GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1923, Page 3

GERMAN ITEMS

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AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z- CABLE ASSOCIATION, j A COMPLETE Sr^KlHK'" EXILIN'. S< (>t. 27. It appear.-; that Urn Erbort signed tlie decree proclaiming a state of emer--s|geucy throughout Germany immediately f after a meeting of the Imperial Government which was convoked at midnight in consequence of the news of the appointment of the Bavarian diitator and which completely surprised the Government as the aims of his organisation were, hitherto, regarded as practically tindistingnishable from those of Herr Hitler’s. According to a telegram from Mun---igeh, Von Kahr’s first action was to profiibil fourteen mass meetings ot the Nationalists and Socialists to-night, nn>loss Hitler agreed that there would he no disorder. MU. BALDWIN’S STATEMENT. THE ENTENTE ONLY HOPE. r[Rn ut nits T ei, no it ams . ] LONDON, Sept. 27. Air. Baldwin, continuing, said that 1 peace above all was his object. In thnf spirit he was endeavouring to deal with the situation in Europe which must he debated early at the meeting of the Itnperial Conference. lie, at present, eotlld only say that when he assumed office there was an atmosphere of restraint, almost distrust, between France and Britain, it had been his good fortune, in his interview with M. Poincare to help to restore that atmosphere of confidence.

“ No more no less,” lie said, ‘"but I think there is now, both in Paris and in London, recognition of the importance of tile Entente in this way that, without it, a Euro]»oan settlement would lie far more difficult. Indeed the L events of the last two or three weeks w have pointd that out to those who have eyes to see. The best hope of a settlcincut lies in the intimate relationship of France with Britain.” CIVIL WAR PRACTICALLY STARTED. BERLIN, Sep. 27. A Gazette has In-en issued rescinding all passive resistance ordinances. LONDON, Sen. 28. The “Pull Mall Gazette’s” diplomatic correspondent slates :—“ For nil practical purposes, civil war has been declared in Germany, and any moment may bring news of a collision between armed forces. When the Bavarian Monarchists appointed Yon Knlir as W Dictator, President Ebert appointed a countcr-Dictator in Gesslor, who is a Democrat, and will not test the reliability of the German Army.” The correspondent says:—“ AVc shall soon know whether the Army is going to side with tlie Democrats or with the officers of the old army, who are about to make war on the Republic.” “ Both sides are convinced that they mu si now light, not merely for ideals, but for their heads. Bavaria is able to mobilise rapidly three hundred thousand anti-Republican forces, who will ho superior in numbers, arms, and leadership. The Bavarians also have the -y great industrialists and land owners on their side, so the outlook is black for the Republic. It is possible the Bavarians will endeavour to destroy the Kbcrt (bivernmeii t by blockading t lie

towns, which, are the strongholds of

democracy, and where Die reserves of I and food are very small. Apparently, we stand close to the reintroduction of monarchy in Germany.”

WHAT IS THE NEW PACT?

LONDON, September 27. A political observer, whose comments in the "‘Daily Telegraph’* on the recent Baldwin-poincare interview are regarded as showing remarkable insjilc knowledge, now writes in the “Daily Mr Baldwin, in a lew plain sentences, to tell the country wlmt he did at Paris, and what he intends to do. iur Baldwin went to Paris,. not casually, but with a carefully premeditated plan, of which Lord C’urxoo was fully cognisant. Mr Baldwin has achieved a great tiling and lie will stick to his guns. He has the whole Cabinet behind him in a firm intention not v to allow recrimination or petty consideration to stand in the way of an agreement with France, which is absolutely necessary if Europe is to be saved from a long term m misery. The situation in this emergency, is causing the Government great anxiety. It could scarcely be otherwise with one of Europe’s greatest states on the verge of political, economic, and moral bankruptcy. The internal friction in Germany, even the civil war. is regarded as a domestic question, but wluit is going oil in Germany looks lik<. a concerted attack- upon the Republic, and its democratic institutions. The Bavarian Junkers are opposed to the settlement with France, because it is the work of the Socialists, and it would help to maintain the Republican regime. Britain’s traditional respect and sympathy for democratic principles will not allow us to remain uninterested in the German struggle. Wo will not make a mistake, however, ascribing what is 'going on to French intrigues. Britain would welcome proof, it producible, that the Bavarian Nationalists and the Ruhr Communists are not working to supply Chancellor Strescmann with a new argument to induce France to make considerable concessions. Lot us hope this is untrue! If it were true, then Germany s last hour would have struck and not a hand in this country would bo raised to defend her from further French and Belgian repression measures. Germany s only hope lies in a sincere, unconditional and immediate retreat irom the resistance. If the passive resistance is to be replaced by some other form of resistance, or by diplomatic pmrnstination, we will he obliged to admit that the Germans have learned nothing and do not w-nut to learn anything.”