly that anything may happen In
Germany. Germany may fall into a
Bolshevik chaos, or she may break up
into a group OF dis1ointed little re-
publics like Austria Hungary. One
cannot tell, though another week may
give US enlightenment.
But let US assume that Germany
will retain her unity and organic
cohesion and her national self-con-
seriousness, even though she gets rid
Of her Hohenzollerns and exchanges
her autocracy for constitutionalism or
democracy. suppose that this is now
the main purpose of her statesmen
and political leaders
Must Hold Nation Together.
They must want to keep Germany
together. knowing that in spite OF the
shocking humiliations she must en-
dure. in spite OF the military collapse,
and the forfeiture OF colonies and ter
rttory. in spite of the heavy compen-
sation she will have to pay for the
wrongs she has inflicted, there is still
a possibility Of saving much from the
wreck, and even Of acquiring some at
least OF those substantial advantages
she had in view when she embarked
upon her atrocious adventure in 1914.
This Is not a mere paradox. II the
balance sheet OF the war were struck
to-day Germany would have a good
deal to set down to the credit side OF
her account, though her armies have
been shattered and her pride humbled
to the dust She is to be disarmed and
chastiSed, but II she does not go 10
pieces she will remain a great Power,
and in comparison with her neighbors
In some respects a greater Power
outside the military sphere than she
was five years ago.
TN the summer Of 1914 Germany
was hemmed IN between three formid-
able and mighty neighbors-France
Russia and Austria Hungary. Russia
lay much behind Germany In wealth
and organization, but then she far ex-
oelled her In population and natural
resources. All the ITO, o0o, 900 OF the
Cars subjects and the immense
| potentialities OF his royal empire were
at the disposition OF an autocratic CEN
trail government which might be, and
at times had been. a menace to Ger
many.
Austria had a somewhat smaller
population than Germany. but her
territory wns larger and richer. her
people were intelligent, civilized and
industrious: her military capacity, as
the war has shown. considerable. Her
rulers had chosen to make her a
brilliant second to the Teutonic Power,
but she had been the rival OF Russo
Germany before and might become 70
again At any rate, even in her sub
| servtenny, she was a formidable coun-
terweight in Mitteleuropa and needed
to be anxiously watched by tho diplo-
matistS and stratesists of Berlin.
Weak Place Geographically.
THE geographical position Of Prussia
has always been weak. II was the
/ explanation, II not tho excuse, of some
OF her historic crimess for from Fred
erick 10 bismarck her rulers and
statesmen have been haunted by the
! fear of enlightenment
The war has delivered her from the
age long obse ssion. Tho Carbon and
the Dual Monarchy have disappeared
from the map. There Is no Russia
there is no Austria Instead of the
great armed empires which pressed
close upon the vulnerable frontiers of
Germany there will DO only a patch
work of minor States. Poland, Boz
hernia. Hungary and Ulrainla, Lith-
uanis. LivoniS. none rtsinS to the tirst