GERMANY TO-DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1919, Page 5

GERMANY TO-DAY.

OLD SPIRIT REVIVED. MONARCHIST DEMONSTRATIONS. A SERIOUS SITUATION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright Received Nov. 23, 5.55 p.m. Berlin, Nov. 19. By a Btrong display of force, Herr Noske (the Minister for War) prevented Berious disorders when Hindenburg and Ludendorff attended the War Responsibility Committee. A young lieutenant, acting as Chair-1 man of the German National Union, in a Violent cpeech to demonstrators, denounced, the Jewish Government, which was ruled by a traitor, Oscar Cohn. Ultimately the lieutenant was arrested, but his followers continued to shout, "Down with the Jewish Government!" "Long Live the Kaiser," to which the Spartacists replied with, "Down with the murderers of the masses," and "Long live » the world's -revolution." Considerable apprehension is felt over . the situation. Nearly three-quarters of a taHlion inen are under arms in Germany, ostensibly for internal policing duties.' The disintegration of Berjnondt's troops is leading to their return in considerable force in Berlin, where they are likely to join with the Monarchist supporters, adding to the fear of a fresh revolution. When Hindenburg and Ludendorff went before the committee the streets round the Reichstag swarmed with security police, which to the uninitiated eye are sot distinguishable from soldiers Machine guns are in readiness everywhere, and the guards within the buildings are trebled. Though it may seem astounding how Hindenburg retains his wonderful hold over thfe people's imagination, he is regarded as the saviour of the Fatherland, while Ludendorff is the minister who shoulders the responsibility, though the latter has a finer brain and looks comparatively commonplace beside Hindenburg. Both men tendered evidence with formal reservation, though they were not compelled to do so. Their statements were hackneyed. They said neither the German people nor the Kaiser Government, least of all the German Staff, wanted war. Their statements culminated with a charge that the treachery of the Independent Socialists alone robbed Germany of victory. Herr Gothein, Chairman of the Committee, reproved both for the violent language against the Independents. Ludendorff passionately denounced Count Bernstorff, who besmirched his honor in regard to' American mediation. Herr Gothein defended Count BernBtorff,. which infuriated Ludendorff still jnore.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CHARGE AGAINST LUDENDORFF. • BIS OPPOSITION TO PEACE. Received Nov. 23, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, Nov. 19. At the War Responsibility Enquiry, Count Bernstorff declared that Ludendorff said in May, 1917: "We don't want any peace at all." When this was mentioned before the committee, Ludendorff passionately cried: "I never said this. It is an insult to my sense of responsibility." Hindenburg also excitedly declared: "Ludendorff always worked for peace, but an honourable peace."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SKILFULLY FRAMED MOVEMENT. MAY PRECIPITATE CRISIS. London, Nov. 19. The Berlin correspondent of The Times stresses the importance of the Hindenburg demonstrations, which have seized ;• the popular imagination, particularly in '< jthe case of young soldiers, students and Ithe whole rising generation. The movement has been skilfully framed by the professional and scholastic castes, om% , eers and the military Monarchist Party There is plenty of combustible material ready to take fire at any time. The only question is whether the wirepullers consider the present moment ap propriate for action. In any case events may precipitate a crisis.—Times. London, Nov. 20 iCommenting on its Berlin correspond dent's messages The Times says that information attested by many independent observers Bhows there are now 700,000 German soldiers under arms. It is authoritatively known that Herr Noske is busily organising special military guards in all the cities ostensibly for protection against Spartacists, but totalling 300,000 formidable and thoroughly disciplined and equipped forces, all recruited from the non-commissioned ranks of the Im•perial Army. The present German spirit fe shown by the German Government's attempts to prevent Allied (officers wearing uniform while in Berlin, combined with hostile demonstrations and insults from German officers, who are openly boasting that tht day of reckoning is coming. Information recently received jn London suggests that the German military party is deliberately preparing for armed action against the Allies, Berf Noske consciously acting as a warming- pan for monarchial and militarist restoration. The majority of the officers belong to the Hohenzollern Association, which aims at the restoration of the monarchy. The organisation is flourishing unchecked by Herr Noske, who re- , cently took repressive measures against the Military Republican Association, which includes a small minority of officers. Referring to Mr. Lloyd George's retent reference in the House of Commons to the German menace in the Balkans, the Times says it understands that General yon der Golta's forces in the Baltic ate merely the nucleus of a much larger force secretly organised in the interior and awaiting the commands of the mili- . tary party.—Times Service.