The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-25

Declare Military Weakness
Would Make Pact With
England Foolish.
By s. D. WEYER,
International News Service Staff
Correspondent,

- ~ w ~ Eth
International News Service STAFF
Correspondent.
Copyright 1893. by International
NEWS Servtce.1
BERLIN, Aug. 25.-Germany-
Frances ally in q war with Eng.
landi-
Impossible? ?" By no means
Stranger things than that have
happened in the incalculabls
course of history. At any rate:
While the German nation as 8
whole is clenching its fists and
chanting hymns Of hate and ven.
geance against France, some OF
its keenest military minds are de-
voting serious thought and dis
Greet discussion to the question
whether it will not be the logical
and advantageous thing for Ger
many to side with France in the
next European war.
That such q war viii come is,
with them, q foregone conclusion
and, being practical soldiers, they
have cast every sentimental con-
sideration aside and are concen-
trating their thought solely upon
the question:
slow can Germany save her
self from complete destruction in
that war;"
win Side With France.
and adviser Of three Of the foremost
German military chiefs-Ludendorff
Hoffman,. and Won Kluck-outIined,
In an exclusive interview with the
international News Service CORE.
spondent, the basic thoughts that
have led him to the conviction that
some time within the next few years
Germany will fight side by side with
her '.arch-enemy" against England,
the country upon which just at
present many Germans pin ardent
hopes as the ''rescuer from the
clutch of French militarism."
Rechherg would neither confirm
nor deny that Ludendorff shares his
views in this particular respect, but
he asserted positively that the two
others OF the trio of famous gen.
efAls-Hoffman1. who is recognized
as one Of the ablest of German
strategists. and Won Kluck, of. the
Kiuek flank" IN the advance upon
and retreat from Paris-subscribe
to every word of what follows.
Owing to their exposed public posi-.
ton, they cannot, Of course, openly
take stand on the subject at this
time. Here is Rechterg's argument:
Fear Franco-Belgian Pact.
England cannot stand for the
Franco.Belgian alliance. It il one
Of the fundamental principles Of
British policy upon the continent
that it must never allow Belgium to
come under the direct or indirect
influence of European great
power. Why? Because the Belgian
coast dominates the entrance to the
English Channel.
Nor can England permit France
to amalgamate the French ore reser-
voirs with the Saar and Ruhr coal
reservoirs. Such an amaigannation
would constitute the most gigantic
war-forge known in history. The
strategic communications between
the Ruhr and the Belgian coast are
excellent"
But surely" put In the inter-
viewer, you cannot expect France
to give up her alliance with Bel
gium?.
"No! That's just it. A Belgium
separate and Independent Of France
would be potential base Of attack
against France on the part of any
anti-French coalition
But there are no such coalitions"
objected the reporter. Rechberg
answered:
There are none now. but the very
nature Of events will force England
to form European coalition against
france, because the latter's military
and economic stranglehold upon the
Continent is in itself a menace and
q challenge to England But that is
the very reason why France must
~ all costs make herself the mistress
OF German coal; 1t will be indispensa-
DIE TO her in a war against England.
Belgium Relies On France.
Belgium is dependent upon
frances military power. Were Eng
land stronger militariIy than France,
tnen Belgium might be wise to line
with England, but at present
England cannot protect Belgium
ssalnst France. And alliances are
oonoltioned upon military strength.
now. IL France should succeed In
pShg Germany to capitulate in the
~,S'a the natural consequence
H.':o De permanent French conscli.
Moi, snn In the Ruhr area, Germany's
tssest Industrial reservoir. This, in
So would quickly widen the cieav-
"1 "esween France apd England.
Fren.S not say that the, Anglo
Dor sn differences may not be tern
temna smoothed over. but only
viii srIy; in the long run they
caus stronger and stronger, be-
.a.rI me cause Is irremovable.
NAV a. the German Government
he IN the not too far distant future
to whn with the question as
pursra policy Germany should
betwse IN case a war breaks out
M ' w France and England. Let
"Tn En the chances on both sides:
a,lv entering the war as EngIand's
wh,,e many would run great risks,
h. ~ ner chances Of success would
Oe slight. The French air feet n
nsloerahly superior to the English.