San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-04
WHAT REMAINS TO GERMANY


United States few days ago with the
prediction that Germany would soon
become a nation divided against itself,
politically. One part, he said, would
! undertake to set up bolshevistic gov
eminent. and eventually there would be
another world war into which the great
powers would be drawn willy-nlly.
Possibly so. But it is difficult to see
/. how Germany. in her present financial
! plight--no gold to speak Of, and her
: currency worthless-coutd wage, or even
Z participate in as principal, war of
z large proportions. She might, indeed,
& become the battle-ground Il contending
factions from the outside. But Ger
; mary herself, it would appear, has few
!, resources left save her land.
: It has become a habit with both
! prophets and commentators to look at
the political side first. The signs there
arc extremely difficult to interpret. On
the economic side, the side generally
Z neglected. the signs are not so thorough
I ly undecipherable.
What will be left of Germany if, or
when, the anticipated collapse comes is
9 her soil. OF course there will be fac
Z tories and other Improvements" but
8 they will be, for the moment, non eXis-
Z. tent as factors in the general situation.
& ALREADY the farmers of Germany have
I resorted in some measure to barter
+ From the economic standpoint they are
) in a position somewhat like that OF the
& Russian peasants-well-to-do as COM
E pared with other classes.
Z But of course political activities are
4 more conspicuous than the economic
(. and doubtless that is why first and al
Z most exclusive attention is being given
8 to the former in Germany by persons
trying to get a preview of conditions
presaged by present tendencies. How
ever, if Germany should be reduced tC
her agricultural resources, perforce, ant
those in control of those resources SHOULD
move to protect their own interests, a;
$ we'll they might, then it would seen
{. logical to anticipate changes more basi
= cally of an economic than of politica
Z character-changes that would have t.
z. take place before there could be any
S thing material for the support OF tn
i political.
4 This might mean, conccivably,
period of foreign political control. Franc
Z might be expected to insist upon this
= and the British might have to acquie5c
. in joint administration Of Germany
s affairs lest France carry her present ad
venture to its logical conclusion. 1t
hardly conceivable, however, that Britli
:, would consent to such plan excer
as temporary measure.
IF some less radical solution of tn
situation is not agreed upon. and thu
shortly, control of Germany's polite;
ssaffairs by her debtors may present til
only opportunity OF salvation for thos
swho have not yet reached the hopele:
stage-namely, the great body IF &c
man farmers who thus far have gor
about their own affairs without man
Testing excited interest in the polite
turmoil in which other classes a
wrapped
8 That much of -Germany's post-w
trouble has been due to political mi
+ management-to selfishness on the pa
of industrial interests, to lack Of il
aginntion on the part Of the goyernnle
sffieials. and to the failure OF near
sall in political or governmental pow
& &c realize the impression they we
creating upon the outside worlds