The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-02-13
GERMANY THE ARROGANT.

over two years nave passed since the day
upon which the armistice was signed, and the
thunders of the allied and American armies,
driving the German cohorts back into Ger
man soil, were stilled.
Over two years of peace. during which
the people of devastated France and ruined
Belgium have been at work endeavoring to
bring a semblance of order out of the chaos
wrought by the overflowing hordes of the
German army of conquest. have passed since
the last gun of the World War vomted its
message of death.
Two years ago the Treaty of Versailles
was effected and the representatives of Ger
many told to sign on the dotted line. Two
years ago the amount of the indemnity Ger
many should pay was fixed upon. Two years
ago agreements between the allies and the
United States with Germany, were reached,
while Germany, with the armies of the op-
position still under arms, with the cannon Of
Foch and the troops of Haig and Pershing
still threatening, agreed to make what repara-
ton cold dollars and cents could offer in
atonement for the wanton destruction of life
and property.
And now, living up to its past history,
that the word of the German government is
not worth the breath exerted by German Of
ficials in passing it, following months and
months of stallings and pleadings and beg
ging Germany feeling secure in its position,
comes forward with its old time arrogance
and issues its ultimatum, setting forth the very
maximum which it, as government, will pay
in indemnities to the nations which German
soldiery devastated and ruined.
Tn thic ulfim atupp faa1ipr eura of tS M
sition, the German government states that
any effort upon the part of France, or any
other nation to throw troops into the Ruhr
district, will be considered as a declaration of
war, a war in which Germany evidently feels
confident it can care for itself.
In round numbers the amount of the re-
paration from Germany, as agreed upon, is
S56,000,0 100000. This sum representatives of
the German government, as the government
responsible for the greatest War Crime,
agreed to pay as indemnities. for the ruin
wrought in the name of the conquest-mad
ruler of the Prussians.
The sum is monumental. Its volume is
almost beyond the power of. human mind to
conceive, of mathematical skill to compute.
German statesman claim that the sum is eX-
tortionate, and that the reparation demands
are impossible of execution, while some of the
German ministers go so far as TO state that
any effort to comply with the demands will
prove suicidal for Germany.
! 1t has been claimed by some political
economists that the ability of Germany TO
pay is both problematical and debatable,
Notwithstanding the fact that the agreement
entered into gave to that nation period of
fortytwo years in which to complete the pay
ment of the complete indemnity.
Be that as it may, however, there re-
mains an indisputable fact. an unbeatable
fact, the fact that Germany should comply
with the'terms of the agreement. There is
no honesty, no honor no integrity shown by
the Legislators and ministers of the New
Germany" in their palpable efforts to avoid
fufillment of the Versailles treaty.
Had the hordes of Kaiser Wilhelm
continued on their way, had the armies Of the
devastating flun not have been checked be-
fore the gates of Paris were reached, Civiliza-
ton would today be paying tribute to Barbar.
ism.
Had the swarming mnions of a power
thirsting country not have met with the final
successful opposition of the allied and the
United States troops. today the British Isles