Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-10-13
Won DER GOLTz

General Won der Goltz has constructed a puzzle up
near the Baltic which bids fair to be as difncult Of solu-
ton as that created by DAnnunzio on the shores Of ths
Adrdatic. There are points of similarity between the two,
but there are differences as well. One Of the differences
is that whereas DAnnunzio invaded Fiume from with
OUT, the German general merely remained where he was.
When the armistice went into effect the German
ritory in the Baltic district but considerable portions Of
Russia as well. Tentative movements had been made in
the direction of Petrograd, and the capture Of that city
by the Germans would have occasioned no surprise, as
the Russian resistance had melted away and the west
eFn powers had not sufficient forces in the vicinity to
withstand any movements in force. The armistice terms
required the withdrawal Of all German forces from oc-
cupied territory, and the terms Of the peace treaty pro-
vtded that Germany should abandon oil authority over
considerable sections Of East Prussia, and should with
draw her troops from that district as well.
German troops were withdrawn slowly, and some Of
them were not withdrawn at all. In reply to renon-
strances which the Allies made from time to time at the
delay in carrying out the arranged terms, the German
authorities replied that the withdrawal was being ef-
fected as rapidly as was consistent with the maintenance
of order in the territory about to be abandoned. The
Allies have continued to urge greater speed, and the Ger.
mans to make their customary reply, until the Germans
were threatened with the immediate revival Of of the
food blockade if they did not act inmedia tely.
The objections of the Allied council has been direct
ed particularly to the activities of General Won der Goltz,
who' at the head OF a considerable army, seemingly we'll
organized ana equipped has been carrying on military
operations OF some magnitude. These operations were
ostensibly against Bolshevik forces, Organized and
guerilla, who, according to the German statements. were
certain to sweep through the Baltic provinces and carry
on their customary work of destruction there if the pro-
tecting arm Of the German force were withdrawn. On
the throat of a roc,,n,p tIop re ~. ,-1--, --,
OF the situation developed. The German government de-
olared its earnest desire to comply with the wishes of the
Allies, but professed itself bowerless to do so. It de-
clared that it has ordered Won Ter Goltz and his troopers
home. and they would not come. The government could
not go and get them without sending still moro forces
into the northeastern provinces. The refusal of the gen
eral TO obey orders had been followed. it was stated, by
MS summary o1scharse from the service, by the stoppage
of pay Of himself and his men, and by the cessation OF
the shipment Of munitions and supplies to them.
Accepting the German explanation at its face, the
recalcitrant German ;forcs%is acting, solely on its own
initiative, and without the authority, Of it's government.
which has r~epudiated it. II the German government were
willing to send an army to corral it's mutineors and bring
them home, such an operation would be looked on with
scant favor among the Allies, for they have no special
desire to see German troops operating away from, home
under any pretext. But. according to statements which
give the German government credit for good faith. that
government, though said to be DESTROYS Of the return Of
its forces, is also said not to dare.to attempt to bring them
nome by fosce because Of the practical certainty that
other German troops could not be found to whom such =
task could safely be entrusted. According to this. view,
the German government has lost control Of the forces
under Won der Goltz, and recognizes the existence Of such
a strong nilitaristic spirit in the remainder Of its army
that it is afraid to trust it.
Are the official explanations to be taken at their race
value. and. II they are. or II they are not, what is to be
done about it?