Evening star., 1924-12-23
ASKS FOR SPECIAL
STATUS INLEAGUE
Siresemann Sends Note on
Inability of Germany to
Take Part in Sanctions.
BY The Associated Press.

up the WnOle problem OF Iefindh
armaments. Germany has sent a note
to the League Of Nations touching
the question of Germany's joining
the league In the note the Berlin
government declares it's view that
IL international conflicts arise Ger
many should remain absolutely free
under the league covenant to deter
mine how far she would take an
active part in such conflicts.
The text of the note, which is pub
Ashed by the league secretariat
shows that Germany desires an ex-
ceptional position as q member of
the league because Of her lack of
armed strength, though she denies
any intention of asking for special priv
fleges. Germany maintains that II she
is obliged to participate in all Of the
league military sanctions she would be
compelled to waive her right TO neu-
trality-"the last defense of dis
armed people"
The reaction in league circles to
the German note, which the Berlin
government also transmitted TO all
the governments represented In the
council, is that IL will be certain
10 necessitate lengthy negotiations
with the powers and presumably de-
lay the date when Germany Will for
mally apply for admission to the
league, If she ever does. 1t inevita-
bly, links the league question with
the general problem Of interallied
control and future Investigations of
German armaments which may be
carried on by the league.
Written by Stresemann.
Or. Gustav Stresemsnn, the foreign
minister, himself penned the note.
The German position is outlined in
the note, which says that article IS.
,T~t to- - H.
sd against covenant t-breaking state
IN the event of violation of peace,
binds the league members TO eco
nomic and military measures such as
in general have heretofore implied a
state Of war. States participating in
such measures must expect to be
treated as belligerents by the state
affected, and the success Of the sane
tions might be jeopardized when they
were directed against countries hav-
ing at their disposal, las is still the
case" an unlimited and powerful war
equipment.
All Run Some Risk.
II is argued by Dr. Stresemann that
nearly all the league members run a
certain risk. He insists. however.
that the risk becomes unbearable IN
the case of a country like Germany,
which Is centrally situated and COM
pietely disarmed" He then draws a
comparison between the German mil
jtary situation and those OF her
neighbors, including France, although
he does not specifically designate
that country.
Germany, with more than 10000, 900
inha bitants, and a frontier of nearly
$500 miles, and an extensive coast
ltne, he points out, has an army OF
only 100000 effectives, all told. He
rictures Germany as a country where
universal compulsory military serv-
re has been abolished, with no re-
serves In training. and maintains
hat quite apart from their numeri-
Cal inferiority. the German troops
aannot in any way be compared with
tho armies of other countries, be-
cause they possess no heavy artil-
lsry, no aircraft and no tanks. The
fSrtresses on the western front have
been RACED and the few fortresses
olsewhere he Considers wholly anti
qnated.
Satisfy Peace Demands.
In the west, DR.. Stresemann says,
-fore than 10000 square miles of Ger
man territory have been demilitar-
lied, though solely TO the advantage
ufe Germany's neighbors. There are
no state munition factories, and the
cstacity of the existing factories
the number and special nature of
which have been accurately deter
-Hned"-rnerely suffices to satisfy cur
rent peacetime demands.
#"The strength of the Navy" con-
tfnues the note, rs far below the
Armament limits fixed in the Wash
ington agreement OF February 6, 1922.
On the other hand, apart from their
nayies, the ornaments possibilities OF
unlimited. and their output of mod
eEn war material is subject to no
restriction. Some states adjoining
Germany possess. even according to
their peacetime status. five thousand
tanks, 1900 military airplanes and
$50 batteries of heavy artillery.
War Strength Reserves.
.-All of these states have at their
disposal large reserves of material In
the event of war. One such neighbor-
irg state-a state with fewer than
5000, 600 inhabitants-has a standing
aTmy of $4,000 men: another, with
fewer than 1900, 900 inhabitants, has
anstanding army of over $50, 900 men.
~ third, with fewer than 10000. 900 in
habitants has standing army of
el5, 600, and a fourth, with fewer than
10000, 900 inha bitants, has a standing
army of 100000. All these armies are
based on a system OF universal COM
palsory military service, which in the
event of war insures the utilization Of
the entire strength of the nation"
At Mercy OF All.
The note declares that for these
-nasons Germany is quite impotent
ftpm military standpoint In the
midst of a heavily armed Europe.
md continues: Should the meas
t6fes provided for in article 16 lead
t6 hostilities, Germany is incapable of
effectively protecting her territory
against military invasion: she would
be, completely dependent upon the
members of the league for military
pFotectton, without there existing
any power to compel these members
to afford that protection. In a ma
jSrity of conceivable cases Germany
would be, SO to speak, predestined
as the scene of European league wars
Even II the covenant-break!ng state
should not be an immediate. neighbor
of Germany, II is to be feared that
,nfavorabie developments In military
operations might carry the war into
her unprotected territory.
,sEven assuming loyal fulillment of
their obligations under the covenant.
one must bear In mind that the leagues
on-Gernan troops would never de-
fSnd German soil with the same de-
vetion they would show in the case
of their own country being involved.
That German troops. in view of their
small numbers and lack Of all modern
means Of warfare. could play only
ap insignificant part in such wars
needs no further proof.
Strength OF League.
=, to k~s