The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1920-08-13
BERLIN FIRM IN
NEUTRAL STAND
Government Determined to Main
tain Neutrality in Russo
Polish Conflict.
THREATS BY RAILWAY men
Announce Their Determination Not to
Handle Munitions or Soldiers Con-
signed to Poland Through Germany
Cause of Bavarian Unrest.

Cause of Bavarian Unrest.
Berlin, Aug. 10.-Germany was con-
fronted with the alternative of facing
east or west, but ultimately determined
to maintain her neutrality in the Russo
Polish conflict at all cost.
Official circles were deeply concerned
over private reports of rumOred mill
tary and naval decisions on the part OF
the British government, all the reports
indicating an inheXible attitude on the
part of the London government toward
the bOlshevki unless peace is made
with Poland.
When confidential information reach
ed Foreign Minister Simon he was
asked what Germany's decision would
be. He replied in substance that it
would be a hard choice, but Germany
would resist violation of her neutrali-
ty either on the part of the entente or
Russia.
Neutrality Is Threatened.
England and France had been
threatening this neutrality on the one
hand by direct pressure to permit them
to come to POland's aid by using Ger
man territory for the transit of troops,
etc., and on the other by making mill
tary preparations on occupied German
territory contrary to International law.
That is the information secured from
sources in close touch with the govern
ment.
There was a vague rumOr that this
allied pressure, whether direct or in
direct, had the moral support of Wash
ingtOn. In the absence of American
Commissioner Dresel from Berlin con-
firmatiOn or denial Of the report could
not be obtained, but the rumOr may
have grown out of the recent visit OF
Col. Davis, the American military at
tache to Gems LudendOrff and Won Hin
denburg.
A sensation had been created in par
liamentary circles only a few hours
previously by the statement of For
eign Minister Simon in the Reichstag
that Germany's neutrality was in the
gravest danger. The fact that Herr
Simon would not go into details tended
to accentuate the feeling that crisis
for Germany was approaching.
Coincidentally, since the coal ar
rangement drawn up at Spa over the
repeated protests of the German dele
gates, the bitterness Of the German
people of all classes, especially against
France, has shown dangerous proper
tons. This was accumulated by print
ed allegations of further misconduct
of French negro troops in occupied
German territory.
Rail Men Make Threats.
Railway men continue to call on
Gen. Groener, former chief of staff to
Won Hindenburg and now minister of
railways, to announce their determine
ton not to let a car of munitions or
soldiers through Germany to support
Poland at the same time telling him
that sick as they are of war the rail-
way man are ready to a man to join
again against France.
In Bavaria, whence l have returned,
and on which government the French
government has brought pressure to
permit troops transport, l found q
startling change of sentiment attrib-
uted to the outcome at Spa. Bavaria
hitherto has been more friendly toward
France than any other German govern
ment. Now sentiment toward adopt
ing national bOlshevism and sympathiz-
ing with Russia in order to be revenged
upon France is growing in Bavaria
and that is causing uneasiness in the
more thoughtful circles.
Three primary causes were assigned
for the Bavarian feeling:
Scarcity of food and materials
The high prices of food.
The serious coal shortage threaten
ing for the coming winter.
Lastly there is the question of dis
armament which the Bavarians are OPP
posing more strongly than any other
section of the German populace.