Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-17
OPEN SEASON FOR
GERMAN CRISES
BY WILLIAM BIRD
Especial Cable Service to The Journal.)
Copyright, 1929

Copyright, 1921
French eIation over the capitulation OF
| Germany on the repara tons question is
| tempered by the fact that a series OF
| "crises'' is about to begin. There will be
| a crisis on each date when Germany is
called upon to perform some act of her
| tremendous undertaking. These crises will
extend over a period of forty-two years.
PARIS, May 14.-London Punch
remarks this week that one of the
most abhorrent things about war is
that it leads to peace Certainly the
remark is not without point at the
| present moment.
The Versailles treaty has come
into full effect The allies have pre-
scented bill which Germany recog-
nizes as correct and promises to pay.
One would think that ought to set
tie the matter and that the world
might now settle down to enjoy the
BLESSINGS of warlessness.
Such, however, is not the case.
What happened is that the allies
it is necessary to hold a perpetual
| menace" over Germany. Therefore
the re-mobiliZed soldiers will not be
demobilized, and the world is just
that much further from disarmament.
Germany is expected to meet the
first 'criseS payment" of twelve bill
lion marks satisfactorily, but the
rub will come on the question of Ger
man disarmament June 80. Although
the Catholic center party, predomi-
mating Bavaria, holds prominent
place in the new government, it's
members are VIGOROUSLY opposed to
disarming the Bavarian irregulars.
viii the new government dare try to
force Bavaria to disarm? 1t seems
unlikely. Thus June 80 marks the
French officials say the Ruhr occu-
patton plan will become automatical-
ly operative on that date if the dis
armament is not accomplished.
But supposing disarmament is &C
complished, what then? Then fol-
lows a long list of other dates, each
one bringing a new crisis of it's own.
Germany's failure to give entire sat
lsfactlon on any one of these dates
would entail instant military meas
ures, which in Euclid's phrase is alb
Surd.
Sane observers agree that the
world must find some more practical
method of winding up the war than
the keeping of all humanity on tenter
hooks for forty-tWo years.
AS indicated last week, the pres
ent arrangement is only temporary
and is designed to save the BRAND
cabinet without actually invading
Germany. No other solution is posi-
BILE at the moment. However. this is
not the last word that will be said.
Leaving out the troublesome dis
armament question (Which ought not
to be left out. but no suggestion for
solution Of it is available at the mo-
ment), the work of the politicians
seems about finished. What remains
concerns the financiers.
How much can Germany's prom
Use to pay be sold for over the coun-
ter? Who will buy that promise
The semi-officia1 LIE Temps already
is suggesting that Great Britain
should accept part oDFrance's claims
the part that falls due in the in
definite future-in settlement OF
Frances war debts to England.
1t is held by many Britishers. how;
ever, that Germany now has signed
a schedule of future indemnity pay
ments. so the continental allies in
debted to Great Britain should draw
up a schedule of payments they ex-
pect to make upon their debts. An eff
fort to do so would. of course, entail
making provisions also for the pay
ment of allied debts to America.