Evening star., 1924-10-12
GERMAN POSITION
ON LEAGUE CLEAR
Sees Chance to Get Back
Some of Old Prestige by
Status as Full Member,
BY Cable to The Star and New York World.
Copyright, 1924

BY Cable to The Star and New York World.
Copyright. 1924
BERLIN. October 11.--Germany de-
mands the return of her lost glory
She wants back her status as a great
power: more territory, mandates over
her former colonies, and a full free
voice In the affairs of Europe. She
wants back her status as the great
industrial power, and full, free voice
in the affairs of the world
This is the explanation of her at
titude In the League of Nations nego-
tlations: of the revived debate on war
guilt: of her ill-timed diplomatic ag-
gressiveness.
For five years the world has grown
accustomed to thinking of Germany
as a has-been. The world overlooked
the conviction of a majority of the
German people that they did not lose
the war; that they had been be
trayed" into an armistice by Presi-
dent Wilson's IA points. TO the Ger
mans Germany has never been down
and out; only temporary embarrassed.
Two Rondx to Glory.
Temporarily embarrassed by repa-
rations. That stone of payments to
come kept bearing her down. Once
the London compact was reached,
tween debtor and creditor was agreed
upon. Germany's politicians began
to squirt forward.
There are two ways of regainng
Elory-war or peaceful negotiation.
War was out of the question. In the
peaceful negotiations, or rather dip
lomatic maneuverings. there were
still two choices. Germany could be-
come member of her own entente
n~ly
and eventually Austria. Or she could
come into the league and, sitting with
her former enemies wrest from them
what they had taken at the peace
conference.
Germany has decided to join the
league. Characteristically. that de-
cision is involved in host of condi-
tions, all explained by the opening
paragraph of this story. She wants
a place in the council; a status of
neutrality: assurance that she is not
again called upon to avow her guilt.
Bigger Specter Near.
Difficult points these. for the de-
mand for neutrality ties Frances
hand. Should, for example, the league
proceed against Russia, France could
not join Poland. Neutralizing Ger
many would cripple Frances little
tLttHtt
Given place in the council she is
in a measure safe from sanctions.
The London compact insures endless
negotiations, if Germany fails to pay,
before the Ruhr is again invaded. IT,
in addition, Germany joins the
league she is in a still better position
to ward off punitive expenditures.
Slowly then Germany would throw
off the fear of the French army. At
the same time she would be fighting
for her colonies, for her lost territory.
She would revive the question of Up
per Silesia and she would in ten years
be sure she got back the left bank Of
the Rhine and the Saar.
Further, she would fight for union
with Austria Even German Liberals
believe German speaking nations
should form one Federation. Ger
many would fight for nlebiscites in
all territory where German is the pre-
dominant language. Thus she is aim
ing not only at Vienna but parts of
CZechoslovakia. Poland, Lithuania ia
and Latvia- Instead of a specter of
the ever present sixty millions France
would have perhaps Il formida BILE