Evening star., 1923-08-26
RED WAR FEARED
WITH GERMAN HELP
: Authorities Here Pessmistic
i. Over Developments in
Central Europe.

A disquieting attitude exists in off,
cial Washington over the internal sit
uation in Germany, any change in
: which, no matter in what direction,
scems bound to have some effect on
the remainder of Europe in general.
the Associated Press has been in
formed from sources considered reli-
able.
From many members of the House
and Senate and others who have
studied European conditions at first
hand this summer. comes the private
unanimous opinion of alarm, and in
broadly representative diplomatic cir
cIes there is pronounced and almost
universal note of Encouragement. The
Associated Press has learned that
some representatives Of countries not
concerned directly with German repa-
rationS regard a crash In central
Europe as inevitable
Bad Food Prospects.
Nobody can predict future develop
ments in Germany. In diplomatic
circles at least, the degree of the
F.. danger is believed to hinge upon the
be ample stocks, it is pointed out that
these may not be generally available
for use because of serious transpor-
tation and currency difficulties. An
acute shortage. 1t is feared. might
produce a public desperation leading
= to the gravest developments. In
forma ton received in official circles
is said not to be reassuring, at least
50 far as concerns the food prospects
III the Ruhr this winter.
Although there is apparent in
Washington a realization that Ger
many is confronted with the danger
of collapse into Bolshevism unoer
the continued pressure, 1t is felt that
might result. On the other hand it
is pointed out that anything ap-
preaching complete dismemberment
would. serve to increase the social
unrest and perhaps lead to COM
munism. In this connection II is
contended that the present population
of Germany is about the maximum
possible under highly organized
industrial system and that any con-
siderable reduction in industrial
efficiency through the setting up OF a
number of independently states would
only intensity social problem now
regarded as acute.
Liaison With Russia
Although there Is said to be no
definite information available as TO
the existence of a liaiSon between Ger
man and Russian political leaders.
any direct communistic movement in
Germany would be successful in spite
of all efforts of the responsible
statesmen. The political leaders, it
lightly any possibility of union of
q red Germany with soviet Russia
for fear the resulting military phase
to Bolsheyism might develop an i'm
perialistic attack upon European
table hattlePrOund
Such war, in some diplomatic
opinion, would be disastrous in
military sense to both Russia mad
Germany, unless the Russian army,
cry almost without exception since
Peter the Great. should develop an
effectiveness beyond its own from
tiers. On the other hand. the present
received from several European
chancellories. Is well offlcered, of
good morale, excellently equipped,
except for airplanes and heavy ar
tillery. and is held to be in 4 position
to do considerable damage.
Recall French Revolution.
: The political possibilities involved
are recognized as profound. although
II Is admitted that in such an eventu-
ality prediction would be futile. But
it is not forgotten that revolution in
SllBnIly more Indn a century
ago liberated political concepts which
dominated that continent for many
decades and had its reactions even In
the United States, then Six-week
journey away.
In diplomatic circles a relaxation of
the pressure in the Ruhr is not ex-
.pected because of what is regarded as an
!nfiexible public opinion in France and
even in Germany, said to preclude any
marked change of policy on outstand-
ing questions at issue. Any such
change was held to be impossible long
before Premier Baldwin made his in
itial statement on reparations in COM
mons in what has been regarded as
an effort 10 save central Europe from
disaster.
IN these circumstances il has been
made clear since President Coolidge
assumed Office that there appears no
course open to the Washington gov
ernment with respect to Europe other
than the one mapped out under the
administration of President Harding
The wisdom Of that policy Is regarded
at both the White House and the
state department as already con-
frmed by events. There Is no doubt
Washington officials want to do what
the ycan to help, but the very ele-
ments which constitute the greatest
danger signs abroad, are regarded
as increasing the peril of any effort
toward mediation.