The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1919. GERMANY'S PLIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1919. GERMANY'S PLIGHT.

The surrender of the German merchant ships has now been agreed upon. There was really no alternative, for Germany finds herself enveloped by inimical forces against which she is powerless to contend. According to Mr. Murdoch the German army, as a fighting force, has ceased to exist, but there is always the possibility of the Government saying to the Allies, "occupy the country.", Unquestionably the Spartacists and Bolsheviks are playing havoc, and it is quite conceivable that the Germans would welcome Allied occupation involving the suppression of the rebellious extremists, but the Allies are not likely to be so rash as to undertake a burden of this nature for the benefit of Germany. While the anarchists are doing their worst to create instability and disorder, the industrial capitalists are making ready to restart their world trade, hence, after sham arguments and hysterics, Germany has "gobbled any

terms" that were offered. It is extremely difficult to arrive at any reliable estimate of the position of the food problem, but it may safely be assumed that while food can be got in plenty by the rich, the mass of the people are acutely feeling the shortage. Unless this contention is correct it would not be possible to account for the acceptance of the demand for the surrender of the merchantmen before food was supplied by the Allies. It is significant that there was finally no demur, the delegates having learned by experience that Admiral Wemyss was adamant. That the surrender was a bitter pill for the German Government to swallow can readily be imagined, but they took their medicine, and gave up their ships. What this act means can only be realised when it is understood that on the ocean transport trade Germany built up her greatness, and that however eager and ready her industrial magnates may be to recapture their former world trade, the absence of ships will necessitate giving up all hope for some time of carrying out their desires. The release of these vessels for the | service of the Allies will in some measure compensate for the losses l caused by submarines, though there will still remain a balance to [he made up. Britain's pressing need is shipping and it will be some time before its acuteness is relieved. Germany's great need is food, for it is recognised that it is only by supplies of food that Bolshevism can be killed, hence the German Government would have acted far more wisely to have expedited instead of delaying compliance with the demand. The fact is, however, that the German authorities have been so long accustomed to dictate that they find the process of being dictated to extremely humiliating, and nothing but stern necessity has driven them to knuckle down to the role of suppliants. As soon as the merchantmen are handed over the food supplies will commence 1o flow into Germany regulai-ly until the next harvest, but they will have to be paid for in the manner specified in the conditions to which they have agreed. It is quite conceivable that the people are in a mood to weep with relief when actual peace comes, and food, cloth ir'g and decency arrive again. There are those who, like Herr Kuhlmann, rant of reviving German power, but it is not probable these firebrands will have any effect on the people. They have learnt by bitter experience that militarism does not pay. To-day the Gennan army is non-existent as a fighting force, and the Government has more than it can manage in dealing with the forces of disorder and anarchy. The Allies could not turn a deaf ear to the cry for food, but in responding to the appeal, they rightly made such terms as would best suit the interests of peace. Relieved from the great pressure of semi-starvation, Germany should approach her task of reconstruction with better heart. For the present it is sufficient that she has obeyed, the Allies' will, and though she was the creator of all the troubles with which she is now faced, it is in the interests of the world that good government should prevail. Apparently the Germans have learned at last that the Allies are as determined in matters of peace as they were in those of war, and when the indemnity and reparation bills have to be met Germany will know the worst and will have to bear the burden of the mad folly of her rulers in challenging civilisation.