Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-03-16
WRICGLIN0 GERMANY DOES
THE WORLD A SERVICE
Her insoIent Revolution Reveals the
Folly Of "Softness" and the Need
Of Executing the Treaty


Folly Of "Softness" and the Need
Of Executing the Treaty
THE Juukcr revolution in Berlin is
L proof that, as ever. Germany loves
peaSe-peace on her own terms. Her
devotion to this ideal has been con
sistent. before the war, during the con
flict, since the armistice.
That circumstances have interfered
with the realization Is a fact which
casts no imputation on Teuton logic
The impudent proposals made to the
Allies by the central powers on Decem-
Der -, 1916, differed greatly in details
but not at all in spirit from the inter
probation Of the present situation as
volunteered by General Baron Won
! Lucttwitz, the now minister of defense.
who promises the execution of such
terms of the treaty of Versailles las are
just"
The intimation that Germany once
more lopes to translate morality into
her own detestable terms is as plain as
her utter unfitneSs for the performance.
MY right is the right" declared Max
Stirner, apostle Of Individual Anar-
chism." This is the German militarist
doctrine stripped of hypocrisy. When
surrendered necessity alone has been the
repressive agent.
Philosophers, well meaning vision
aries, broad minded statesmen
''cranks," ordinary human beings with
an innate disposition to be kindly have
for sixteen months freely expressed the
view that the forces of compulsion
brought to bear on Germany we're suffi =
ciently severe to insure her good be-
havior.
But, unfortunately, the German ne
cessity barometer is of an altogether
different make from the one standardized
elsewhere in the world. Inaccurate
registrations prompted the sinking of
the Lusitania. Such savagery was need
less, iufamously futile, yet it was Ger
many's belief, and it perhaps still is,
that extremity drove her to the decd.
The existing delusion, though based on
false readings, is of another order and
is probably the direct consequence Of a
enthusiastically Teutonic misinterpre- =
tation of opportunity. Such cleverness
as is revealed is likely to prove terribly
costly.
1t must, however, be admitted that
recent events have seemed to favor the
reorganization of unregenerate infu
ences in Germany intent upon repudi-
alton by whatever means possible of the
treaty of Versailles. Criticism of some
Of the deservedly drastic provisions OF
that instrument has been Carried to ex
tremes of blind sentimentality.
Professor Keynes has wept scientific
tears over the 'harshness' Of the eco
nomic clauses. Pity, like u new born
babe and just about as helpless to cope
with realities. has been lavished upon
the nation whose obloQuy is not NOR
ally eXtenuatcd because major manifes
tations of it occurred few years back
Analysis and freedom of discussion
are proper concomitants of civilization
but it is essential also that they should
be regardful of circumstances.
The hair -splitters in the Senate havt
riveted their attention upon domestic
politics. Mr.. Wilson has reciprocated
Partisanship and distractions have con
fused the real issue in Britain. France,
almost alone of the Allies, has thought
clearly about German unrcgeneracy
Italy has been engrossed in the Fiume
tangent.
The victOrs in the world war have de
veloped self-criticism to the point of q
disease; imperialism in some quarters
to the point of danger; indifference
as in the United States, to the point OF
folly; jealousies to the point Of disrup-
ton. The result is a medley of cross
purposes, some good in principle, some
bad, but in combination highly stimu
lating to the German view of oppor- =
tunity.
The Teuton is at once learned and
superficial. He would not be acting "in
character" did he not behold in the
existing tangle of motives analogies
with the plight of that earlier group of
allies in the Congress of Vienna in
1S14-15. The shortsighted blunders of
that memorable conference made posi-
BILE the return of Napoleon from his
eleven months exile in Elba and the
revival Of impCralistic France. That
Waterloo followed is a fact which the
Junker elements in Germany may for
the moment be inclined to overlook
What is doubtless alluringly visible to
them now is q parallel seemingly sus-
ceptible OF being capitalized to ad-
vantage.
But whatever their hopes, re- enact
mcnt of the drama Of the Hundred
Days is impossible. Even IL Germany
were united in support Of the revOIu-
| tiouary government, which appears not
to be- tn" case, Germany Is at the
mercy Of her r0nquerOrs. An advance
( beyond the Rhine provinces would al
most uuqucstionably prove u salutary
lesson in realities There are sufficient
troops available TO make an impressive
display and Foch is already in May
| ence. The British feet could also serve
as a wholesome corrective instrument.
Access to north German ports is easy
now. All the submarines have been
surrendered all the mines removed.
Whether such a demonstration will
bc necessary Is dependent upon two
| things the success Of the Junker move
mcnt, including its ability to cope with
liberal opposition, aud the attitude of
the new government upon the peace
treaty.
AS an independent nation theoreti-
cally at peace with all the world ex.
cept the United States, Germany has
sovereign rights TO set up any form of
government which pleases her. The