The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-27
GERMAN FATE
STAKED ON RACE
BY FOOD SHIPS
American Cargoes Pitted
Against Bolshevism to
Save Country.
GOVERNMENT IN PERIL
Situation in Hungary Adds
to Fright Over Inroads by
Trotzky's Followers.
POLICE SHOW TIMIDITY
Few Leaving Country-Only
$3.50 in Money Can Be
Taken Out by Traveller.
By KARL II. ven w1EGAND.
sfd1 corresposdent Of TIE sus.

Copyright. 1919; sH ,iohts reserved.
THE HAGUE. March 2s.--Indications
are that the next fourteen days will
be crucial period for Germany. per-
haps the most serious crisis faced by
the present Socialist Democratic Gov
eminent, which is artifcially held to-
sether. Even II there be no outward
manifestation Of changes in the COM
plexion Of the Government the patho-
logical state OF the national mind will
have progressed so far within the fort
night as to be decisive as to whether
Germany can Withstand the march of
Bolshevism.
Since the happenings in Hungary
the forces OF Bolshevism literally have
been beating in the public mind against
the principles OF the new democracy
with a power that far distant America
cannot appreciate, while on the other
hand there is the long suspense and
uncertainty as TO the peace terms.
Between the two there Is the lack Of
food, which gradually weakens the re
sistance OF the mind.
Just now it is a race between Boil
shevism on one hand and American
foodships and peace on the other to
decide the fate Of Germany.
The situation promises to become
the most acute since the armistice was
signed. Food alone can steady the
people and the Government under the
shock that the peace terms are certain
to produce. Realizing this. the Gov
ernment is exerting itself 70 the ut
most to get the flrst cartioAd Of food
from Holland across the border as a
concrete symbol for the people Of help
| from America and England.
; People sccptical About Food.
Z Alrost f1Ne months have elapsed since
! the promise OF food from outside was
made and the public has become ex-
! tremely sceptical, even suspicious The
Government knows that further prom
, ises, unless backed up in a material way,
! will not hold the situation long. but
although the gold demanded from Ger
/ many arrived In Rotterdam yesterday
food Is not yet reported to be moving
| toward Germany.
! The situation is analogous to a house
on fire whose arrogant owner is so
/ hated that the neighbors refuse water
: to put it out ard deliberate on what is
! the right moment to grant It in order
! TO insure destruction OF the house. for
getful In the meantime OF their own
danger.
/ BoLShevsm for a time was a not un-
welcome bogey for use against the vic
/ torious Allies. but since the episode In
Hungary there is real fright in all
circles There is unverifiabie talk. which
discredit. that II the Government de-
cides it cannot sign the terms OF peace
1t will put into effect plans already made
and retire In favor of the moderate
communietic independents rather thar
let the governing power fall into the
| hands OF the radical Bolsheytstic Sparta.
cans. especially as Hugo Haass, leader
OF the independents. has not been con
WINGED by the Communists. but has gone
with them merely to retain his hold or
his own party.
Two Parties Are Far Apart. %.
1t is significant that the present Tor.
eign Minister. Won Brockdorff- RantEau
and Herr Haase have been in touch re
Gently with Eduard Bernstein trJinl
hard to find common ground on which
both parties can stand, but they are Sc
far apart that they seem 10 be separated
Iby an unbridgeabie gulf Many hope
however, that the terms imposed by tn,
Allies will furnish the bridge.
The Spartacans hope the terms will no
be signed by Germany and believe tina
will be the signal for action. Many IN
dustrial chiefs openly declare they woulc
prefer Intervention to Bolsheyism Ever
the Russian Bolsehvists respected man!
OF the foreign industries. and there Is al
open invitation in Germany TO American
capital, both because II is necessary u
pulld up the country and for the reasor
that 1t would be protected against seizur,
in the event OF communism.
Some foreigners are preparing to TAX,