El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-12-27
GERMANS SHOW
CONTEMPT FOR
GOVERNMENT
People More Restricted
Than Ever Under Pres
ent Regime.
COUNTRY WEARY
OF ALL POLITICS

DERLdN. Germany. Dec 27.-It fl
ID not yet possible TO predict tn,
future Of Germany with any feeling
OF confidence. The country has beer
too violently overthrown. too thor
.oughly shaken Up for # to have re-
covered from its bewilderment The
people are dazed-so much has hap
pened in the last 12 months that
they cannot get the new state Of
things into focus
Tho Germany Of nearly half a
century has been flung into the
melting pots idols and aspirin
lions Of the past have been
shntteredi the nation. brenthless
from its struggles, T. seeking TO
regain ifs equilibrium. somehow
hut without any distinct notion
OF what IL TO come next.
A year ago the cry was "A free
democracy. and down with militar-
ism" Today the people ruled by a
Socialist government. finds itself
with its liberties more restricted than
ever while mi.itarism- which was
anathema 12 months back. rules su-
preme in the guise Of military law.
Weary Of Politiea-
The country as z whole Is weary
20 death Of politics. In the rural dis
trlcts the peasants only want 10
work 20 till. SOW and reap, and 10
live in peace. The population in the
manufacturing ceuters might also
find salvation and happiness in work:
but here the question OF raw nate
rial crop Up. and q is on this question
that Germany's future largely de-
pends. At the present deprecated
worth Of the mark Germany cannot
import raw material in any quantity
She exports what she can, but the
supply available is limited her fac
tories, which are already only work
ing part time, viii be forced 10 close
down unless a solution be found
enabling Germany 10 procure nlateri-
ais reasonably.
The labor unrest, the strikes and
general dissatisfaction are due 10 the
absence OF work. The endeavor 70
foneut a strike for political ends has
failed the majority Of the workers
viii only strike for economic reasons.
People show Indifference.
The present government is re-
Earded with indifference. Noske has
suffered "a popular esteem by the
way in which he yields TO the milf
tary point Of view and protect Of
ficers who openly insulted the gov
eminent, as Ia the case OF Col Rein
hard. who spoke OF the new Republic
can flag as -the nag OF the Jewish
fnanciers.7 and OF the government
as that rotton lot
Erzberger, the apostle OF economy.
spent the summer at an expensive
hotel in Switzerland.
His Socialist friends are sln talk
ing about 1t.
The president himself is every
body's butt There is a new joke
about him every day; any hope he
may have had Of commanding the re-
gard OF the people was shattered by
the notorious photograph Of Ebert
iu his bathing attire" The German
people have been so used TO looking
Up 10 their leader that their presi-
dent must be a man 70 whom they
can turn with respect II IS 20 be
feared that Mr. Ebert viii not enjoy
a long tenancy Of his new s5.O00.0 900
palace. for which. doubtless. Mrs.
Ebert win be devoutly thankful.
Military Party small.
There IS only one party in the re-
public that knows its own mind. and
that one is the military party. It Is
a small party. but It
Is determined one. led BY men used
% organizing and used 10 leading.
With the present negative desires OF
he greater part OF the people this
smau but determined body may do
: good deal They barely disguise
heir desire 20 see an emperor on the Z
throne once morei they are not
lurryinE.
They are hiding their time and
VIII choose their opportunity.
Other parties are laundering
along gunrrelluE with each
other and not helping Germany
ont Of her troubles.
II while they are talking and I
.quabbling the one party that knows 4
Is own mind should strike a blow.
{ would be extremely likely 20 rally /
ounu It's standard the masses Of peo- Z
ile who are waiting for a lead.