New-York tribune., 1922-05-14
Gen. Rennekampf, Blamed
for 1annenberg Defeat,
Appears at Hamburg in
Cuisc of Propagandist
Wants 2 Countries United
New Military Magazine,
Openly Financed by Rus
sia, Published in Berlin
BY Joseph Shaplen
BIZ W'ireleaa TO The Trtbuns


BERLIN, May 13.---General Renne-
kampf, who was Hindenbura's chief op-
ponent in East Prussia during the
World War and who is regarded as be-
ing chiefly responsible for The Russian
defeat at Tnnnenberg because Of gross
has bobbed up in Hamburg.
In an intervew he declared that
Russia must cooperate with Ger
many in every way in order that
both countries might ex.ricate them
selves from their difficulties. In
short, the Russian "hero," who after
the Battle Of T'annenberg was regarded
AZ little less than traitor, limited
broadly that Russia and Germany must
stand together against the rest Of Eu-
rope if necessary to recoup their lost
positions.
Rennekampf, who is now in the serv-
ice Of the Russian Soviet government,
delared the Rapallo Treaty was re-
ceived in Russia with the greatest en-
thusias1n, not only because Of its i'm
mediate advantages but because of it's
foreign policy Of the Lenine govern
nent, tho former Czarist general de-
clared, finds approval among all classes
Of Russians, including the monarchists.
Says Reds Policy Is Nationalistic
"The policy of the Soviet govern
ment," he said, "is distinctly national
iatic. No Russian party will object to
Germany's cooperation with Russia in
q pun Of restoration"
The great aim of Russia, the general
said. is to restore her former position
on the Baltic by regaining territories
now embodied in the Baltic states. II
was quite natural, he asserted that two
Of Europe's greatest countries, which
have been rendered helpless by the
Versailles treaty, should help each
other.
Russia" he declared, "is being
hurled back toward Asia by the loss Of
territory in the north and the south,
while on our own border there has
been placed an armed police force
however, cannot live without US. Their
life is bound UP in ours and the roots
Of their existence are buried deep in
Russian soil This situation cannot last
forever Many people Of these hostile
states realize that much already. An
independent existence for them is i'm
possible.'
Many former Russian officers now
living here declare that Rennekampf's
statement that Russia is now pursuing
a nationalistic policy is significant in
view Of the fact that the Versailles
treaty is just now being discussed as
the barrier that prevents Germany
from developing along her old lines
New Military Magazine Appears
1t is also significant that a new mill
tary magazine is just coming out in
Berlin. 1t is called "War and Peace"
and is openly financed by the Soviet
government. The contributors to the
publication are prominent German and
Russian military officers, authorities
and specialists.
In the leading articles of the first
number of "War and Peace" it is de-
clared the idea of abolishing war is
Utopian and the need is pointed out
OF making an intensive study Of mill
tary problems. Thus, the Soviet gov
ernment, whose representatives at
Genoa are making a play for disarma-
ment and the maintenance of peace, are
operating openly a purely militaristic
publication based on the idea that war
is inevitable.
Pacifsts Fear Rapallo Treaty
In view Of all this, it is no surprise
that German Socialists and pacifsts
are beginning to realize the grave dan
ger of the Rapalla treaty as the basis
Of new European conflict Thus Herr
Gerlach the leading pacihst editor,
assails Foreign Minister Rathenau for
concluding the treaty, denouncing it as
q stupid piece of diplomacy and also as
dangerous to European peace. This, he
finds, is particularly true because of
the significance given to the treaty by
Rennekampf, the Soviet spokesman.
Gerlach declares that Rathenau has
placed Germany in an extremely
dubious position, particularly because
of the manner in which the Bolshevik
leaders seek to utilize the treaty for
propaganda purposes. Quoting Trotzky's
recent speech to the Red Army, in
which he told the soldiers that Russia
would support herself on the German
treaty in her efforts to repeal attacks
upon Russian independence, and bade
the Red Army to hold "its sharp sword
i'll readiness" Gerlach hercely assails
the Soviet miiitarists, who, he says, are
now speaking the language of the erst-
while William IL.
Gerlach also attacks Rathenau for
his Russian policy, charging that it
plays directly into the hands Of the