The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-09-02
Germany Is the
Real Victor

| Notwithstanding the heavy bur-
dens that were placed on Germany by
the victors in the recent world war
which many friends of Germany, liv-
ing in America, have denominated as
being "insufferable" - that defeat
ed and "deplorable" country is COM
ing forward in manner that is
truly surprising to many. In this
connection we would draw another il
lustration Of the apparent inefficiency
of the American Congress. in addi-
tion to what was printed last week
under the heading Congressional
Impotency," as it seems that body of
statesmen are not yet generally awak.
ened from the lethargy that has op-
pressed them since the close of the
war.
The manner in which Germany
the supposed loser in the late warts
already recovering from the despond
of defeat is well illustrated in the
manner in which she is promptly pay
ing off her war indemnity, which many
of her friends were but recently la
menting could not be done. Yet the
indications are that the German peo-
pie are not bowed more heavily, in
comparison, to ray kcr enormous war
obligations, than are the victorious
people of this country, as well as all
the other allied countries. TO one who
had neither eyes nor ears such
thing might prove mysterious, even
impossible.t But to those who can both
see and hear, and has sufficient men,
tality to add two and two, the reason
is quite apparent as to how Germany
is now recovering from the effects of
the late war far more rapidly than is
any of the countries that are supposed
10 have conquered her,
Some are even now asking the why
and wherefore of this mysterious per-
formance, whereby Germany is al
ready turning her recent defeat into
what at this time appears to be over
whelming business victory. 1t is this
way: Not to German sagacity is this
thing being done that is likely to
tpfove 50 fortunate to- the supposed
victors in the late war. 1t is the di-
rect result of the supposed handicap
that was saddled on the defeated by
the victors. One of the terms of peace
provides that Germany shall not main
tain an army or navy. Therein is the
point that within very few years
will enable poor defeated and discred-
tied Germany to pin her business abil-
ity and financial resources high above
those Of her late victors.
Can anything more simple, not yet
more stupendous, than that be i'm
agined? Think of it: Poor old de-
feated Germany is deprived of the
privilege and pleasure of supporting
both an army and navy, and the ines
timabIe sums thus saved by being de-
prived of fireworks" are permitted
to remain in the hands of her frugal
people, a part of which goes to pay
war indemnities. There is little rea-
son to doubt, however, that the paying
of war indemnit:es falls more lightly
on the shoulders of the defeated than
would the keeping Of a German army
and navy. Therefore is it difficult to
see the inestimable benefits resulting
to Germany by the terms that were
forced on them by the Allies. How
many years would you estimate will it
require for Germany to be leading in
both the business and financial world?
A very few years will bring about that
condition of affairs if things are per-
mitted to continue as they are now go
ing.
Yet the supposed brains of the
world wrote and perfected that peace
treaty. Their desire to put Germany
under a peace bond that would re-
strain her from further mischief max
ing was laudable, but when they fail
ed to see that world disarmament is
the greatest safeguard against war,
and decided to keep immense standing
armies and navies to protect them
selves from Germany, which they had
made tooshless, they put in the mouth
of the monster exactly the kind Of
dentistry most needed to make her
surpass all competitors in the march
of progress. With the backs of the
people in all the Allied countries
alarmingly bowed with taxes in order
to make even a very poor display of
fireworks ks"-otherwise called an ar
my and navy-it will certainly be
most discouraging sight to them to
see their late vanquishcd foe forging
rapidly forward to her ultimate des-
tiny, under existing conditions, to be
the supreme financial power of the