New-York tribune., 1920-04-04


~ present German revolution
l. "A necessarily involves the
discussion, first, Of the
German upheaval itself and, second,
OF its bearing upon tho rest Of the
world, since it is equally essen
tial to perceive what the revolution
actually is and what its effect eco
nomically, politically and militarily
will be- upon the Immediate neigh
oors Of Germany and upon the
whole world.
But despite the great food Of dis
patches which have como out Of Ger
many since the stroke Of Kapp, it
is not easy to arrive at any clear
notion, not merely Of the progress,
but of the meaning Of events. The
reason lies in the fact that the
world is under the shadow Of the
very real and active apprehensions,
the twin bugbears of Prussianism
and of Bolshevism.
Whether Germany goes violently
radical or vehemently reactionary,
the danger to the rest Of the world
will remain considerable, and since
Bolshevism is the thundercloud of
the present hour, the world is
watching the German affair with
very keen dread that what has oc-
Cured in Russia may happen in
Germany.
A Review of Events
In the discussion Of the German
situation it is necessary to 60 back
to the closing days Of the wars In
October, 1918, there were mutter-
ings which daily grew more unmis-
taxable Ludendorff informed the
government that military victory
was impossible and that military
conquest was within the realm of
immediate probability. He called
upon the civil government to open
negotiations with the enemy, and he
sought to accelerate the pace of
these negotiations by sending a
trusted lieutenant to inform the
politicians of the gravity of the
crisis.
But the politicians were at first
paralyzed by the disclosure Of the
true military situation. While they
temporized, Bulgaria and Turkey
surrendered, Austria cr7lmbled and
the Foch campaign grew hourly
more threatening. At last change
ID government was achieved; Prince
Max Of Baden undertook to direct
affairs, and his first step was to
propose an armistice, appealing to
President Wilson and subscribing to
the fourteen points. SO far this
coincided with Ludendorff's idea Of
correct policy, and for the moment
Prince Max and LudendorfP we're
agreed that while making peace
proposals the German government
should retain the determination to
continue the struggle if unfavor-
able terms were proposed.
Unfavorable terms we're proposed
They included an unmistakable hint
that the President would not con.
sider negotiations with the colo
gang" and they more than limited al
complete disarmament Of Ger.
many as ono Of the prerequisites OF
any a-mistice. At this point Luden.
dorm broke with Prince Max. He
proposed that the war should be
fought out and issued an order tc
the army stating that the peace pro
posals Of the President were unsatis
factory to the army.
This was IN the fourth week o.
October and at the moment wher
the German military collapse wa.
plainly close at hand. The result
was that the civil government
Prince Max. the Kaiser agreeing
turned on Ludendorff and he wa,
dismissed. Neither the civil gov
srnment nor the country at lare,
wss willing to run any moro risks il
the matter Of fighting, and Luden
dorff's insoIent appeal to the arm,
was recognized as sure to be seIzet
upon by the Allies as a demonstra
tIon OF the fact that the German
we're not seriously seeking peac,
and that the old military gang wer,
in control.
A Rising Revolution
The pasaing Of LndendorfY wa
followed By this proclamations b,
tho Kaiser Of all sorts of liberal re
forms. . great show Of democ ratiza
ton was made and the Presiden
was satisfisd that ths moment ha>
arrived to transmit the German pro
posal Tor An armistics to our asso
ctates among the nations at war
But meantime . totally difYeren
yuhynYnent waa s4irripe, n Corr~