The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-14

no alternative but military occupa-
ton of Germ3'>y.
And now it - war! Not was in the
sense Of 1914; or even in the sense
of 1918. There will be no pitched bat
ties, no offensives, no counter-attacks.
1t will be an occupation-peaceabl
perhaps; with a few riots, excrescences
on the surface of a seething sea of
sullenness and hatred. 1t will be more
of an economic war. and a deafness
in Europe a. well as in Germany.
This is what will happen: The allies
land that means largely French
troops, for they have the mobile forces
ready will go into the Ruhr basin and
occupy that region, the richest indus
trial basin of Europe. In the Ruhr
most Of Germany's iron is turned into
steel; the whole region is a beehive OF
industry; in it are the famous Krupp
works-at- Essen-now devoted to
making locomotives, railroad cars and
machinery. An occupation, of course,
means a shutdown. Those who were
with the American forces in Germany
saw how stagnant all industries in
their region became, upon their en-
trance. Their raw materials came from
the unoccupied part, and there were
barriers Of red tape and prohibitions.
1t is an economic disaster, this occu-
patton of the Ruhr. 1t is a crushing
blow to Germany, Of course. 1t will
mean the fall Of the Simons ministry,
which refused to pay a $4,000, 000,0 600
indemnity, but what then? The Simons
group represented the leadership of the
moderate group; on the extreme right
were the royalists; on the extreme left
the soviet-seekers. To which group
will Germany turn? Either is equally
dangerous. The monarchists would
want Wilhelm, with his personal priv
ate Colt, back in Potsdam. The soviet
group is negotiating with Lenine in
Moscow. There isn't much choice be-
tween those evils.
1t isn't Germany alone to whom it is
an economic disaster. however. The
fate of all Europe is bound up in it,
and from it may come a future of
God knows what. The world has well
tered in blood and misery long enough.
Let US hope a quick agreement of some
sort will be reached.
1t seems apparent that this haste in
ordering the occupation of certain dis
tricts in Germany is a temporary ex-
pedient. It's purpose is to compel Ger
many to agree to the allied repara-
Cd of collection within itself. Allied
representatives believe that Germany
san pay more than her representa-
tives would agree to pay. If this is
correct inference, Germany will prob
ably yield to force and accept the
Paris schedule in order to terminate
the occupation. If, however, it shall |
appear that Germany has offered all
that can be paid, a new policy will |
have to be formulated. 1t is reason |
ably certain that indemnities beyond |
the economic resources of the country !
cannot be collected by force.
One of the aspects of the situation |
that is anomalous is that the Unit |!
ed States, which alone is technically at |!
war with Germany, is no partner in |
the invasion. Our troops are in the /
COblenz zone under the terms of the |
armfstice and as long as Germany |
abides by the armistice agreement we |
are restrained from any further steps. !
The new administration has entered !
office pledged to a separate peace with |
Germany. But it is unthinkable that |
at time when, our allies are invading |
the enemy country we would propose |
a peace. The mind naturally harks /
back to our failure to join the league !
of nations. If we had been represent
ed at the conferences at Paris and ,
London does anyone believe the de- !
bacle would have occurred.
Now Germany is going to appeal to
the weak and impotent league and will !
contend that the Versailles treaty is |
being violated. But as the league is |
more than the old entente it
will, Of course, sustain France and /
Great Britain.
Frank SimOnds says the invasion of
Germany will insure the bankruptcy Of
Europe and bring economic chaos.
We will suffer along with others and
can blame only our failure to carry
on" till the war was really over. Our
voice should have been heard in max
ing the decision and our arms should
have been relied on along with those
of our friends to enforce it.-Chatta-
nooga News.