The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1927 THE BERLIN PARADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1927 THE BERLIN PARADE.

The great parade of the “Steel Hcdmets’’ in tlie German capital is ail extremely disquieting and ominous event. Unfortunately, such a demonstration as this was not heeded to prove to the world at large that militarism us a system is deeply engrained in the German national character. But that is no reason why the President and Government of the German Republic should tolerate such a flagrant and unrestrained exhibiton of loyalty to the monarchy. and of enthusiasm for the old order of things that the war was .supposed to have swept into oblivion, 'lo do the “Steel Helmets” justice, says the Auckand Star, they are perfectly frank and outspoken about their intentions. They refuse to recognise the Peace of Versailles or the settlements based upon it, they repudiate the charge of “war-guilt” for Germany, and tlvev demand a restoration of conscription so that Germany may once again at her own chosen time plunge the world into the horrors of the abyss. The Inter-Allied Military Commission has now, unfortunately, been released from its duties, hut it is to he hoped that these portentous facts will not he entirely lost upon the Council of the League, and more especially upon those of its members who have shown themselves prepared to waive all precautions and risk the security of Europe unconditionally for the privilege of welcoming the Germans once more as colleagues and friends. Of course we may, if we please, set off against the “Steel Helmet” parade the assurance offered this week by One German Foreign Minister that such events as these “do not indicate a departure from the Government’s foreign policy” Herr Stresmann expects the world at large to he satisfied with Ins interpretations of such incidents as “a psychological reflex of the one-sided

disarmament policy.” 01 course, nobody expected the Germans to welcome the restrictions imposed upon them, and they have certainly done their best to evade the limitations proscribed by the Peace of Versailles. But having accepted its terms, they should have fulfilled their promises, and their Governments were in duty hound to assist the Inter-Allied .Military Commisbion in is difficult task. 3 hat they did not do so is simply a matter of history. The records of the Commission supply an astonishing amount of evidence about the persistent efforts made bv the Germans since the Peace t i organise large bodies of troops, disciplined. drilled and armed for war, under harmless titles and with the help of plausible pretexts and subterfuges to manufacture and store guns and munitions on a vast scale, ami even to restore and eipiip fortifications rliieli were alleged to have been dismantled and destroyed. The trouble over the concealed fortresses ami hidden armament on the Polish frontier is <>l very recent date. The German Government denied the existence of these tilings till the Commission was able to locate and examine them. Does Herr Strosoiuhiiii expect us to regard fortresses and guns and war ei|iiipni('ut in enormous quantities as a mere “psychological reflex” which demands no serious attention ?