The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-05-14
THE POLITICAL
 SITUATION IN
 NEW GERMANY
CCopyright, 1919, by the International
 News Bureau, InC.)

political situation in Germany is the fact that the Government is inse- cure.
 In the first place, the Republic and Socialism do not appeal to the Bourgeous, and have so far given the workers no reason for satisfac- ton.
 Secondly, the leaders Scheideman. Noslze, Brockderff- Rantzau and the others neither have personality, in fluence, nor policy and are not real ly trusted by their own supporters. Thirdly, the troops are bound to loyalty to their leaders, and not to the Government, and the leaders sup port the Government for the sake of law and order, and in the hopes of re- building an army which will support a subsequent reaction towards a nm tied monarchy.
 Fourthly, the continuous propa- ganda of the Spartacists and lnde- pendents, and of the old Conserva- tives, National Liberals, etc
 Fifthly, the Government cannot en- force their positions because they cannot (a) satisfy the workers by an Immediate prospect of improved con ditfons as promised: (b) secure more support from the right of better peace conditions, more energetic measures against the Communists, and by the restoration of industry.
 Militarists Fear of Hanging.
 The position in South Germany presents fresh difficulties. The States with the Rhineland and Brunswick are virtually independent, and can not be brought under real control by the use of Prussian troops, which are insufficient in numbers.
 The effects on the people of the in sincerity of the Government are des- pair and fear the most desperate be- ing the MiIitarists and the Indus triaIists. The former fear that an In dependent Socialistic Movement will come in, disarm them and ultimately hang their leaders.
 The great Industrialists are looking in every direction to save their necks and their money. They are willing to come to almost any terms in order to be able to save something from the wreck with which to begin again. There are persistent rumors that Americans are negotiating for the purchase of considerable holdings in German Business.
 Hopeless Middle Class.
 The bureaucracy is still royal, but feels It's position to be very shaky. The small officials, especially the policemen, are afraid to do their duty in case Eichorn or his friends come back to office.
 The middle class are hopeless. They are crushed by the prices of food and clothing and by taxation, and ter rified by the daily Increase in crime and violence. The young men are seeking for employment in any direc- tion; many are hoping for employ Dit r, armies, or seeking to find some op- portunity of emigration. Others are playing with Ideal Communism. The most significant indication of the feel ings of the middle classes Is that they are squandering their savings on wine and other luxuries in order te make life tolerable.
 The peasants want more land, and land hunger will be general in Ger many in the immediate future. The peasant has reached the limits of en- durance with regard to food control. which he is beginning to resist. He is afraid of raids by armed work men from the towns, and both Elk tremists are encouraging him to arm himself against them.
 No class appears to have any hope of the future (except from the Al lies) as regards-(a) Averting Bol- shevism; (b) settling with present chaos; Co starting again.
 Other Dominant Conditions.
 The following conditions also in- = fluence the general situation:-
 The Probable Peace Terms-The questions of Danzig and of the East ern fronteir arouse great interest (a) because of food; (b) because nc one believes that the Poles will form a stable State, or be a protection against Russian Bolshevism.
 Food conditions need considerable and speedy amelioration, especra1iy in the towns.
 Transport is disorganized and badly hampered. Much can be done to re- lieve the situation (a) by raising the coastal blockade between Emden ana Iibau, and (b) by permitting imme. diate import of good lubricating mat erial, copper and some orner raw materials, which would diminish the number of breakdowns and improve both the speed and ease with which repairs can be made.
 F-inance.-Money has temporarily lost all real value. The amount O. paper in circulation is too large, in Hates prices, and increases the ten dency to extrava gance. This extra vagance is first-class Bolshevik pro paganda amongst the poor.
 Fear of Bolshevism.-Thisi is gen uine and has a hypnotic effect. It f. encouraged by all parties for thei own purposes. The danger of Bo1she visn is real and immediate.
 (a) This very fear helps to bring i about.
 Cb) Ideal communism is beginninl to spread as a, religion. It is als, played with by the Independents who think they can stop halfway
 Co It is supported by a brillian and unceasing propaganda with tn help of large sums of foreign German money and of Russian rubles, il which there is secret speculation, il spite of Government action.
 (d) The movement is finely or ganized and very ably led. Plans ar' made in grea; secrecy and carried ou to the minute while a certain contro appears 10 have been obtained owe the Press of all the parties.
 Aims of the Royalists.
 The two alternatives to the presen government are;--
 (a) A Royaiist Reactionary Gov ernment, and
 (b) An Independent Socialist Tom rorDist Government