The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-11
A BIG HUN ARMY
Capable of Placing 8 Million
Men in the Field.
London Sees New Peril Ahead
for the Allies.

London, Feb. 11.-British newspa-
pers Of all shades of opinion are de-
voting serious attention to the attitude
adopted by the German government
toward the armistice conditions.
The Daily News's Paris correspond
ent sends a dispatch from 'authori-
tative sources" on the subject, in
which he says his informant told him
that he had the best reason to believe
that Germany is not continuing to de-
mobilize.
"She has now concentrated more
than eighteen divisions under Won
Hindenburg on the western 'front.'" the
correspondent quotes its informant as
saying. I'VE also have the best rea
sons to believe that Germany is keep
ing her troops under arms on the pre-
text of economic necessity German
rehabilitation is a condition to our
demobiliza ton. and therefore dis
bandment is impossible SO long as Ger
MANY does not continue to demobiliZe.
allied military authorities consider
the time has now arrived for Germany
to give up her military strength-that
she be brought to such a. condition
that she cannot resist later the con-
ditions of-peace now being prepared.
The allied theory always has been that
we shall frame conditions which Ger
many. will have to accept. and that
there is nothing to discuss, except as
regards details.
"For this reason, Germany is trying
to keep up her military strength, SO
that she can send q delegate to the
peace congress for a thoro military
discussion on the peace conditions i'm
posed.
ION this point the French National
Socialist party and its extreme left
wing is strongly opposed to anything
being done to save Germany from the
consequences of defeat. In this mat
ter the French government will be
supported by the entire nation"
The correspondent says he has been
Informed by competent British au-
thority that Marshal Foch made a
declaration Of somewhat serious
character at . meeting of the supreme
war council"
HE feels" this authority is quoted
as saying, that the Germans are be-
ginning TO forget that they are beaten.
They are apt to forget that we are in
a state of war. They have been slow
in handing over transport and other
things. They are causing a great deal
of difficulty.
I'VE are demobilizing fast; they are
not continuing to demobil;ze. There
is danger of Germany saying. We dc
not care anything about your League
of Nations and we have got ou1
troops Unless z change takes place
we might be faced with a situation in
which Germany, as regards the mum
| Der of men N the field. will have three
men as against the allies two.
+ According to Marshal Fech's esti-
mate, the Germans are now capable OF
placing an army of million in the
field in two months time
To Cut the Force Down.
| The correspondent adds: 1T is de-
sired to make a renewal of the wal
impossible under the conditions to be
| laid down February IT. The terms
! suggested, include the handing over OF
the whole of the German artillery;
compulsory reduction of the German
army to twenty-five divisions, with
machine guns for the internal polio
| ing of the empire. and occupation by
the allies of the Ruhr district, which
| includes Essen
During an important debate or
these proposals, the further suggestion
was made that in view of Germany's
attitude the allies should also revert
to the initial demand for the handing
over of transports, which was modi.
| fed on account of Germany's pisa o!
| imp oSSib lty"