The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-03-20

should not be passed upon by the
boundaries commission, but deter
mined by the council itself, because of
their vast Importance and difficulties.
These include the frontier disputes
between Italy and Juge-Slovakia.
The commission on waterways,
ports and railways recommended that
the Rhine and the Kiel canal be opened
to free navigation by all nations, the
former to be controlled by an interna-
tional commission and the latter to
remain under German ownership and
operation.
Poland probably will be granted the
desired outlet to the Baltic sea, and
it is likely she will be given Danzig
and the entire Vistula valley. This
would cut off east Prussia and IL is
believed that state will be set up as
separate republic, in accordance
with the wishes of large part of its
population. The violent opposition
which these measures may arouse in
Germany probably will render adj
visable the sending to Poland of Cen
eral Haller's two divisions Of Poles
now In France.
That the Germans must have food
quickly If the food of bolshevik and
Spartacan anarchy is to be stay ca is
the fiat statement Of many who should
know, including Secretary Lansing. In
this policy there is no pity for the
Huns; ii is merely a matter Of self
protection for the rest of Europe If
not for the world. Investigators for
the allies do not agree with the state
ments that there is plenty of food in
most of Germany, and the great ma
jority of authorities are convinced
that the anarchistic movement in CEN
trail Europe is feeding on hunger and
can be checked by provisions. The
Ebert government virtually threatened
to lie down and let the Spartacans
have their own way If the allies did
not consent to feed Germany. Whether
or not the threat was bluff. Ii has
worked. With this was involved the
matter of the surrender of German
merchant shipping, and the Huns in
duced the allies to agree to revictual
Germany until the next harvest II the
ships were given up. Letting a de-
feated nation dictate thus to its con-
querors was said by some to be seri-
Gus blunder, but its worst effect prob
ably will be to encourage the Germans
to be stubborn on other questions
where the allies cannot afford to yield.
Three hundred thousand tons Of Ger
man shipping now In German ports
has been allocated to the United
States. In addition about 100000 tons
Of German shipping informed in Chill
can waters was allocated to America
but this may not be accepted IL the
shipping board finds the necessary re-
pairs would not be justified If the
vessels are to be used by us for a
short period.
The internal condition Of Germany
Is described as almost hopeless. There
has been continuous fighting In Berlin
and other centers, and while the Spar
tacans have generally got the worst
of it, they are persistent and very des-
perate. In the suburbs Of the capital
the battles were especially bloody,
Lichtenberg seeing the most sanguin-
airy encounters. The government
troops used artillery and mine throw
ers there and after some days sue
ceeded In ousting the Spartacans.
Many prisoners were taken and were
summarily executed. The reds devot-
ed a great deal Of their attention to
plundering the shops. Politically, the
majority socialists are not meeting
with great success or inspiring much
enthusiasm in the people. Hugo Haase
and the minority socialists are grow
ing stronger, and some observers say
the only salvation from the cOmmun-
ism or chaos they would bring about
Is In the new democratic party which
is getting into action. The fact that
the chief Of this party Is Count Won
Bernstorff will not give 1t much stand
ing with the allies. 1t is to be noted,
too. that Doctor Albert, former leader
Of plots and propaganda In the United
States. has been given cabinet posi-
ton under Scheidemann. One can al
most discern, already, the finish of the
so-called German revolution against
autocracy. Even now. 1t Is reported,
the people are virtually ignoring the
national assembly and Its delibera-
tons.
Seemingly, Lenine and Trotsky have
given up any idea OF coming to terms
with the rest Of the world, and are GO
Ing ahead with their plan of forcing