The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-04-02
Soon Germany Cannot Pay,
Then Dismemberment
Will Come.
FRENCH OCCUPATION TOO
Sanctions Not Measures of Re-
/. taliatiOn but Of Fixed
Policy.

Special Gable TO THE New YoRK HERALD.
Copyright. 1929, by THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Berlin. April /. s
"At Genoa Russia will be the active
subject and Germany the object un-
able to act. 1 do not expect positive
results from the Genoa conference for
Germany. Neither do I see any JUS
LITIGATION for DIR. Walter Rathenau's
opinion that the Genoa conference will
at least be the first in a series of
events which ultimately will bear
good fruits for Germany"
Thus spoke Count Ernst Reventlow,
a well known Nationalist politician
with monarchst leanings and tell
ing spokesman of the extremist Ma
tionalist viewpoint in Germany. when
interviewed by THE NEW York HERALD
correspondent to-day.
There is an idea widespread here
and abroad" he continued, "that the
French policy toward Germany Is
merely the product of a spirit OF
hatred and is still based on war men
tality.' That is an opinion as short
sighted as it Is wrong. France is pur-
suing cool, carefully planned policy
Of breaking up the German State.
BerIin's Mistake.
"This policy was openly admitted by
Poincare in the Revue DIES DeuT Mondca
before he became French Premier. The
demand of the Preparations Commission
that Germany raise 60,000,0 900. 900 marks
In additional taxes was refused by the
trth IN
however, the Government continues the
policy Of trying to comply with the repa-
rations demands in order to prove that
Germany cannot comply. This is where
the Government makes a mistake. /,
knows that Germany cannot pay the
reparations demands and therefore Duglt
to know that the moment will come very
soon when payments cannot be con-
tlnued.
France then viii not hesitate t.
apply military and other sanctions. My
political friends know those sanctions
and that inevitably sooner or later
there will follow the total and irrepar
able ruin of the German people-anC
they know much more--that these sane
tons are but the preparatory steps Of
Frances Interior policy of breaking Ger
many to pieces and definitely abolish
ing the existence of a united and un.
mutilated Germany.
Our proper policy Is to declare right
now that we are unable to pay the
reparations. In doing so we would
frankly and honestly express what every
German knows and would offer to prove
our statement to the Allies 1t is
charged that this policy is apt to pro-
woke retaliatory measures by France.
II reality. however, we know that those
measures will come sooner or later
fulfillment or no ulflllment-because
they are not measures of retaliation but
OF policy. And the sooner Germany
goes through the inevitable suffering the
better for her future.
No Flat Refusals.
1--WE do not refuse fatty to pay the
reparations. We merely declare that
the present system cannot be carried
out and that we are ready TO find an
other system by negotiation. We dc
not propose to violate the Versailles
treaty, so often violted In France. As
for the often repeated Idea that Eng
land Is politically supporting Germany
that is absolutely wrong. England viii
not do so until Germany is more con-
solidated and flrmer than at present.
1--WE deplore Americas reserved atti-
Jude concerning the reconstructicr Of
Europe. but we can thoroughly t.nder.
stand her reasons. IL France reduces
her army her hcgemony on the Euro
pean continent remains unchanged. II
would be merely q moral victory for
France. making IL easier for her 10 con.
tinue her present policy.
ut Is foolish to believe that we arc
waiting for our revenge. We would not
stand the slightest chance in such war
As for the question of monarchy, the
German people need a sovereign but
any attempt to Introduce monarchy by
force Is doomed to failure and would
gravely harm Germany. The restoration
81 the monarchy will be justified only II
favorably received and supported ty the
bulk of the population"