New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-01-18

w armistice the question OF
Germany's future attitude
toward the world has
been raised, and many and varying
answers have been given. On the
whole, Americans have tended to
argue that German militarism has
been crushed, while Europe, and
particularly France, has remained
skeptical.
Perhaps the most Illuminating
document that has yet been sub
mitted exists in the form Of a letter
written by Matthias Erzberger, the
leader of the German Center party
and the man who signed the armis-
tice for Germany. This letter was
written six months after that
armistice had been signed, in the
latter part Of April, when the Paris
Conference was reaching the end Of
its labors. It was sent by Err
berger to many prominent Germans,
and supplies an amazing and au-
thentic evidence Of the state Of the
German mind at that moment.
This letter has never before been
published, and no further introduce
ton is necessary than to point out
that the man who wrote it, as early
as the summer of 1917, proclaimed
himself champion Of peace, taking
prominent part in that German
peace demonstration in the Reichstag
out of which was evolved the formu-
la, "Peace without lamentations or
indemnities"; that his, words and
his course were hailed in Entente
countries, and particularly in the
United States, as evidence of a
change Of heart on the part of
Germany. Remembering, then, that
Erzberger had identified himself as
"liberal" German, the letter which
follows will naturally suggest an in
quiry as to what TIE tfuea Prussian
militarist thought and thinks:
Cermany's Improved Status
81. The world political position Of
Germany has greatly improved since
the armistice. Six months ago we
were faced by firm public opinion
on the side of our enemies. Now
has happened, as was inevitable,
that the various elements Of the
Entente are working for their in
dividual interests at the peace con-
ference. The strength Of union
among the Entente has long since
disappeared. England and America
have driven us as competitors from
the worlds markets and have nc
special interest to injure us fur
Their. France, in order not to lose
her place as great power, seeks
to strengthen it at our cost. Never
theless, strong and influential fac
tors are at work there for the over
throw Of the present government
Throughout the entire Entente ther'
is q growing tendency to unite tn
Wilsonian principles with revolu
tionary socialism. The result is I,
protest against further pressure o,
Germany.
'2. All this works in the armie
Of the Entente and has great in
fiuence. We learn from good an
reliable sources that pacifist props
ganda will be pushed in every po.
sible way in Entente countries, esp.
eialH among demobilized soldiers.
: Is done quite openly. Newspaper
spread the ideas in question, pan
, phlets are printed, speeches mad,
and at meetings the tendency of tn
French War Cabinet will be Tough
The simple return of Alsace-Lo,
raine to France will be criticized an
a plebiscite set forth as the bes
solution Of this problem.
Says Entente Is Weaker
"3. To-day, if this war should b
resumed, anti-militarism would pla
quite a different role in Entent
countries and armies than it di