GERMAN POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1925, Page 3

GERMAN POLICY

COD. RKPINGTON’S REMARKS. AUSTRALIAN ANI) N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION LONDON, Fchrmu-y 28. Colonel Ropingtoii writing in the “Daily Telegraph” says—.“ The contents of the inter-Allied report on German disarmament have become widely known in 'the Allied capitals. There fore there is no reason why their purport should not he stated. The first of tlie report deals with the relentless obstruction to which the Allied officers have been subjected by the German military authorities. It is a tribute to the Allied officers that they have discovered anything. Their chief discoveries have mainly been duo to surprise 'visits. My own conclusion is that, must possibly, only a small proportion of the German infractions of the Treaty have been revealed. The German General Staff, instead of being dissolved, has been reconstituted, and it now consists of 250 members.

Colonel Ropingtoii asks: “If five million troops in 1914 required a general staff of 141 members, to what total army strength do these 250 eorrc.sDond?”

He proceeds: “The. Rcichswehr is now a great cadre (framework) round which the German nation can form in the hour of danger. Wooden models of anti-tank guns arc being used for training purposes until the guns arrive. The cavalry are busy with, heavy machine guns. Armoured cars are

milch favoured. None of these figure in. the armaments allowed by tho Treaty. The Allied Commission gathered that it is the intention to release 25 per cent of the Reicliswehr annually in order to pass more men through the training. This would lie against the Treaty provisions. The Allied report draws particular attention to the finds of secret stores thus indicating that the manufacture of new war materials lias been resumed, without permission. Though the amounts generally do not exceed the annual allowance, much of the factory machinery that was ordered to be destroyed still exists. In fact, all the factories have shown a disinclination to reduce their plant to the authorised scale.” Summing up, Colonel Ropingtoii says: “The report does not warrant panic- measures against Germany, but it does warrant that she he brought to book and be compelled to end her duplicity and cease certain activities.”

FRANCE! CONCERNED. (Received this day at 9.45 a.m.)

LONDON, March 1

The Press says it is strange to contrast the days when Ehert was described as the ignorant saddler stop-gap president and ridiculed on account ol his uncouth appearance, but the period of his presidency revealed him as "one of Germany’s wisest and most respected sons.’’ It appears that Ehert did not work ns a saddler after twenty-three years hut took to journalism and politics. He revealed remarkable qualities of steadfast purpose, tact and statesmanship, retaining his domestic simplicity wit •which he set an example to the whole ji ation.

The “Observer’s” Berlin correspondent describes bis death while in office, leaving such an honoured memory, n corner stone in the consolidation of the German Republic. Another view, however, is that Ebert’s passing, releases the forces -which be successfully restrained. M{ireliism, which is far from a negligible quantity, ever waiting upon circumstance, is already l>cnt on seizing the opportunity. Moreover the repercussion in France is inevitable as is instanced bv a telegram from Paris within an hour of Ebert’s death saying the consideration of questions regarding security was now suspended pending the election of a new President.

GENERAL MOURNING. BERLIN February 28. There is general mourning for the 'death of 'President Ebert, tho exsaddler, whose dignity and tact durin„ his six years of the Presidency enhanced his prestige despite the recent attacks hy the reactionaries. Hw death confronts the country with a difficult problem. The president,at elections are due in April or May and the position is extraordmary o™ S l° ( failure of the founders ot the Const - tut ion to provide proper legal maehin:;v for 'the election of a successor, though they provided for Ebert s iesidencv till the eiuT ot next June. An interregnum is necessary till the stag passes a law providing foi the election of a President by plebiscite Reuter’s correspondent adds tin contrary to the above interpretation ot t he German constitution it is stated that, probably the election of a 1 ry, dent by plebiscite will T>c tt week under r.n article of the Con stitution which necessitates a| can - date securing more than half the jote. polled before he is elected. Tims a further election is necessary in the event of a candidate failing to jet nn absolute majority over all othe . .