New-York tribune., 1922-08-27
Enthusiasm OUer Re-
Gently Held : Regimen
tuI Reunions in b.
Dnrin ShOlUs HOU EUen
the BrOUbenten For
n.er Soldiers Are Viii
ling To Be Tyrannized
bU Officers Once More

81 can take root in Germany is one which
concerns the permanent peace of the
world. The internal political conditions of
Germany must therefore be Of enduring in
,srest to every nation IN Europe and to our
oWn country as well. Now, politics is largely
matter of psychology. Ii you know the
psychology of a race you may well hazard
guess at it's political life. The experience, the
history and the spiritual endowments Of peo-
ple are the determining factors in the creation
of nations psychology.
Until the defeat Of Germanys armies and
the desertion of her Kaiser German democracy
was the most exotic of plants--a hothouse
growth without fruit.
Has German psychology changed since the
ending of the great war? Has the German
nation regenerated itself and taken baptism in
the waters of democracy, washing out the
red stains Of four guilty years? Has she
emerged from the sacrament in robe of
white? Is her mood penitent, likely to bring
forth fruits of repentance or is she "impeni-
tent though scourged"? From the answers to
these questions we may read the world history
Of the next fifty years.
During the last year the writer has made
several tours through the length and breadth
Of the new republic. He has enjoyed unusual
facilities Of observation. He has talked with
men close to the present government, with
Z leaders of all the numerous parties and fac
tions. He has not disdained to listen to the
talk of the common people as they voice and
exchange opinions in the restaurants and bar
ber shops, on board the trains and steamers
His observations are set down fairly and accu-
rately The findings are as complete as care
i'll study can make them. The conclusions are
EFT to the reader.
Former President Wilson tried to draw
distinction between the German people. and
their military masters. Perhaps he meant to
imply that the people longed to be rid Of their
masters. The present government of Germany
is not dominated by the old military masters.
What about the German people? Facts easy
of ascertanment leave no doubt whatever
that very considerable portion of the German
people are still dominated by their ancient
military masters and that they publicly and
ostentatiously rejoice in the fact.
In every part of the new republic but espe-
cialy in the prosperous, solid and agricultural
south, the masses of the people long for re-
turn Of monarchy and the old military regime.
In the city of Munich dozen regiments of
the old army, officially dsbanded but actually
still well organized, met in "regmenta re-
unions in the month of May. The overwhelnl-
ing majority of the newspapers in the south
are frankly enthusiastic about these reunions
and vauntingly feature them in their news
columns and their editorials. What takes place
at these reunions? Nothing less than revival
Of the old loyalty of the barracks. The bar
racks indeed are to-day either abandoned or
devoted to other uses, but the spirit of the
barracks survives in all it's odious vigor. The
very men who have been abused by the petty
officers and the high officers rally around their
former masters and tormentors to exalt and
worship them. Princes of former royal houses,
stif-necked old generals utterly incapable of
reconstruction, are the guests of honor, and, as
far as their brains permit, the orators upon
Ludendorff is regular attendant at these
reglmental reunions. The officers are just
discreet enough to veil their contempt for the
republic, but the veil is never very thick. The
prlvates, touched by the condescension of their
Old superiors, are often restrained with diff
1iculty from cheering for the old order and
the king and kaiser and fighting the damned
soclalists' on the spot. Invariably the old
imperial colors are displayed exclusively; the
nag of the republic is avoided as if it were
IN quarantine Speeches made toasting
the old army and it's achievements in the late
war, the privates kotow to the officers as
lney did in 1913 and long before.
1t is humiliating to ones dignity as human
being to hear the poor beaten and cuffed sol
aiers shout for return of the "good old
days.s | spoke to two or three of these ex-
soldiers the day after such celebration, when
sney were quite sober.
You used to tell me- said, ''that your
lieutenant abused you without cause when you
We're in the army
Yes, sir"
en-
He did"