Evening star., 1921-03-27
EUROPEAN QUAGMIRE
BREEDING NEW WARS
Continent, Lacking in Constructive Lead
J. ership, Fails to Meet Issues-All Po-
tential Sources of Future Strife.

bearing on the reparationS issue,
which, with Germany's refusal to pay
the allied commission 1000, 100000
marks, gold, during the past week.
as demanded. and her disputlng the
2O,0O0, 100000 marks. gold. which the
allies insist must be paid by May 1.
is again to the fore. as much as at
any period since the treaty of Ver-
sailleS was signed.
Should the Germans be cut off from
the mining sections of SLesia, which
seems possible because of the French
belief that this would prevent Ger
many from obtaining supplies with
which to- prepare for future war, Ger
many cannot be expected to meet al
lied stipulations, the Quai d'Orsay
to the contrary. Particularly is this
true if the allies enforce to the limit
the penalties provided for non-fulfill-
ment of the treaty. This means the
occupation of the Rhine and places
Germany's main sources of natural
supply directly in the hands of
from which Germany can expect lit
tie, If anything.
New Proposals Possible.
Germany, it is reported, will make
new reparations proposals to the al
lies. and undoubtedly some trade
for the SileSian mine fields may be
proposed. in order that Germany may
L.
consideration will be given to any
proposition depriving Poland of guar
anteed industrial freedom. Yet il
Germany is really unable to meet al
lied stipulations without natural re-
sources. the allies will inflict further
penalties to collect whatever sum they
can. That it will be an increasingly
small sum becomes more apparent,
particularly if the French policy is
continued.
If the reparations question were
not enough, the allies have tremen-
dous problem to face in case the
present communist endeavor in Ger
many should fan the flames of gen
eral communistic revolt and succeed
in overthrowing the present govern
ment.
Just what would the allies receive
in such contingency?
This is a question that undoubtedly
has given gravest consideration in
European foreign Offices. in view of
undoubted future union Of German
communists with Russia
Possible Red Dangers.
The radicals Of Germany, eliciting
the support Of tho laboring elements,
who consider allied terms obnoxious
doubtedly would resist payment OF
any sum and tear up the treaty OF
Versailles, turning to the allies and
saying: DO your worst" And it is
believed in certain circles that the al
lied worst would be to begin imme-
diately preparations to resist the open
attempts to bolshevize the remainder
of Europe. Reparations in such con-
tingency would be minor issue.
bolshevist Germany, allied agree
ments in Poland and other of the
smaller eastern European countries
could not stand; indeed. it is ques-
toned that the present governments
would be successful in perpetually
whole framework of allied political
influence would collapse. and the
fruits of after-tho-war schemings and
intrigues could not be realized by q
single nation.
German Course Narrow.
Germany has held up such buga-
boo before the eyes of the allies at
always has been regarded as threat
ready for injection into the inter
national political arguments at given
critical times for its influence upon
allied statesmen. SO far 1t has failed.
Because Of general unrest, however.
among the German people and Bit
ter hatred aroused because Of the
firm allied stipulations and conse-
auent penalties, even the German
people might prefer for time sane
'tions could be avoided. In the Ger
man mind there is little to choose
between the two at the moment
AS long as the communists remain
active and are able to effect such
upheavals as transpired in Hamburg
lust closed. the communist danger
is an ever-present one and must be
given consideration in view Of gen
eral German desire to evade the
peace treaty. Tho one PREDOMINANT
from the sparks that have already
been struck?~ The Berlin govern
ment reports that the situation is
under control. But can 1t be kept
in control with the Third 1nterna-
set of a bolshevist c&nfagrstion
throughout western Europe?
Intenationale at Work.
The upheaval may not come this
week or next, perhaps never, but 1t
is significant that the Third Interna-
tionale has decreed that the month
Of May be devoted to anarchistic
countries. with the hope Of finally
initiating the great revolution so
long planned for by Lenin and
Trotsky.
1t is peculiarly significant that
while it is announced that Russian
gold has been largely instrumental
in stirring up the past weeks terror.
Germany and England continue their
negotiations with Russia looking
toward a revival Of trade. which
would be tantamount to recognizing
the regime which 1t is admitted is
striking at their very vitais.
Is it a stupid attempt to WOO favor
of Ienin to avoid his futher under
handed plotting and to forest1H al
ready planned revolution?
only time viii reveal tho real rea-
sons