Evening star., 1920-07-11

~ Of allied ed nations sn at at Spa. csr-
tain decisions have been
reached. These may be regarded
as revealing an extremely weak
policy on the part of the allies
in dealing with the Germans and
forcing immediate fulfillment of the
treaty of Versailles, or. paradoxical
as it may seem, the attitude of Lloyd
George in forcing acceptance of al
lied stipulations may be regarded as
signalling re-establishment of COM
plete unity on the future course to be
pursued in dealing with the Teutons.
The Germans came into the con-
ference palliating their past offenses
and failure to abide strictly by the
terms of the treaty of Versailles. The
allies listened and then. abruptly.
Premier Lloyd George announced that
there must be strict compliance with
the military terms Of the treaty: that
the German military forces must be
reduced to 100000 by next January,
secretly hidden arms must be Surren-
dered by all German peoples, the
reichswehr must be made a definite
regular army force of SO many men.
with volunteer guard units disbanded.
Compliance Not strange.
The Germans, after considering, de-
cided to accQuiesce and this is not ex-
ceedingly strange. as Premier Lloyd
George accompanied the statement of
allied terms with the threat of re-
| newed occupation of the Ruhr region
This, above everything else, the Ger
mans do not want. 1t is dangerous
for any Berlin government. Also 1t is
dangerous for the allies. for the waves
Of reaction setting in against any
government making such occupation
feasible might upset it and a reign of
radical socialists be set up in Ger
many, with consequent danger to all
European power.
Allied weaknesses in the delibera-
tions are indicated in the fact that the
Germans have been permitted tc
lignore certain military and naval
| terms Of the treaty up to the present
time. but still the allies stipulate that
| the Germans may have another six
| months in which they may be expect
ed to bubble. There is reason to sup
pose that at the end of this period
| there will arise circumstances which
| may materially change the allies from
| their present course.
Events are moving fast in Europe
| in the great continental scramble to
ward reconstruction, and these events
| coupled with alliances of peoples in
| volved, materially may alter the
| course of individual nations as well
as those acting in concert.
Policy Not Surprising.
But, with the situation in Germany
| as it Is, it is not strange that the al
lies, though adopting a concrete pol
| icy. have delayed again. The supreme
| council undoubtedly realizes that too
harsh action at the moment may
place Germany in position where no
government can fulfill the treaty OF
Versailles and no western European
government will remain immune from
| the evil effects Of proletariat rule
which will-if Russia may be taken
as an example-completely disorgan-
tize international commercial and
financial relationships.
| The present German government
must be given time. To press it toe
hard now might only solidify oppos-
within Germany for still another
more radical change. The present
Berlin government is none too stable
and until stability can be established
all demands the allies may make al
any time now or in the future are
subject to change. No man can tell
what the political waves will wash
lup in Germany. The present German
government might be sincere in its
pledges to attempt complete obe-
dience to the treaty. but no man car
say that it will.
| The cutting of military forces and
the enforcement of the Versailles
terms will have multitudinous conse-
quences not only upon the Germans
but other nations as well.
| First of all. allied authority would
be established beyond all doubt, but
in establishing this authority there
arises question as to whether 1t will
not work to the disinterest of Ger
many and Germanys ability to meet
the terms.
May Aid Reds Plans.
If the German armies are reduced
If all arms and munitions are reQui-
sitioned by the government. it will
but facilitate the plans of the reds OF
Germany, who are. admittedly, wait
ing for a psychological moment to
| strike.
| AS evidenced in the comparatively
Irecent Ruhr revolt, only the presence