The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-02-14

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IENN its main energies to a
NH League of Nations, and be-
EeaSsssa ginning the long and diff
TEJEV cult task of hearing and re-
~5 solving the rival claims OF
new nations which conflict
alike with each other and with at least
one of the Entente powers a new in
fluence and fresh cause for apprehen-
sion is making itself felt. With in.
credible swiftness, Germany has ACHE
we'd reorganization of her domestic
affairs and is beginning to make her
new power and purpose felt. 1t is of
the utmost Importance that America
should understand this new phenom-
enon. for 1t is bound in the succeed
ing weeks to exercise a profound in
fluence upon events in Paris.
Three months ago at the moment
OF the armistice, Germany was fiat.
torn by internal disorders; the spirit
of her people shaken, the menace Of
Bolshevism present in Berlin and a
score OF larger cities. For the moment
Germany was negligible factor, COM
PEELED to surrender her fleet, much of
her heavy artillery, many of her in
struments OF war. In this situation and
in something OF the conquerers of Ma.
poleon. when the great emperor was
relegated to Elba, the victorious alli-
ance set about remaking Europe and
the world In a lcisurely fashion. There
was no longer an enemy in the field.
There was no longer any power ca
pable of disputing the will of the vic
tors.
Germany Finds Herself
But in three months, with speed
beyond belief, Germany has found her.
self. First, she suppressed the Boil
sheviks. second. she held an election.
almost Incredible In that 1t revealed
the old political parties still unshaken
In their substantial hold upon the
electorate. fsss rs Ts's
To be sure the Social Democrats
mysteriously increased their represen.
tation. but they could not obtain a
complete majority. The new National
Assembly contains a clear majority
OF members of the old Reichstag, who
belonged to political faiths which were
consenting and enthusiastic support
ers of Imperial Germany.
This new national legislature sum-
moned to meet at Weimar and not at
Berlin, disguised in all respects to give
an impression of the reality of a new
Germany, democratic and cured of old
diseases, is in fact, composed of the
same men as in the past. and 1t has
met, and in it's very first session,
given a taste of what is to be eX-
pecled.
Germany Determined.
Not beaten nor repentant Germany,
but Germany refrigerated and deter
mined to pursue her old pathway of
national greatness, has already begun
to challenge the right of her victors
to impose terms. 1t has taken up
arms to repress Polish aspirations,
legitimate aspirations based upon the
right of self determination, and it has
defied the orders of the Entente Pow
ers with respect to Poland.
But even this is minor detail. the
real German purpose is revealed not
only at Weimar. it is being expressed
with even greater clarity at Berne.
where in a world assembly of Social
lists. German representatives are now
showing themselves prepared to trans
Sorm the whole face of the situation
and save Germany all just conse-
quence of her crime by invoking not
only the doctrines Of Socialism, but
the pronouncements Of President Will
son.
in Weimar In Berne. in all districts
occupied by American troops, a
mighty German propaganda designed
to separate America from it's Euro
pean comrades. designed to persuade
America to become the champion of
Germany against the European ma
tions she has wronged and in the end
enable Germany. by escaping retribu-
tive justice In the shape of indemni-
ties for her wanton devastation, to
win the war
German Propaganda.
The burden of this monstrous Ger
man propaganda Is this, I'VE Germans
have set our house in order. We have
dethroned our emperor and our primo
es We have become Democracy, in
fact, and all responsibility for the
crimes Of the past must he placed
upon those whom We have exiled Of
the old order.
1t is an act Of injustice, a deed OF
violence to make us new democratic
Germany. pay for damage done by the
wicked old imperialistic regime Here
we are with clean hands and reformed
national spirit asking to associate our
selves as equals with nations which
pretend to accept President Wilson's
Fourteen Principles, but in fact,
France, Britain and their associates
are not seeking just peace.
They are seeking to take our money,
our resources. and our provinces for
imperIanstic reasons, and to destroy
Germany. The great indemnities they
would levy are unjust burdens they
are seeking to place upon our backs
to their own economic profit. We
alone accept President Wilson's doc
-1rines as he meant them, we alone
Ask for a healing peace. We are a
new, pure democratic nation"
Hope to Escape.
It is as If murderer suddenly got
religion and demanded that all his
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