The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-06-13
GERMANY'S TROUBLES

eminent at home is apparently TAX
ing steps to oppose it, European ca
bles related yesterday that recruiting
is covertly taking place in parts of
Germany, and that Gen. Hofer has
been placed in charge of the military
mobilization. There are those in
Germany who still profess to believe
that, while their armies were beaten
on the road, they will fight better on
their home grounds. The German
military preparations are being close
ly watched by the Allies; British and
American commanders have FASTENED
to the Rhine and Germany's demon
stration of force will be met with a
counter-demonstration which will be
calculated to dampen the bellicose
spirits of our late enemies.
The Times is convinced that this
German buster is all stage effect, and
that after a few changes have been
made in the treaty the German dele
gates will be glad to sign it.
Richard Henry Little, correspond
ent of The Times, wires from Berne
that he witnessed in Berlin last Tues
day afternoon peace demonstration
that was greater, both in numbers and
unanimity, than any other demonstra-
ton he had ever seen. "Sign any
thing that will bring us peace" was
the slogan of the masses. He says
that the crowd swept down with the
resistlessness of tidal wave upon
meeting that the Government was
trying to hold in support of the poll
cy of resistance, and the whole city
was soon vibrating with cries of
peace. Mr.. Little was compelled to
go across the Swiss border before he
could get wire to carry this infor-
nation. His dispatch furnishes an
Illuminating glimpse of what is TAX
ing place behind the curtain Of Ger
man censorship.
German dissatisfaction with the
peace terms was to be expected. The
terms arc hard, but not crushing; i'm
placable, but not impossible of full
fillment. But the Germans misjudge
the temper of the Allies as much as
they misjudgcd the spirit of the Unit
ed States when they now aver that
the peace treaty is Photographed hate.
For it is not hate, but distrust, as
German Socialist has pointed out, that
dictated its terms. Not for a genera
ton at least will the Western world
make peace treaty dependent upon
German honor and German faith for
it's fulfllment; for German honor,
since the invasion of Belgium, has suf-
fered a greater depreciation than Boil
Ehevist paper currency. A League of
Nations which would underwrite Ger
man pledges would be accepting an
extrahazardous war risk.
When the summary of the peace
treaty was first published The Times
suggested that some Of the terms
might be modified if the German peo-
pie would give earnest of sincere
desire to abide by its terms, to make
just reparation for the injuries they
had inflicted upon their neighbors, and
to abandon definitely and without re-
serve their former scheme for mill
tary world domination. Since the
terms were published President Will
son has expressed the hope that some
that the Germans might not lose
hope of finally regaining their place
among the great peoples of the world.
But the whole intent of the treaty is
to make plain to the German people
themselves that their future greatness
must be builded upon industry and
not conquest; that the world will not
permit Germany's broken sword to
be mended. 1t must not be said, when
the treaty is finally concluded, that the
Germany hope is dead.
That the Allies are not inclined to
be unduly arrogant in their peace de-
mands is evidenced by dispatches
which aver that the famous Council
of Four" will hand to the Germans a
note consenting to certain modifica
tons of the terms regarding repara-
tons as they now appear in the text
of the peace treaty.
If the Germans will give proper
guarantees for making the repara-
ton payments, the Allies are willing
to consent to adjustments that will
make the payments as easy for Ger
many as possible. This is as it
should be.
1t was German militarism, and not
German industrialism, with which the
world was fighting. 1t would be alike
impolitic and unjust to deprive the
German peoples of the means of a
livelihood. The Allies have no inclin-
alton to substitute hunger war for
a war in the field
The interest, as well as the honor,
of the free nations demands that en-
enlargement should be given to Ger
man industry. Germany has heavy
payments to make for damages
wrought during the war. Only an in
duGtrially and commercially prosper
Gus people can meet those obligations.
The Allies have not been, are not, and
have no desire to be at war with Ger
man industry. The same sentiment
that caused them to feed, house and
clothe German prisoners will impel
them to succor the famished in Ger
many, just as they have done in Ar
menia and India. The Allied peoples
sincerely desire peace of justice, in
fact as well as in name, with Ger
many. But they arc fully determined
that justice shall be done first to the
gallant peoples who stood shoulder to
shoulder in defense of human liberty
against German militarism. The
peace treaties which they are about
to conclude are not unalterable. 1t
will be possible for the German peo-