The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1919. GERMAN BRAVADO.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1919. GERMAN BRAVADO.

Coincident with the meeting of the German National Assembly at '"Weimar there was a meeting of the Allied War Council at Paris, and both these gatherings may be productive of results that will either w. 'lch the war spirit of the Tcutoi.s or lead to a resumption of hostilities. It is as well to look at Germany's present attitude fairly and squarely in the face, and piece together the many clues that are to be discovered so as to arrive at a reasonable conclusion as to what may happen. Without in any way sounding a note of alarm there is evidently cause for anxiety over the course of action that the Germans may take in regard to the Allies' demands, both as to the armistice and peace terms. Above all we have to remember that the Germans can no more be trusted to-day than in the time of the autocracy. It is abundantly evident that German bravado is as blatant as ever. Although a republic is supposed to be in existence and Herr Bbert pompously parades German misery as due to the "distorted policy of the old regime and the arrogance of militarism" —a legacy from the old kings and princes who have gone for ever—he still keeps up the practices of that old I'eg'me in the matter of deceiving the people. He stated in the Assembly that Germany's enemies were exhausted, hence their efforts to obtain indemnities, and he ''warned the enemy not to try Germany beyond the limits of endurance." The president, of the German Assembly (Dr. David) said he expected the Assembly would "demand a peace based exactly on President Wilson's fourteen points," but he also asserted that Alsace-Lorraine still belonged to Germany, and that statement was applauded. A side light is thrown on the situation by a Berne cable which states that Herr Basse interprets von Hindenburg 's efforts to raise a voluntary army of 600,000 in Pomerania and Bast Prussia "as a preliminary to the icactionary coup which the Prussian military party is planning which is said to include a possible march on Berlin, or against the Allied army of occupation," the message adding that "thousands are enlisting owing to the inducements of wages and good food." It will probably be difficult to ascertain how it is that money and food are forthcoming for Hindenburg's volunteers, while the people generally are said to be in a sorry plight. If there is any truth in the rumor then it is quite evident that "the arrogance of militarism" is still very much alive and ready for any coup that has a possible chance of success. For some fi'me past there has been in evidence an increasing spirit of defiance on Germany 'spart, and apparently this spirit has grown as the forces of the Allies have been reduced by demobilisation. The outlook is so unsatisfactory that Marshal Foch has warned the Supreme War Council of the Allies of the possibility of a renewal of the German aggressive spirit, and it is stated that Germany is in a position to place three million men in the field in two months, whereas the Allies, under their present demobilisation, could only oppose less than two millions. Bearing all these circumstances in mind, it is not impossible to find some very strong links between the deliberate spirit of defiance wherewith Germany has refused to obey the urmistice conditions, and the preparations for taking the Allies by surprise with a well-planned coup. Again we would emphasise that Germany cannot be trusted. She absolutely refused to cease hostilities against Poland, to hand over merchant ships, railway roling stock and agricultural implements, or to permit the sending of food to Poland through Germany. She has only surrendered 1384 out of 2600 locomotives, and 44,971 out of 70.000 carriages and wag£ol)3 Why'/ Unquestionably because there is a probability of Hose, engines, carriages and wag s'ons being required to suddenly move troops against the Allies. Such treachery would afford the jlLms infinite satisfaction, but Marshal Foch is alive to the clanger, and if; i" probable that further demobilisation will have to be delayed until the new armistice terms are carried out. A London cable states that sterner terms are likely to be imposed. The time has arrived to demonstrate to puu .con-

quered foe that the Allies will stand no more defiance and bravado. The new terms should distinct'./ demand a very extensive surrender of arms and the limitation of German military forces to the absolute minimum necessary for internal security. The Germans must be brought to their senses and compelled to abandon the policy of delay and obstruction. It must be remembered that Germany has not demobilised, but is marking time while,the Allies' forces tre being dispersed, aod probably trusting to the success of insidious propaganda to prevent demobilisation should it be decided upon. All over Germany the com bative spirit is said to be manifesting itself, and German agents, with convenient aliases, are operating in every country with a view to stirring up strife. The menace exists, and unless it is firmly handled and suppressed there will be trouble ahead. The spirit of defiance calls for drastic and prompt action. i