New-York tribune., 1920-01-02
Teutons Lag Over Terms
to Cut Army to 100, 900
by March 81, as Speci-
fed in Peace Covenant
Home Guard Seen
As Military Ruse
Allied Observers Say Pco-
pie Are War Weary and
Lack Battle Material


LONDON, Jan. 1.-Germany's
armed forces are estimated by tho
British War Office to total close to
a million men. These are divided
into the regular army of 100000;
the land forces of the regular navy,
10000; the armed constabulary,
10000 to $4,000; the temporary vol
unteers or regular army reserves,
100000 to 100000; civic guards,
100000 to 100000.
The figures with regard to the
last-named branches are rough
estimates, the exact totals being un-
known. Under the terms of the peace
treaty Germany is compelled to
reduce her regular forces to 100000
by March 81 and the number Of
gendarmes must not exceed those
functioning as military police in
1918.
Army Reduction Slow
The reduction of the regular army,
in compliance with the treaty obliga-
tions, is proceeding, although at
slower pace than originally was con-
templated, owing to the delay in rati-
fication of the peace treaty, the un-
settled state cf Germany and the desire
OF the German government not to in
crease the number of persons unem-
ploycd.
Quite apart from the British official
statement, but bearing on the subject,
is unofficial information brought to
England from Germany by British
is summed up as follows:
There is no truth in the stories that
Germany has secret mobile army
Not only are the German people war
weary and anxious for peace, but there
is great. shortage of war supplies.
such as rubber. petrol. coal horses and,
in addition, the rolling stock Of the
country is greatly depleted Manu-
facture Of arms and munitions is not
it is probable that to force the Ger
mans to give up all the rifles stipu-
ated in the peace treaty Will be i'm
possible, since the concealmcnt OF arms
is not difficult There is no danger Of
war]lke aggression from Germany in
the immediate future. However il the
Germans are permitted to maintain
volunteers and civil guards these bodies
would constitute a potential danger as
they would provide basic material for a
big new army"
CcnstabuIary is Necessary
1t is stated in well informed circles
in London that the Allies will insist
that these military organizations be
abolished. 1t is conceded, however,
that tie maintenance of constabulary
Is necessary to project property from
hoodlums and organized bodies OF
thieves.
Army officers are said to believe
Germanys claim that she needs
regular army of more than 100 coo, as
this force would be very small for a
country SO great in extent Many citi-
zens of Germany as a patriotic duty
are said to be joining the Civic Guards
to protect themselves from others, as
we'll as their property. from depreda-
tions Of criminals and from Spartacan
outbreaks.
The peace treaty provides the Ger
man army shall be demo bi.izcd and re-
duced until, by March 81, 1920. it shall
comprise not more than seven divisions
OF infantry and three divisions of cav
airy, making up the total of 100000 Of
ficers and men. as compared with L.
$4,000, exclusive of reserves, in 1914.
In addition, Germany is permitted to
maintain customs officers, forest
guards-and coast guards not exceeding
the number Of men employed for these
purposes in 1913. The treaty specifically
provides that "the maintenance or
formation of forces differently grouped
is forbidden"
Plan to Defeat Provision
Indications that the Berlin govern
ment might seek to circumvent this
provision Of the covenant have been
given since the first presentation of the
document to the German delegates at
Versailles last spring. Gustav Noske,
Minister OF Defense, announced almost
Immediately plans for force Of home
guards which, it was reported. would
number 100000. An army order made
public in Germany late in July pro-
vided for the separation of these guards
from the regular army in order ITO
meet the requirements of the peace
! treaty"
Die Freiheit," which attacked the
order as "a barefaced circumvention Of
the peace treaty" and an attempt to
hide the military character of the civil
guards" was sued by Minister Nosks
for its charges.
The July army order held that the
reduction Of the army to 100000 by the
peace treaty would necessitare the for
nation Of separate force to suppress
disturbances and prevent riots in
peace time. The order added that the
civil guards would become an adjunct
of the police force as part Of tho pub
lie welfare service. like the FIRE de-
partment and the Red Cross.
In an effort to avoid the appearance
of making these civil guards national
forces the Minister Of Defense was re-
ported to have exempted them from
taking the oath to defend the country
against invasion.
1t was reported in August that the
Prussian government would organize a
new and separate "police force" of
100000 trained soldiers which would
be armed with the latest type Of nili-
tary weapon and placed ip gsyxissna
throughout Germany. a