Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1920-04-02
German Commissions Reveal the
Spirit of Revolt With Military
Resources Still Large.
RED ARMIES ATTACK POLAND
Fighting Severe With Poles Showing
Splendid Spirit-lsIamic Situation
an Anxious One-Peace Treaty
and Democratic Platform
Higher Coal Prices.
BY {. F. CLiPSON.

Germany's commissions reveal a hot
bed of revolt. Although the treaty Of
Versailles aimed to thoroughly cripple
the nation In q military sense, reduc-
ing its army to only sufficient strength
for internal needs, it could not stamp
out the heritage of long years Of mill
tarism. Germany is no less a nation
of soldiers today than it was In 1918.
These soldiers, bred under an arrogant
system and trained to kill, have been
exhibiting in full measure the results
of their teaching, even though it is a
fight of brother against brother. Ger
many was disarmed in the larger
sense, but the allies, as they did not
occupy the country, could not reach
the immense stock of smaller cannon,
rifles and ammunition, minenwerfers,
flammenwerfers, etc. Events since the
overthrow of the Kapp revolution in
dictate that each peasant has arms
and the ability to use them. Civil war
would be in full blast if the various
groups did not lack cohesion.
The Ebert government, displaced for
five days by the Kapp revolution and
then suddenly confronted by a coun-
ter-revOlt of radicals instituted during
the general chaos, appears to be slow
ly struggling back to authority. The
crisis has not entirely passed, but an
easing of the situation is indicated.
This is especially true in SaXOny and
some other states where socialism is
strong but where the moderate social
lists seem to have prevailed for the
time being at least, over the radicals.
Conditions have been most acute in
the districts bordering the east bank
of the Rhine, especially in the Ruhr
basin, or coal mining region. This
area has been occupied by the Sparta
cides, ~bolshevists, communists or
whatever one chooses to call them, the
occupation being by a large, we'll
armed and effective force. The town
of Vessel, an industrial and railroad
center of great strategic Importance,
has been besieged. Inasmuch as most
of the coal comes from the Ruhr, Oc-
cupation of it and complete cessation
of mining operations for a period of
ten days would be sufficient to stop all
industry in Germany. Ebert has been
forced to treat with the belligerents to
the point of making important noes
sions. The affected area is pretty well
hemmed in by the allied armies on the
xrnrt Holland an @ho aoxth o@I co-
eminent forces east and south. The
principal weapon of the radicals has
been their ability to prevent the pro-
duction of coal.
Never since the armistice of Novem-
Der, 1918, has there been greater need
for q united front and united action
among the allies. Unfortunately unison
is not apparent. The alliance so pow
erful during the war, and which was
to work great principles for the bet
terment of the world, shows signs of
disintegration. America has refused
to ratify the treaty on account of the
League of Nations covenant. Great
Britain and Italy are pursuing aims of
their own. France is charged with i'm
perialistic designs. Belgium is less
friendly with France and England on
account of what she regards as unfair
treatment in the Holland settlement.
France may be imperialistic, but the
case is not yet proven. She is at least
consistent in regard to the treaty of
Versailles and the only one of the
allies completely consistent. The
treaty was put into effect with a loud
blare from all concerned that it would
be upheld. Should France be criticized
for demanding that Germany live up
to the pact?
1t is a time for the sinking of diff
ferences, for unselfish cooperation
and the wisest craftsmanship. Ger