New-York tribune., 1919-03-20
Germany Like
Doomed FelOn,
Says Maurice
Fate Should Be Settled Soon
to End Uncertainty Of
the People, He Advises
League Cure for Unrest
Sir Frederick Fears for
Europe if Popular De-
mand Is Disappointed

"It is of the utmost importance to
get the peace terms with Germany set
tied at the earliest possible moment,
because the German people feel them
selves in the position of a condemned
man nervousiy awaiting his doom. If
we keep them in their present nervous
state we may drive them to commit
suicide in the form of red revolution"
This point was emphasized by Major
General Sir Frederick B. Maurice, X.
c. M. G., c. b., in an interview on the
European situation, given shortly after
his arrival yesterday from Halifax, N.
S., where he disembarked from the
Carmania.
General Maurice, who was director
of military operations of the British
General Staff from 1915 to 1918, is
here to deliver series of lectures on
the peace conference and league of ma
tions.
Soon after his arrival General Maurice
called upon Major General John f.
Organ, commander Of New York's
9th Division.
General O'Ryan," said the British
general, told me he always had found
the British commanders, officers and
men perfectly raightforward, because
if they thought they could do a Job
they did it, and if they thought they
could not they said so. l can return
that compliment. When the 9th Divi-
sion broke through the Hindenburg
line with the British 4th Army General
Rowlnson, commander of the 4th
Army, said to me: THE reason the 4th
Army loved the Americans was because
they knew when the Americans were
man to do it,.
Thinks League Essential
Speaking of the league of nations
General Maurice sad
~ think the constitution of the
league SO far put forward was meant
to be draft subject to amendment
and revision, and the more constructive
criticism there is of this draft the
better will be its final form | am
sincerely of the opinion that the status
in Europe is such that if we cannot
arrive at constitution on general
lines, and if America cannot see it's
way to accepting a part of some kind
in the league, the last state of Europe
will be worse than the first.
"The people of Europe who have been
| fighting in this war have had burned
is going to be some new form Of gov
ernment that will relieve them from
the dangers they have been exposed to
in the past. If they do not get this
change there is the possibility of their
taking the law into their own hands.
$50 far the Spartacist movement in
Germany has no great force of public
opinion behind it,. There was danger
that has to certain extent since been
eliminated, of its spreading. The feel
ing of the German people is that they
have been let down badly by the
Kaiser and the militarist party of Ger
many. They recognize they have made
a mistake, but they do not recognize
their moral guilt"
When asked whether he would dis
cuss the incident in which he criti-
cised Lloyd George and the British
government over the disposition of the
, . British forces, criticism that led to
his own retirement, General Maurice
said: "That question is still a mat
ter of controversy, and we should no,
stir up controversies until after peace
, has been settled"
Irish Question to Come Later
Asked about self determination fol
Ireland, he made the same reply, ane
added, ~ am an Irishman myself. Th,
government has left it alone because
if raised it would seriously interfere
, with the settlement of peace with Ger
many, which is the main point in view
4 at present. AS soon as this is don,
e we should take off our coats and set
Y tie the Irish and other questions"
G General Maurice was in Pari.
t throughout the sessions of the peace
7. conference until he left for this coun
2, try. Speaking of the internal stua
IS ton of England and the policy of tn
r British government regarding the arm,
r of occupation, he said:
t. The British army will have to b
d. maintained at strength of abou
1t 100000 men. Of this number 10000
~ will form the army of occupation o.
e. the Rhine. The remainder will forr
I'd the army of occupation in Palestine
E. Mcsopotamia, Constantinople, ETC., an
forces for garrison duty in the Fa
,r East.
'e "The labor situation in England
ID one of unrest, but when I left 1t be
r. gan to look much more hopeful. 1t look
~ as if the employers and employees wi
be able to compromise under the pres