The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-02-18
(London TimesPhil. Ledger Cop. Cable.)
(By Charles Tower.)


Weimar, Feb. 15.-Delayed) lin a
supplementary reply to a question
regarding Germany's military forces,
President Ebert writes me:
"Of course, the future organization
of Germany's armed forces depends
entirely upon the issue of the peace
negotiations and the form the league
of nations will take after the con-
clusion of peace"
This should, therefore, be added to
his remarks already cabled ahead.
In connection with the peace dele
gates, the president informs me that
the new premier, Philip Scheide-
man. probably will go to Versailles.
| also put a question as to the -ex-
tent to which Germany's industries
already had been converted from a
war to a peace footing and received
the following reply:
"The conversion of war industries
is already in full progress and is
proving easier than many people ex-
pected. Numerous factories, espe-
cially the textile plants, are inaa posi-
tion to begin work at once as soon
as the necessary raw materials ar
rive. I may add that in the opinion
of industrial experts a comparatively
small amount of cotton is sufficient
to restore this industry to such an
extent as to enable 1t to supply do
mestic demands. In any case, a sup
ply of raw material is the key to the
whole problem of unemployment. In
connection with the reasons for the
growing unemployment, partly mis-
leading representations are being cir
culated. 1t is true that in some of
the large cities a sort of unwilling
ness to work has asserted itself, a
condition which is not to be wondered
at after four years of war. but which
is being combated by the government
with every means in its power. j
must, however. emphasize the fact
that unemployment is largely caused
by the sharpened blockade and the
compulsory surrender of rolling stock.
Just today we received a report from
the miners leader that production Of
coal has been diminished owing to
the shortage of trucks"
Call Kaiser to Account.
also asked President Ebert what
attitude the government. as now for
mally constituted, will take on the
question of the kaiser's responsible
ity for the war and his possible ex-
tradition from Holland. Some time
ago President Ebert had said this
would be a question for the national
assembly: he now writes:
"Should an investigation show the
kaiser's guilt. the German govern
ment would of it's own accord take
steps to call him to account as it
would any other Germans RESPONSE
hln fny. Tho hrdair nf tho ~
both cases G suppose this means
whether guilty or not guilty: it is
not explained in the text the gov
ernment steadfastly maintains that
the kaiser. even if he has fed from
the country, must be considered a
citizen of the German republic and
entitled to the enjoyment of all the
benefits of law and justice to which
any citizen of the new Germany has
a claim"
! next asked what measures Ger
many has in view and to what ex-
tent she considers she can be called
upon to provide money and labor for
the restoration of Belgium and north
ern France. His reply follows:
THE seventh point of President
Wilson's program reads, Belgium
must be evacuated and restored.
Without this remedial action the
whole structure and validity of in
ternational law is destroyed for
ever
I'VE accepted Mr. Wilson's pro-
gram without reservation. hence we
also accepted restoration. hut we can
not at present say by what means
or at what period that is TO he done,
since our completely exhausted coun-
try IL not even in a position to effect
its own restoration to any great ex-
tent. We are bankrupt of raw mate
rials and our finances are wrecked.
II is only with the utmost difficulty
that a hungry people keeps the peace.
As things are we shall best and soon
est serve the restoration of Belgium
II We begin putting our whole work
ing force into stemming the tide OF
Germany's complete ruin"
Much attention having been drawn
by the German press of late to the
action against bolshevism of the old
Prussian permanent. officialdon. and
it having been widely suggested in
the lobbies of the national assembly
that ultimately any government will
have to fall back on this trained and
once incorruptible orga~ization 10
save the country from anarchy and
carry on the public affairs. 7 drew
these suggestions 10 the presidents
notice. He replied as, follows:
Tho German government has re-
oestedly ACKNOWLEDGED with wrrrnth
the great services ct the old oficial-