Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-02
NOSKE MAKES PREPARATIONS

BefIll dispatches lnulcatc GUSTAV !NOSke. n
present minister Of defense of the republic Of Germany
apparently expects trouble one of these days when the
peace negotiations will end one way or the other, for
he is reported to have made the martial law still efcc-
tive in the capital even more rigorous than 1t has been
heretofore. 1t appears that there has been some laxity
in the enforcement of this law since the first publication
Of the Allied peace terms, the reason being that the gov
eminent was not at all averse to have the people express
its views in regard to the punishment which the victors
are melting out.
The time for such criticism evidently has passed,
according to Herr Noskc, and as he is responsible for
the maintenance Of law and order within the realm he
has taken time by the forelock in order to prevent the
possibility of serious outbreaks when the Germans either
accept or reject the treaty terms.
This is one phase of the minister's activities; it's OBJ
ject Is of chiefly interior interest, but at the same time
he is looking into the future with respect to Germanys
foreign relations, for we are told that large numbers
Of young Germans are enlisting in home guard units
"for service on emergency occasions" Now, this may
very well mean that the Noske home guards are to be
utilized for the repression Of riots and rebellions in Ger
many, but it also means that Germany is creating a new
army which, If sufficient discipline can be maintained,
will be a pretty strong fighting force.
There is reason to believe, however, that discipline
cannot be enforced, for the officers Of the home guards
are said to be just as arrogant and tyrannical as were
their colleagues in the former imperial army. and the
statement is made that the home guard soldiers generally
resent the overbearing attitude of their leaders. This
does not look as though the new organization will be-
come a power of any Importance, but Herr Noske's at
tempted carrying out Of such plans apparently shows
that there is still lingering in Germany a faint hope that
come show of resistance may be effective when the
proper time comes.
Should Germany definitely decide to reject the peace
terms. it will almost Immediately be seen that all sorts
OF resistance will be futile, for the Allies announce off,
aially that in such an event the conquered country will
he completely blockaded within seyenty-two hours. There
U.s. also the possibility that Allied armies will occupy all
points of importance in Germany, so it looks as though
the Noske guards will have nothing to do but obey the
orders Of Marshal Foch.
There is not the slightest evidence on hand to show
hat Germany will he in a position to protest actively
against any move which the Allies have decided to make,
and for this reason every effort to organize new military
tlnits must be looked upon as an attempt to maintain
the fiction that the Germans still are strong enough to
combat what they term aggression from without. Like
80 many other decisions which have been imposed upon
tine nation. this will soon reveal itself In all its astound-
yAne impotency.