The Dominion MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1921. POSSIBILITIES OF TROUBLE IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 25, 24 October 1921, Page 4

The Dominion MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1921. POSSIBILITIES OF TROUBLE IN GERMANY

The fall of the Wirth Government in Germany implies at least a check to the party of peaceful progress in that country, and a corresponding cheek to European reconstruction. Many complex issues arc, of course, raised in current German politics, but the essential dividing line is between “the incorrigibles of Prussianism” who are conspiring to restore the Kaiser or place his son upon the throne, and those who support the policy of the Government now defeated —a policy of maintaining the Republic and making some attempt at least to fulfil Germany’s reparation and other obligations under tho Treaty of Versailles. Besides being opposed by tho Communists and the more extreme Socialists, the Wirth Government was at odds with the large and powerful Majority Socialist Party over taxation and other questions. I rom these parties, however, the Government had little to fear. Indeed it is quite possible that if that astute opportunist, Erzberger, had not been laid low by an assassin’s bullet a couple of months ago, some 'sort of composition between tho Centre and other parties supporting tho Wirth Government might by this time have been arranged or ip the air. The active and determined opponents of the Government were the members of the Monarchist faction, still a very numerous and powerful minority in Germany, who are plotting to overthrow, the Republic and re-establish Ka;scrism. The assassination of Erzbf.rgEf. was interpreted, universally as a Stroke against the Government to which he stood in the relation of a power behind the throne. In his day, Erzberger put his abilities unreservedly at the disposal of the militarists who led Germany to destruction, but it has been said of him that in tho final phase of his career he, more than anyone else, represented the completeness of the conversion of sane Germany from Kaiscrism to Republicanism. His early return to political leadership was anticipated, and his removal very seriously weakened tho Wirth Government as a political combination committed to a policy "of genuine compliance with' all Allied demands up to the extreme limit of practicability; of peace ‘-find mutual forbearance at home; and of the diversion of all German hopes and thoughts from the old wrecked dreams of military primacy to a long course of economic reconstruction and rehabilitation in the company of nations.” It is a serious aspect nf the silnation that in their ruthless and determined opposition to this policy, tho Monarchists are supported by the magnates who control Gorman finance and industry. This fact is emphasised by M. Briand in a speech reported to-day. The Wirth Government, he said, was "up against the industrial magnates who were organising bankruptcy in the hope of preventing Germany from'executing the financial clauses of the Treaty.” Full point is given to the French Prime Minister’s denunciation by the current depreciation of the mark, which is now exchanging at 640 to the pound sterling, and is therefore, rated at less than’ one-thirtieth of its normal value. In the known state of Gcrmah industry and production such a degradation of the national currency can only be attributed to set design. The fall in the mark obviously is the outcome of a policy in harmony with the catch-cry of “No reparations!” raised by the. militarists, who arc striving to reestablish their former hold over Germany. Tho Wirth 1 Government has been brought down by a formidable combination of Junkers and industrial magnates. As 'a Government relying primarily for support upon the Catholic Centre Party, its difficulties, of course, were not a little .heightened by the fact that Bavaria, the headquarters of German Catholicism, is for the time being a Monarchist stronghold. For the moment, at least, reaction has triumphed in Germany, and the people of Allied nations as well as those sections in Germany which support tho Republic have every reason to regret the course events have taken. The fall of the Wirth Government, of course, does not necessarily mean that the German reactionaries have achieved a substantial and enduring triumph. Competent observers are of opinion that the real choice in Germany is between a process of political adjustment, in the course of which the power of the reactionaries would gradually wane, or a sharp and decisive struggle for supremacy in civil war. In a speech he. delivered shortly after the date of Erzberger’s murder, Dii. Wirth declared that the real instigators of dissension between Bavaria and the German Federal Government were “the reactionary runaways who hoped to lead reaction back in Germany from the south.” The German people, ho added, had too much to lose to be able to permit themselves the luxury of an internal split and a civil war. Tho danger of civil war is

perhaps more acute now than it was when these words were spoken. On the other hand the resignation of the Government may possibly be intended to clear the way for a better and more comprehensive organisation of the moderate political forces in Germany. With the danger. in plain sight that the Monarchist reactionaries may attempt to establish themselves in power by force of arms, the Majority Socialists have an obvious incentive to make common cause with the parties which supported the late Government. There is little doubt that if the moderate parties are effectively led and/rate issues in their real order of importance, the reactionaries will be checkmated. Whether these conditions will be satisfied is, however, at the moment a somewhat open question.