The sun., 1919-07-21
SOUTH GERMANY IS
LIKENED TO VOLCANO
Quiet Just Now, but Holds Po-
tentials of 0utburst at
Any Time.
By LINDSAY PARKER.
Special Gable Despdtch 10 TIE Sun from the
London Times Service.

London Times Service.
Copyright 1912: all rights reserued
MUNICH. July 20.--Although the gen.
eral situation Is still grave in South
Germany, the worst troubles Seem to
be over, but no one can with any GER
tainty foresee what turn events may
take. Very divergent opinions are ex-
pressed, varying between moderate OPP
timsm and extreme pessimsm. People
feel that they are living on a volcano
which may or may not become suddenly
alive. The signing of the peace treaty
has at any rate had one good effect. for
people now know exactly what they have
to face. which is better than the precious
uncertainty. Moreover. knowing that
the blockade has been raised, they arc
taking a more hopeful view of the situa-
ton and confidently looking forward
to better conditions Of life.
1t is now tolerably certain that the
Spartacans have received a serious set.
back. They have few sympathizers. and
are not likely to be able to restart an
orga nized revolutionary movement be-
yond the promotion of strikes and riots
in various centres with little chance OF
permanent success, though large sums
Of Russian money are being spent by
foreign Bolshevist agents.
The Sphrtacans are not only leaderless.
but also unarmed. and 1t is unlikely that
they will be able to smuggle sufficient
quantities Of arms and ammunition into
the country unless the volunteer army
becomes affected and creates disturb
aIices on the same scale as previously
Owing to the present army being
chiefly composed of students and former
officers OF the old army who are now en-
listed in the ranks, general diesatistac-
ton is unlikely. The troops receive high
rates of pay and are constantly changed,
seldom remaining in the same district
for more than two months.
An outbreak of general strikes in all
parts of Germany simultaneously, which
is difficult TO organize, owing to the dit
ferent conditions prevailing in the diff
ferent States. constitutes the only real
menace, for the army would then be
numerically insufficient to deal with the
situation. In view of this contingency
It appears inadvisable at present TO re-
duce further the number of troops but
rather to increase it until conditions
improve.
At present reductions OF the army. be-
sides probably leading to a further out
break of rioting. would also add to the
number of unemployed who during the
last week in Munich have been reduced
from 10000 to $4,000. The unemployed
are receiving q pension OF SIX fnPEkS
daily. \ greater number have now been
indicted to work on land and as soon
as raw materials are imported there
opening of factories will provide work
for many more.
1t is obviously impossible to hold the
Spartacans in check by force indefinitely
and prompt Importation of food is
therefore of the utmost urgency. The
solution of the problem is more a ques-
tion of the high cost of foodstuffs than
anything else. Until reductions in prices
are effected, troubles are bound to con-
tinUe. The Bavarian State finances show
that at present there Is a delcit OF 514,-
eoe. 900 marks $12S,000,000) and the
Soviet during its five weeks reign of
terror disposed of more than 100. 600 900
marks.
II is generally believed that as con-
ditons become more normal people
who are naturally orderly will come to
their senses and Spartacism will die a
natural death. The bulk OF the pco-
pie favor law and order and are sin
cerely DESTROYS OF fulfilling to the best
of their ability the obligations imposed
by the peace treaty il given fair
chance. 1t becomes more and more evil
dent that the country is we'll able to
deal with the situation and that Spar
tacism Will never obtain a permanent
footing throughout the empire.