The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1927. GERMAN DISARMAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1927. GERMAN DISARMAMENT.

Thkiiu have been many alarmist stories about the state of Germany and doubts thrown on its state oi disarmament, and last month a Beilin correspondent- of the '‘Manchester Guardian” which is not wont to be alarmist, rather strengthens the more sinister aspect ot I the recent Beiehswehr incidents. The Reichswehr is ,ot course, associated with Monarchist ideas; the new development goes to show that Russia is playing a part in the instigation of militarist movements in Germany. This Berlin correspondent considers the state of things so serious that he doubts whether Dr Gessler, Minister of War, can long; retain office. The Communists have lately been restrained in their activities against Dr Gessler, whom they blame for the Reichswehr scandal, but now they are a I mid of revelations which lie may make, hence their mbderutium. Among the relevant facts is that an aeroplane factory lias been built by Junkers’ Works in Russia for the purpose of manufacturing military aeroplanes lor German as well as Russian use, arid that arrangements for erecting chemical works in Russia to manufacture poison gas for both countries were also made by German and Russian military experts. These activities began at least five years ago, and have been going on over since. But the greatest fact is that to make the necessary arrangements officers of the Reichswehr have travelled to n.nd from Russia with false papers, vised by the Russian authorities. General von Seeckt, until recently Commander-in-Chief of the Reichswehr, was on the best of terms wftli the Russians, particularly with officers of high rank in the Soviet army. It seems that he was not unaware of the facts mentioned above. To what extent Dr Gessler knew of them is still uncertain. This indictment concludes:—The question is: To what extent can the German Government he held responsible? These things went on with the connivance of officers of the Reichswehr and some high officials .at least .of the Ministry of War. They are in keeping with the policy begun by the Germans at Rapnllo, but inconsistent with the policy of the present Foreign Minister, Dr Streseniann, who is anything but a Russophile. He and the German Government as a whole, with him. cannot l>e held responsible for things that have only now come to light. The German Government is genuinely concerned about- them. It is to lie hoped that the situation may clarify during the forthcoming meetings at Geneva, and the present indications are that a real attempt will bo made to solve it shortly. There is talk of holding the March -meeting of the League Council in Berlin, and at any rate under German presidency, and it could not be appropriate to discuss German armaments in such conditions.