The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY. NOV 29th. 1923.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY. NOV 29th. 1923.

THE CRISIS IV GERMANY. For her sins, Get many continues to bleed seriously within. The political crisis she is laboring under suggests that there is no royal road to recuperation. The nation which sinned grievously must do severe penance, and the end is not yet. The defeat of Dr. Streasmann at the precent juncture

seems to complicate matters more seriously than ever, putting the end of the c risis Du tiler off than ever. Dr. Albert who has het-n asked to Prm a new Government was sent, out of America at tht) time of the war because he was a spy, engaged in objectionable work to detent the Allies. Pic is not a persona gratia in America, nor will In- he elsewhere, and it is difficult to see how one who will lie objectionable to European courts can secure the interest and confidence of the Powers. His mission is .suggested to organise on business lines. Bui there have been previous Chancellors iu pjwer with a .similar bent, and they failed to win sueivss. There are sharp political divisions among lire German people a- with all other nations, aiid now thai the war is over, and the 1 eoplo are being enlightened as to the effects of the war, and the manner in which they were misled, those in authority are finding it more and more difficult to submit to those who misruled them .-o grievously over the |eiiud of the war. The national hatred between Germane and France

is another factor preventing a settling down in the former country. France by

Occupying German territory has iullained the native mind to a degree in which is has become .sulky. But Frame rather enjoys the situation, we should say, for it. seems to he the belief in France that national safety from an aggressive Germany can he secured only by holding the latter hostage as it were. Actually France rejoices that Germany cannot or will not pay up. for there is the excuse and the reason to push an armed force into Germany, and so hold the enemy completely re

hay Whatever truth there is in that view, the fact remains that il was not

till the defeat of the German Government was in sight that a settlement ol a kind between the Allied powers was on the tat is. The change of government means the breakdown of all the negotiations, financial and peacelul. Be line the matter can he taken tip again at a useful point, the new Government will have to review the details. It is certain therefore that the crisis in Germany will continue, and this depreciates the outlook for the Allies recovering ample reparation payments. The question arises, also, will Germany weather much longer this continual internal strain. The political break up of the country is not an impossibility. That contingency would please France for there would he a less united Germany, but it i-- clear neither America or Britain are wishful for tin' overthrow of the Gorman federation. The dismemberment of Germany would put off more indetinitely still the question of a reparation settlement. ~i\ itlrin Germany the internal sepa; at inn of Die component parts so m- i.bo greater probability. Tin-' present political crisis has brought the ultimate decision much r lo.ser. By tiro failure of Dr. St.rrs.sinann the clock of progress has been put hack. If l)r. Albert is as. tinwel(ome as American opinion indicates, the clock may he stopped actually, and a new order will have to ho evolved. The possibility of unpleasant dcvolopm uts is not an agreeable outlook after all the patience Britain has shown to the French action in Germany, .■'.dually. it would appear, the passive attitude taken up h;> Britain, has assisted to the present crisis, and helped to reach a culmination very much to the wish of France, but inimical to British general interests.