The New York herald., 1922-07-23


Copyright, 1929, by THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
Berlin, July 15.
HE German Republic is a GEN.
tralized state. In the old Ger
= man Empire there were
twenty-six States grouped in the loose
confederation of the Empire. They
collected their own taxes, had their
own stamps, and some had their own
representation abroad. To-day this
number has been reduced to eighteen
and although some of the States, no.
tably Bavaria and Wuerttemberg, have
kept much of the appearance of au-
tonomy. yet the Republic Is central
lied General taxation. railroads, post
and telegraph are centralized in Ber-
lin. Foreign Powers notably the
Allies, in enforcing the peace treaty
handle Germany as one political en-
tity.
Germany has a new f1ag-black-red-
gold--instead of the old black-white-
red. The old flag, but with the ad-
dition of the new colors in the corner,
is still used by the merchant marine.
The flags are bitterly disputed between
republicans and monarchists.
The Republican Government, evcn
with Capitalization and extended
powers, often has been unable to exc
cute decisions when they contain
measures which operate either against
monarchists or against the particular
pretentions of the larger States.
Hence the passivity- Is too often re-
garded as bad faith on the part of the
Government for failing to prosecute
monarchist agitators and secret
monarchist military organizations
which smuggled arms and particpat-
ed in the assassination of Germany's
leading republican statesmen, notably
of Erzberger and of Rathenau.
Germany after the adjustments due
to defeat comprises 335,2S2 square
miles, with a population of 60,000,000
people. The total area of territory lost
was 43.4s1 square miles, with popu-
lation of 6,560,000. The Saar Valley,
the ultimate status of which will be
determined in fifteen years by .plebis-
cite, covers 1.190 square miles.
Land cessions under the Versailles
treaty cost Germany 33 per cent. nf
her anthracite coal production. But
the opening of new bituminous fields
has brought this production to Al per
cent above 1918. Other losses in
terms of pre-war production and
charged to the treaty areT74 per cent.
of iron ore; 90 per cent. Of blast fur
naces; Is per cent. pig iron: 10 per
cent sugar beet productions; 10 per
cent. potato crop; Is per cent. grain.
Germany, according to the terms of
the peace treaty, can keep but an
army of 100000 men. The actual
number momentarily is some 5000
less. These are enlisted for twelve
years. In addition thereto a semi
mlitarized police force Of 100000 men
is only intended to maintain internal
order.
The Reichstag is the German legis-
lative body which changed from
debating society under the Monarchy
TO the center Of authority in the Re-
public. There are 466 members. rep
resenting ten parties.
Women have full suffrage in Ger
many. The Conservative and Catholic
parties found nearly 60 per cent. of
their voters at the last election among
the women. while in labor parties
women only filed 81 per cent. of the
ballots.
German railroads are state owned
Where formerly these roads were op-
Grated by $4,000 men the application
Of the eight hour day has forced the
employment of 1,05o.o0o men in all
departments.
That the German railroads have re-
turned almost to their pre-war status
Is indicated by the fact that 33.1sS
miles are now in operation, against
35,937 before the war. Freight and
passenger traffic is "a per cent. Of
the pre-war figure. Freight carrying
increased partly because bordering
countries with high exchange rates
are routing their goods through Ger
many.
OF the total of 100000 wage and
salary earners in Germany 100000
are enrolled in trade unions. Before
the war only 100000 were enrolled.
Germanys unemployment has de-
creased to a minimum never reached
in pre-war times. Unionized work.
ers, which constitute two-thirds of
all workers, have only nine-tenths of
one per cent. unemployed. In the
entire country there are 69.o17 unem-
pioyed from all causes. Last year
there were 394.262 out Of work.
Compulsory health insurance is pro-
vided by the German Government for
all manual workers. There are 49,
100000 men and women enrolled in
the system at this time. The state
alec pays an unemployment dole to
those unavoidably out Of work.
Germany's manufacture of sugar 10
half of that before the war. While