Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1919-02-07

approve of it.
One important point concerning pay
ment by Germany is reported to have
been settled by the peace conference.
It was decided that while Germany
must make full %reparation for u%njusti-
fable damage done, she and her asso-
ciates will not be called on to pay
heavy indemnities to reimburse the vic
torious nations for their war expenses.
Nor will Germany be compelled to re-
linquish the indemnity she took from
France in 1871. Belgium's reparation
claims will have first consideration,
and perhaps those of Serbia will come
next.
On the eve of the assembling of the
German national convention in Wei
mar, the Ebert government seemed
firmly seated in the place of power,
though there was a possibility Of COM
binations that would dominate it. The
Spartacans were in a hopeless minor
ity, however, and there was every rea-
son to believe the revolution" would
run the course laid out for it by the
old-time leaders, who never have relin-
quished control actually. That the
change of form of government has not
! wrought a miraculous change of the
German heart or the German intention
to rule is the opinion of General Gou-
raud, the French commander, as 1t Is
of many less well informed persons.
This view is borne out by the increas-
ingly insolent attitude of the con-
quered Huns, and by their naive sur
prise and Indignation when they rea-
lized that they might not be admitted
to membership in the league of nations
Immediately and on an equality with
the nations that saved civilization
from their criminal assault.
A French expert has summarized the
policies of the present German govern
ment as follows:
INTERIOR. Complete unity. 2. Redi-
vision of the nation for administrative
urposes into a number Of departments
approximately of equal size without
taking account Of the present divi-
sions.
Exterior. The annexation of Ger
man Austria. 2. Opposition to the for
nation of a strong Poland.
The annexation of German Austria
may be baked by the formation of the
proposed Danube confederation Of all
the states along the Danube, including
German Austria and Bulgaria, for it
T.. c-.-11 4l,o+ sc Cnrro n W TO norvnitfnd
to annex the part of Austria she covets
she would be stronger than ever in ter
ritory and population.
A good deal of excitement and some
resentment were stirred up in Amer
lea by the announcement Of a British
embargo on many imports, effective
March 1. Among the commodities
named are numerous American prod
ucts, and those who seek to arouse
antagonism between the United States
and Great Britain were quick to accuse
the British of starting a trade war.
More reasonable persons recognize
that the embargo is an emergency
measure to help England in the re-
Mobilization of her industries and that
1t is undoubtedly only temporary. At the
same time, American business men
were aroused by it to the necessity of
looking after our own place in world
trade.
Great Britain is having a serious
time with the labor problem. Several
thousand workers in England, Wales
and Ireland have quit, either for nor
pay or for shorter hours without re-
duction of wages. Belfast seems to be
in the worst predicament, for business
and transportation are virtually sus-
pended. riots are frequent, shops are
being looted every night and the city
Is in darkness.
In the United States unpreparedness
for peace is at the bottom of a great
deal of unrest concerning the unem-
ployment of returning soldiers. States
and communities Gre getting busy,
however, and it is hoped that soon
there will be positions for all, at least
as good as those they left to serve
their country.