The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-05-07
MILITARlSM GROWING :.
x: z: IN new GERMANY
BY Frank J. Taylor. i,

-, OcEllA, EpAA VIZ
Since its birth the German republic
has had to decide between two op-
posite extremes to maintain itself
and keep from being overthrown by
the radicals.
The two courses open, as the
Ebert Scheidemann cabinet saw
them, were.
1. Blowing to the demands of the
proletariat and becoming radical, al
most to the extent Of communism, or
at least extreme socialism.
g.. Becoming militaristic and fol-
lowing the methods of the old Ger
man government of crushing oppo-
sition by force.
More and more it ia becoming clear
that the cabinet chose the latter
course, probably in self-defense, and
under the pretext of saving Ger
many from bolsheyisu.
What is more serious, both to the
Germans and other peoples, is that
the German Republic is becoming
handy with militarism, and under
the cover of resisting bolshevism"
is evidently trying to hide the
strength of the republics military
machine.
Figuring that the new republic II
it were really pacific, would be will
ing to make a. '.'show-down' OF Ger
many's military strength to convince
the outside world of good intentions,
the United Press correspondent asked
the war office for some data.
Finally the war office sent for the
correspondent and an agreeable
young captain, explained how weak
Germany is at present, militarily.
He said Germany could not even re-
sist the holsheviks, If the latter
chose to rise.
Asked what the actual strength OF
the German forces is, the captain re-
piled that. the war office itself did
not know. This ignorance Of the
war office, he explained, by the fact
that numerous leaders were organ
izing new volunteer units. The cap
tain declined to guess the strength OF
the German = forces on the grounds
that he did not want the figures pub
lished "for fear the bolsheviks would
see how weak the militia Is and over
throw it,
Every man In the army is vol
unteer, according to the war office.
Berlin is crowded with soldiers scat
tered over the city, but this is due
to, the fact, says the war office, that
members Of the old army regulars
who are no longer on active duty,
have to be housed. Hence the
Crowded barracks. The war office
offered no explanation as to why
these men were fed: and housed,
though inactive; and: the active work
otrguarding Berlin is. done largely
by proyinc ial troops. :
Enlistment Is Indefinite, In the
volunteer units, with the condition
that man can leave the militia upon
giving four weeks notice. Every unit
has band, many of: the first rate.
Guards with; rifles ready are every
where, and auto trucks armed with
In search for trouble. Barbed wire
barbados are not removed from
many streets since the last flghing.,
!. Except for O. wave of crime, rob-
berry and plundering. which swept
Berlin the last week in March, Ber-
lin, Is we'll protected. The war office
is busy and rushing. Swank officers
are numerous and are as monocled
and military as in the old days
Democracy is manifested, however, in
the agreeable way the war office
treat outsiders-a new thing in Ger
many.
So much for what the war office
wanted United Press readers to be-
lieve. What the war office did not
give out through the agreeable cap
tain was gathered through a major
who has been converted to pacifism
He sought out a friend high up in the
war office and secured some first
hand information. because he. be-
lieved publicity might lead to action
which may. prevent the rebirth OF
militarisln in : Germany.
The. friend In. the war office re-
marked in answer to the majors
query as to Germany's strength,
well, we could muster million
men along the Rhine in less than a
week. They'd have plenty of can
non and machine-guns and ammuni-
ton to hold out for a while, in a
pinch"
The high up said Germany has
more than two-hundred seventy-five
thousand helmeted men under arms,
in actual service now. OF these,
seventy thousand are in Berlin, sixty
thousand are in. the Rhur district,
guarding the industrial district, sup
tered between the Polish front and
OIhSi SlliCo III 4" ulSu ulSLui udhSco
are expected.
A noticeable feature is that the
majority Of troops are not along the
bolshevik front, but are scattered
over the country. The government
evidently fears radicalism much
more from within than from without.
The government Is determined to
crush all opposition. Practically all
Of Germany. is in a state Of siege.
This state has never been lifted from
Berlin. There are thirty thousand
reserve officers In Berlin, all register
ed and within call. 90
An additional source of troops Is
the so-called Citizens guard" civil
ians who are ready to report on call,
under government orders. The war
office, said the war office man, knows
where the machine-guns, grenades,
and other supplies are located
Government troops are becoming
more and more loyal, due to the
privilege and the food they get
While the women and children are
hungry. good food Is allowed to gpoil