MIDDLE-CLASS GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1916, Page 2

MIDDLE-CLASS GERMANY.

TON HINDENBURG'S APPEAB, ANXIETY IN THE TRENCHES. A significant, letter from Field-Marshal von Hindcnburg to tlic German Imperial Chancellor and other Ministers of State was published in the Deutsche Tageszeitung—the organ of the Agrarian Party—in its issue of January 23. The letter first appeared in the newspaper issued by the 10th Army. In republishing it (says the Morning Post) we would add this word of caution—that such a document could not be published in Germany without the Government's sanction; and therefore some official purpose, however obscure to English eyes, must be served by what appears to be a striking confession of economic weakness. The letter is as follows: Aretired County-court official, named Finhold, has written to me from Bensberg begging me to support the efforts he is making to alleviate the anxiety of the men in the field concerning their families, who are having such a hard struggle at home. Finhold's endeavors are in the interest mainly of the industrial middle class, the small shopkeepers, artisans and tradesmen, who in times of peace make a good income, but are now in danger of losing all their property and of being reduced after the war to indigent day laborers. Numerous requests for help and support received by the soldiers in the field from those depending on them prove to me that Herr Finhold has laid bare a real wound. It is one of the results of German economic development that the small business man in particular is compelled, almost with exception, to have recourse to loans. In view of the conditions of payment and of the markets produced by the war, the wife and family have the utmost difficulty in keeping the trade or business of the husband or father going. This difficulty and constant anxiety exert a paralysing effect 011 the man in the, trenches, and all the more as lie sees 110 prospect of help or improvement either now or after the conclusion of peace. It is of the utmost importance for the economic strength, and thus for the future of our country, that such cases as these definite relief should he provided. The empire must avert the danger of a large proportion of its able and economically-independent sons returning home from the war impoverished or falling at once into the hands of their creditors, which would mean their economic ruin, with their wives and children. The army leader who has (he welfare of his soldiers sincerely at heart cannot ignore such difficulties and needs. I consider it, therefore, to be my duty to draw attention to the dangers described above, and to the necessity for providing relief bv means of legislation. The sense of duty and the death-disdaining courage which inspire our soldiers demand an equitable return from those at home, and especially in this domain. The nerve strength of the individual man, which is the fundamental condition not only for holding out, but also for the decisive victory, cannot be maintained unless the man feels certain that those he has left at home have an assured existence, and that lie can hope to continue his trade or business successfully after the war. The great changes in the economic life of the nation, which are even now taking place, and which will be much more pronounced after the war, must have people who are economically sound and capable of development to deal with them.