Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-02-06


north Russia and what they are ex-
pected to do there. is still much OF a
mystery and it engaged the attention
of the American senate last week when
Senator johnson of California vigor.
ously attacked the policy, or lack OF
policy, Of the administration in this
matter. The course that is being pur-
sued is equally displeaslng to many
Britishers, and the French never did
approve of It.
One important point concerning pay.
ment by Germany is reported to have
been, settled by the peace conference.
1t Was decided that while Germany
must make full reparation for unjusti-
fable damage done, she and her assO.
sclates will not be called on to pay
heavy indemnities to reimburse the vic
torious nations for their war expenses
Nor will German be compelled to rei
linquish the indl unity she took from
France In 1871. Belglum's reparation
claims Will have first consideration
and perhaps those Of Serbia will come
next l4s 4
On the eve Of the assembling Of the
German national convention in Wei
mar, the Ebert government seemed
firmly seated in the place Of pGker,
though there was q possibility Of com!
binations that would dominate it. The
Spartacans were in hopeless minor
ity, however, and there. was every rea
son to believe the revolution would
run the course laid out for 1t by the
old-time leaders, who never have relin
quished control actually. That the
change of form of government has moi
wrought a miraculous change Of the
German heart or the German intention
to rule is the opinion of General Gou
raud, the French commander, as 1t IL
Of many less well informed persons
This view is borne out by the increas
ingly insolent attitude Of the con
quered Huns, and by their naive sur
prise and indignation when they rea
lized that they might not be admitted
to membership in the league Of nations
Immediately and on an equality with
the nations that saved civilization
from their criminal assault.
A French expert has summarized the
policies of the present German govern
ment as follows:
lnterior-1. Complete unity. 2. Redil
vision of the nation for administrative
\ purposes into number of departments
approximately Of equal size without
taking account Of the present diyl.
sions.
Exterior. The annexation Of Ger
man Austria. 2. Opposition to- the for.
nation Of strong Poland
The annexation Of German, Austrio
may be baked by the formation of the
proposed Danube confederation Of All
the states alcng the Danube, Including
German Austria and Bulgaria, for II
is figured that If Germanyis permitted
to annex the part Of Austria she covets
she would be stronger.than ever in ter.
ritory and population.
A good deal Of excitement and some
resentment We're stirred up in Amer.
lea by the announcement Of British
embargo on many imports effective
March J.. Among the commodities
named are numerous American prod.
ucts, and those who seek to arouse
antagonism between the United States
and Great Britain We're quick to accuse
the British OF, starting a. trade war.
More reasonable persons recognize
that the embargo is an emergency
measure to help England in the re-
habilitation Of her industries and that
1t Is undoubtedly only temporary. At the
same time,- American business men
were aroused by it to the necessity OF
looking after our own place in world
trade.
Great Britain is having serious
time with the labor problem. Several
thousand workers in England, Wales
and Ireland have quit, either for more
pay or for shorter hours without re-
duction of wages. Belfast seems to be
in the worst predicament. for business
and transportation are virtually sus-
pended, riots are frequent, shops are
being looted every night and the city
is in darkness.
In the United States unpreparedness
for peace Is at the bottom Of great
deal of unrest concerning the unem.
ployrient Of returning soldiers. States
and communities are getting busy,
however, and 1t is hoped that soon
there will be positions for all, at least
as good as those they left to serve
their country.