Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-25
Internal Situation
Shaky Despite Re-
cent Apparent I'm
movement - N on
Reparations Nations
See Crash in Central
Europe - In. Doubt
Over Form of Help
i. S. Should Extend
in Event of Chaotic
Conditions

washington, Aug. c4-(By A. Ply
rbs internal situation in Germany.
notwithstanding recent indication of
soms Improvement, is regarded in
washington with grave apprehen-
SION
Most American officials for OBJ
,ious reason have refrained from
discussing the question publicly but
MANY members of the House and
Senate and others who have stud
,sd European conditions at first hand
tbis summer agree privately that the
outlook is disquieting. In broadly
conservative diplomatic circles. too.
tsere is a pronounced and almost
universal note of encouragement.
Some representatives of countries
moi concerned directly with German
carnations regard a crash in central
Europe as inevitable.
In Diplomatic circles, relaxation
n, the pressure in the Ruhr is not eX-
pected because Of what is regarded
as an infleXible public opinion in
France and even in Germany, said to
preclude any marked change of pol
lev on outstanding questions at is
me. ANY such change was held to
be impossible long before Premier
Baldwin made his initial statement
on reparations in commons in which
has been regarded as an effort to
save central Europe from disaster.
In these circumstances, it has been
made clear since President Coolidge
assumed office that there appears no
course open to the Washington gov
eminent with respect to Europe
other than the one mapped out I'M
der the administration of President
Harding The wisdom of that policy
is regarded at both the White House
and the state department as already
confirmed by events. There is no
doubt Washington officials want to
do what they can to help, but the
very elements which constitute the
greater danger signs abroad are re-
garded as increasing the peril of any
effort toward mediation.
Just what form developments IN
Germany may take is regarded here
as highly uncertain. In diplomatic
circles, at least, the degree of the
danger is believed to hinge upon the
food situation. Although there may
he ample stocks, it is pointed out
that these may not be generally
available for use because of serious
tranopsrotation and currency diff
culties. An acute shortage, 1t Is
feared, might produce a public des-
peration leading to the gravest de-
relopments. Information received in
official circles is said not to be re-
assuring, at least so far as concerns
the food prospects in the Ruhr this
winter.
Although there is apparent in Wash
ington realization that Germany is
confronted with the danger of a col
lapse into bolshevism under the con-
tnued pressure, it is felt that perhaps
only separation movement might re-
suit, On the other hand, it is pointed
out that anything approaching COM
plets ACKNOWLEDGMENT would serve to
increase the social unrest and per-
maps lead to communism. In this con-
nection it is contended that the pres
ent population Of Germany is about
Inc maximum possible under a highly
organized industrial system and that
any considerable reduction in industrial
emciency through the setting up of
number Of independent states would
only intensity a social problem now
regarded as acute.
although there is said to be no def
n.e information available as to the
eAAence Of liason between German
saa russian political leaders. in some
aipomatlc circles it Is felt that any
ulrect communistic movement in Ger
. .M would be successful in spite OF
al enorts of the responsible statesmen,
, aau. than with their assistants. The
poAucal leaders, it is contended. can
NV contemplate lightly any possibility
o.. union of a Red Germany with
S Russia for fear the resulting
aa .iy phase to bolshemism might
rrseiop an imperialistic attack upon
opean frontiers with Germany the
'lesltable battle-ground.
q. sucn war. in some diplomatic opin-
, would be disastrous in a military
, lsase 10 both Russia and Germany I'M
us ,S.s lne Russian army. contrary to the
any a,s.ory or that country almost with
ss. .s xception since Peter the Great,
sous 'a develop an effectiveness be-
's'u us own frontiers,