The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-07-16

ises to make the German defeat as
final as that which erased Spain
from the list of great nations near
ly three centuries ago.
Living Standard Lowered.
Incapable of accepting this doom,
German passion has turned inward.
1t is expanding itself upon pre-
cisely those leaders who see the
truth as il is and are endeavoring
to adjust contemporary Germany to
the situation which exists. Rather
than pay France, Germany has
made of herself an official bank
rupt. At the moment we have the
spectacle of a people. Industrious
beyond comparison and busy to the
limit, submitting to incredible ex-
ploitation. German exchange daily
hits a new level and by virtue of
this exchange situation German
productions are able to underseH
those of all other industrial ma
tions. Yet, while the profits ad-
vantage a few manufacturers, the
state increases it's deficit and the
mass of the people suffer a con-
stantly decreasing standard of liv-
ing.
1t Is a fact that every one who
visits Germany brings back a per-
sonal Interpretation of present con-
ditions. Yet it seems reasonably
clear that underneath superficial
activity and apparent normally. as
disclosed in busy factories, the po-
litical. the moral and the intellec-
tual edifice is rapidly disintegrat-
ing.
Rules by Terrorism.
The old regime maintains a GER
tain power by means of terrorism.
II assassinates all who seek to
make possible the existing republic.
it propagates hatred of France to
obtain that passion which can alone
supply motive power for it's ma
chine.
Every sign that one can distin-
guish in contemporary Germany
points Enthusiastically toward some
real convulsion. The revolution of
1918 was a sham. The republic
which exists today is a shadow
rather than a reality. 1t is true
that Socialists and Communists pos
sess sufficient strength. when COM
bined. to prevent a restoration Of
the old regime. But it is equally
true that the old regime possesses
sufficient power. expressed in muir
dor. to prevent the republic from
succeeding.
Germany might have been saved
in 1918. II. as France in 1870 after
the fall of the Third Empire. she
had fallen into competent hands.
But there wer no leaders to take
charge, Gambetta. Theirs. all Of the
score of first rate men who rallied
to save France found no German
counterparts. The old crew desert
ed the ship. there was no new crew
available and IL here and there a
man like Eisner, like Erzberger,
like Rathsnau showed some ca
pacity for navigating the craft, he
was shot from behind.
DisIOyaI to New Germany.
The fact that seems unmistak-
able is that those who ruled Ger
many before the defeat had staked
all upon the success of a conception
Of Germany which was destroyed
by defeat. Germany in some fash
ion is left. to be sure. but for this
nor loyalty. 1t is not the Germany
which exists, but their Germany,
which holds all their devotion. II
you contrast French leaders after
1870 with German after 1918 the
tull force OF the thing becomes
patent.
Recall the comment of that old
prince, the Duke d'AumaIe. when
Bazaine, defending himself for his
alleged treason at Metz. declared
that with the fall of Napoleon there
was nothing else to serve. There
was always France" said the in
dignant auditor. And it was to this
France that men of all parties.
save the Communists, rallied. But
so far as one can see no such con-
ception of Germany resides in Ger
man minds. Frenchmen of 1871 did
not accept defeat as final. submit
without secret reservation, to the
terms of the treaty of Frankfort.
but they did face the fact.
May Return to Old System.
The truth is that there was in
Germany. no opposition, nothing to
compare with the men who fought
Napoleon III when he was power
tul and prosperous and overthrow
him when he failed. The Hohen-
zoilern system had sucked I'D all
or almost all of the brains and the
character of the country. When II
crashed down there was nothing
Ieft and there has been nothing
up 10 the present moment. More
over one may judge from presen,
circumstances that those who
served the old order are resolved
that there shall be nothing. that
In the end the old will be restored
because the new will lack all now
En- dignity appeal, that from sheer
WEAKNESS, II for no other reason.
tne mass OF the German people will
presently turn back to the system
winch existed before the war
Heal Revolution Impend..
Yet in this the probable solution
VIII terrorism and assassination IN
the end prevail? One NAV doubt n.
rather, 1t seems to me, Gernaryt
marching toward a real rsvoIutio-
10 imagine that Germany's naieh-
oors would today permit a real e..
toration in Germany, with foIr
warning of what such a restoratin,
would mean to them. Is to imagine
nonsense. The British, for exam
PIE are the most interested and
the most outspaken in urging Lent
ence toward the conquered foe bnt
IL Is not even thinkable that Brit
Ish protest would be raised against
French, Polish. Belgian intervention
II monarchial restoration wers
tired In any present time.
me monarchists are caught IN
the horns of a dilemma. To ra..In
power they are preaching ba,o