The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-08-31
Chancellor Stresemann of Ger
many Suddenly Assumes Die
tatorial Powers.
WILL FORCE RICH TO PAY
Poinearss skillful Reply to Hritain
Shows France to Be unyieIding-
American Government Prepares
to Cope With Threatened An.
thracite Miners Strike.
ev EDWARD w. PIcKARD

BY EDWARD w. PlCkARD
~ ERMANY Is virtually in the hands
" of a dictator at last. Chancellor
Stresemann, disgusted with the condi-
ton into which his country has de-
generated and with the everlasting po-
litical sQuabbles Of the factions in the
reichstag, has taken matters into his
own hands and determined to carry out
his measures without consulting the
reichstag and without regard to whom
they hit. He says he believes he can
restore financial and economic order
within four weeks, and that II he fails
there is no hope for Germany and all
is lost.
From quiet and conservative man
Herr Stresemann has become suddenly
a leader much like Mussolini, of swift
and determined action and ready to
go to any length. Laying his plans
before his Cabinet he received its
promise of unqualified support. and
the leaders Of the parties in the reichs-
tag also agreed to permit him to carry
out his measures without interference.
Thereupon he announced that, first, he
must have about $1OO,000,000 of the
huge sums which the industrial mag
mates have accumulated and hidden in
foreign banks. This he expected as
voluntary contribution" but said II
necessary he would ,confiscate between
a fourth and a third Of all foreign
moneys held by them. Everyone was
to be required to state under oath his
holdings of foreign currency and those
who falsified the returns would be Sc
verely punished. He is prepared to
follow this order with another confis-
eating one-fourth to ene-third of all
private property in Germany. Accord
ing to President Ebert, these DEGREES
will scarcely affect the working and
middle classes, as the utter collapse Of
the mark has practically wiped out
private ownership by them. The up
per classes, including the Industrial
magnates. will have to do the paying,
and it is presumed the latter. at least,
will not dare to resist.
For the present Stresemann's chief
concern is the internal welfare of Ger
many, and the first money he obtains
will be used for the purchase and inn
portation of fats and other foodstuffs
that the country lacks. Afterward he
hopes to collect funds for reparations
payments and for restoring financial
and economic stability. The present
situation is highly pleasing to the Com
munists. who are looking for real
revolution next October or November.
when they will proclaim Red regime.
Their hopes are bolstered by the ire
menaous increase in prices and the
shortage Of food. the lack Of coal for
the winter and the great increase in
unemployment. German coal is selling
for $25 a ton, though English coal can
be had for $12.
The monarchists also, especially
those Of Bavaria. are getting ready
to try to set up a military dictatorship.
Herr Stresemann went to Bavaria at
the end of the week ITO study the stu
alton there, though he was warned
that his life would be in danger on the
trip. Indeed. one need not be surprised
to read any day that the chancellor
has been assassinated. 1t is said an
attempt to kill him in his Berlin resi-
dence was frustrated few days ago
and that the assassins were members
of the same monarchistic organization
that killed Erzberger and Rathenau.
&C AS LUMINOUS as the skies of
\ "A France and as hard as Lor.
Aaine steel IS the way the Paris Matin
characterizes the reply of Premier
Poincare to Lord Curzon's recent note.
The answer was handed to the British