The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-02-22
CURRENT COMMENT
Could Germany Fight?

In lecture delivered before thu
students of Wesleyan university, o
summary OF which appeared yesterday
in the columns of the Transcript, Mr.
Charles, professor OF American
literature and civilization at the
University Of Paris, declared that there
was plenty of evidence to show that
Germany was making preparations for
war. Such preparations would clearly
imply a determination on Germany's
part to institute war revenge as soon
as this became practicable. As evidence
of warlike activit., he points out
that shotguns are being manufactured
by the hundreds of thousands which
overnight aan be transformed into
military rifles; that agricultural
motors looking more like tanks
than ploughing implements, and that
new cannon tubes have been found,
made by the hands of socialist work
men. Cenain public works, moreover,
that the government is now carrying
on. declare Professor Cestre, are prep
aratioin for future military activity.
As an example, he cites the building
of strategic railroads, not necessary
for the purposes of trade, intended TO
replace the railroads. now dismantled.
used in 1914 for the mobilization of the
German army. "As next neighbors 10
the country that put the world TO fire
an dto the sword" he is quoted as
saying: eve are bound to take the
realistic point of view in watching
what is going on behind the seemingly
meek shabbiness of the facade"
Though most Americans will SYM
pathize with Professor Cestre in his in
sistence that France, under the condi
tons at present prevailing in interna-
tional affairs, must not only maintain
strong army, but must watch with
vigilant eve the course of events be-
yond the Rhine, there viii nevertheless
be few who will bring themselves TO
believe that France is in any real
danger from a renascent German mill
tary effort. An allied commission aft
err a frst-hand investigation has found
that the German government has re-
duced its army to the figure Of l00.-
900 provided for in the treaty of
Versailles. The great general staff is a
thing Of the past. Irregular forces in
excess of this number undoubtedly
exist; but these can hardly be sufficient
in number, and sufficiently organized
70 swing the tide of battle in Ger
many's favor The government at Ber-
lin stands periliously near to financial
Modern war under the
most favorable circumstances is an ex-
pensive undertaking. as most eoun.
tries in the world know 20 their cost. |
Could Germany paw the bill even for a
few months! German sea-power il
virtually non-existent: and in a war
against France that lack Of navy would /
prove a severe. perhaps a fatal handi- 4
cap. France. finally, possesses the most 1
formidable army in the world; far
superior IN moral training and ef-
feiency to any that Germany could 1
hope 10 put in the field for many years
10 come.
Against such odds il would be suicid.
4 for either the German government er
people 70 plunge Europe into q new
struggle Ia an endeAvor "a wreak ven
zeance upon France for her share n
ne downfall q the Hohenzollsn en-
sire. Reactionaries there are in Ger
nznv no doulf vho vouh like 70 see
heir country make this rerv attempt
let inaliduc resrees % the ius'gmerf -
proiessor tettfs. are MOI - rear
sararles q sorry minority in oampar-
Iten with thaf large body 90 fserrnsns
rho desire nothiar better for thesr
eantrr thar en- tra ~ unhrcksn
isacs ,-Bosicu Ira1sarlTi-