Evening star., 1921-09-04
ny OLIVER OWEN KUHN.


- ERIOUS as may have been political
events In Germany during the
~ course Of the past ten days. there
is every evidence that monarchist
demonstrations and the quick action Of
the republican government not only to
discredit but frustrate further reaction
airy demonstrations are but preludes
to fight which will shake Germany
from center to circumference before
the republic, at least the present gov
ernment, is safe.
Ludendorf-he who has consistently
plotted the overthrow of republican
government for the return of regime
which would be more lenient in recog-
mixing the rights Of the privileged
classes and give sanction to the old
milltarfst order-has been extremely
active in recent weeks in instigating
demonstrations and celebrations upon
slightest of pretexts in order to fan
martial ardor and longing for the
pomp and glories of the old regime.
Tens of thousands of people have par
tIc1pated. UnQueStionably, those secret
military organizations which abound
in Germany and which were organized
for the purpose of effecting a nucleus
for a military organization to carry
out we'll known plans of counter revo-
luton, have taken heart during recent
weeks and their spirit has been fired
by messages from the kaiser and
from their old military chieftains.
MOnarchist Feeling Strong.
Throughout Wurttemberg. certain
sections Of Prussia and Bavaria the
.monarchist feeling runs strong and
with perfect organization, such as has
been effected through subterranean
channels-in few cases openly-the
monarchfsts have a base upon which
to build a great military machine for
der tag"
Success of any monarchist attempt,
however, depends entirely upon elicit
ing support from other quarters than
those strictly aligned with imperial
ideas. There is serious doubt that
Ludendorn, no matter how far-reach-
Ing his plans, can succeed in avowed
efforts to replace the Hohenzollerns at
the head of the nation, as the majority
OF the people are not with him, at the
moment at least.
The question of support is the crux
OF the whole situation. The repub-
1ican government under Chancellor
Wirth and President Ebert has capi-
falized the assassination of Matthias
to believe that the killing was but
the beginning Of serious attempts
against the lives of the present repub-
1ican leaders and democratic institu-
tions. There has been tremendous
Chancellor wirth for support among
the people. In one demonstration for
the government in Berlin during the
past week nearly half million people
assembled in the Lustgarten and SOL
emnly avowed their diSapproval of any
and all attempts of the reactionaries to
gain control. The meeting was a solemn
. affair. The manner in which both the
majority and independent societies
and the other democratic political
parties is indicative of the fact that
today there exists in Germany tre-
mendous support for the republican
form OF government. AS conse-
quence of this backing which per-
meates the nation labor has pledged
the government the backing of eleven
million men. The Ludendorff attempts
undoubtedly will be discouraged until
a more opportune time. That time may
come in the fall.
wfrth Not Secure.
But 1t must not be taken for
granted that the people, though sup
porting the republican form Of gov
ernment, will support the present
regime headed by Chancellor Wirth
The greatest of all alienators of SYM
pathy is to be applied during the fall
and winter-a tax burden which will
be felt to the far corners of the
country. Even the workers as well as
capitalists must assume gigantic bur-
den to raise $50, 900. O00. 900 marks esti-
mated as the German governments
need during the coming year if Ger
many pays up the fifty billion marks
arrears in reparation, keeps pace with
next years levies by the allied gov
ernments and at the same time cares
for constantly increasing internal OBJ
legations. Particularly is this true
with the decline of the value of the
mark, which will continue to go down
as the gold resources of the nation are
roured into the Golfers of the allies
and the paper money presses continue
to run day and night to meet the ex-
tremely obnoxious money question in
Germany.
The capitalist. which is represented
largely in the German centerist party.
j. sure to raise his voice against extra