Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-09-30
Measuring Views of Germany

~ VERY reassuring account of present
day Germany should be peculiarly
welcome; for as the World War
could not have befallen without that ma
tion's Indictment, so world peace cannot be
made an abiding reality without her CO.
working. There have been, an in some
quarters still are, grave apprehensions that
this contamination might be cut off by any
one Of three untoward developments. If
Germany should lose self-control and go
reeIing into anarchy, or if she should pass
again finder the dominance of an ambitious
and resourceful militarist cult, or if she
should make common cause with Russian
Bolshevism against western and democratic
Europe-her power for peace and for con-
structive internationalism would be lost.
While some observers whose views COM
mand respect are fearful of one the other
of these contingencies, the larger number OF
competent judges whose expressions reach
US are distinctly hopeful. Here, for in
stance, is a striking commentary from Mr..
F. w. Forester, who recently revisited Ger
many after an absence of more than
twelvemonth. sit seems to me- he writes,
'that the German people, with more or
less unchanged exterior, are passing through
a period of profound transformation which,
for the careful observer, gives also certain
first place, how much order cleanliness and
punctuality are observable on the railroads,
at all events on the principal lines and in
most cities both large and small" Thls
and like evidence of a social Will rising
vigorous and proficient from the nations
catastrophe is interpreted by Mr. Forester
as "a sign of old and new moral strength,
and also as undoubted proof that the Ger
man people themselves believe in their own
rehabilitation; for he who despairs shows
it by carelessness to his personal habits
and appearance" From this it does not
appear that danger of Germans splitting
into anarchy is at hand.
Nor, if our present witness has seen
Alright is there likelihood of the nations
renewing militaristic adventure He is not
persuaded to this opinion by the frequently
heard statement that no reasonable person
in Germany is thinking of revenge, because
"recent years have shown clearly enough
that political acts are often dictated by the
passions Of the unreasoning." But ne con-
siders the country's enonomic situation an
altogether effectual barrier, at least for
many years to come, to any such ambitions;
and he Interestingly adds that "a new war
would find Germany the battlefield between
East and West"
But if misgivings on this score be
groundless, what of the supposedly more
formidable danger of Russo-German Goa
lition framed on Bolshevist tenets? Mr..
Forester regards such an alliance as elm
possible" not only because of it's incom-
palibility with German character, but chiefly
because 1.-THE whole movement is too lack.
ing in foundation to be able to triumph,
too absurdly unequal to ''the task of the re-
Mobilization of Europe" The plainest and
most imperative conditions impel Germany
to resume relations with the West, whence
must come her substantial help-not to link
arms with an impoverished and quite ire
sponsible fanatic of the East with view
to bringing on another World War.
These observations, strengthening the
hope that Germany may grow lnWardly
stable and remain unmoved by outer temp
tations, are made by number OF recent
visitors to that land. May the seasons
ahead confirm them and fortify their sus-
ttaining conditions; for upon peace and
good will in Central Europe, peace ana
good will the world around largely depends.