Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-25
MUELLER FORESAW
PREPARATIONS END
Former German Chancellor
Predicted Modification of
Versailles Treaty.
BY JOHN F. SINCLAIR.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, March 25-"What else
could I doP The allies had placed an
iron banda cruel boycott-around
Germany, which was to remain until We
signed the Versailles treaty. Our chill
dren, long underfed, were starving. No
food had entered the country for
months. A loaded gun was at our head,
and the command was Sign here!
That is why I signed that treaty, which
included clause saying Germany was
solely responsible for beginning the
Great War"
This was Herman Mueller's reply
back in the Summer of 1921 to my ques-
ton as to why he, as the representative
of the new German Republic, had
signed the Versailles treaty when he
knew there we're so many objections
to it.
Three of us-Count Harry Kessler
was the third-were dining that eve
ming in an obscure little restaurant in
Berlin. DIR. Mueller had been q leader
in the 1918 revolution and later Ger
man chancellor.
But now, out of power, he was tell
ing us of the fantastic reparation to-
tails (tIen figured at 500 900, 900, 00O,
which few men can put down on paper
correctly and none can comprehend"
This German leader possessed typi-
cal German face-smooth, round, fortd,
pleasant and inclined to be fiabby. He
liked a good meal and interesting COM
panions. He had inquiring, searching
eyes behind horn-rimmed, thick glasses.
He spoke English WE'LL. although he was
far from possessing the delightful En-
glish diction of Count Kessler, an OK
ford graduate.
'I venture one prophesy with regard
to Germany's future" DR.. Mueller con-
tinued. 1.-THE Versailles treaty will be
modified within 20 years. 1t viii be
done when all of the records come to
light and prove, as they surely must,
that Germany was not solely RESPONSE
BILE for the war. And when this hap
pens, then what viii become of repa-
rations? They, too, will be thing OF
the past. Germany will not pay repa-
rations beyond that point. Put this
prophesy in your record book.
Who can say that the prophecy OF
this former German chancellor, who
died Sunday, VII not be fulfilled?
Thomas Eelief Plan.
Norman Thomas, New York Socialist
leader, is one radical who always gets
courteous hearing wherever he speaks.
Often he addresses Chambers OF COM
merce and conservative luncheon clubs,
not only in New York, but elsewhere.
He is listened to with attention, for
this well educated former clergyman
has a reputation Of being careful in
statements, with no special ak to grind.
This week he led a delegation of
ProgressiVes to washington to urge an
extra session Of Congress for the relief
Of the idle throughout the United States.
I'VE demand two things Of Congress"
said Mr.. ThomaS-"an immediate ap-
preparation Of $500, 600, 900 for relief, on
the principle of matching dollar for dol
lar Of local funds, and bond issue Of
$4,000, 600, 900 for public works, plans
for which must be rushed.
THE Government, which raised $751;
000, 900 600 in loans for an unnecessary
war against Germany, can raise $780,
100000 for immediate relief, and
5000 900, 600 for public works"
This statement of Mr.. Thomas and
his committee gives business men q very
good indication of how strongly the rep
resentatives Of labor feel about the pres
ent business depression.