The Daily News. Wednesday, MARCH 17, 1920. THE GERMAN COUP.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. Wednesday, MARCH 17, 1920. THE GERMAN COUP.

The expected has happened, and the Republican Government has—for the time being at least—come to an end. That the revolution was carefully planned by the Monarchists is beyond question, though it is quite possible the intention of the counter-revolution-ists may be to institute an interregnum in the shape of a military dictatorship, in order to pave the way for the restoration of the monarchy when the country has been made safe for the change. This would explain why the new Government has been stated to be non-monarchial. There have been indications for some, time past, of an undercurrent; ,of intrigue in Berlin with the object of fomenting trouble, but. the immediate aim was shrouded in mystery. The veil has now been lifted, and once more the Hun is disclosed in his real colors. The Paris journal Le Temps considers that the logical interminable discussions retarding the Treaty, the explosions of rage following the demands for (lie 1 war criminals, and the attacks upon inter-Allied Commissions wer. 1 all symptoms of a counter-revolu-tion, and that the Allies will henceforth know how to estimate the worth of the democratic regime which Germany pretended to establish as a. durable guarantee of peace. It is too early yet to speculate on the outcome of the coup d'etat as regards Germany as a whole. The two main factors that have to be reckoned with are the army and the extent to which the principles of democracy have influenced the people, including the armed forces—civil and military. Those responsible for the coup have evidently prepared their plans with characteristic completeness and secrecy, and it may confidently be expected they are ready with most plausible reasons for the step that has been taken, especially as regards its bearing on the Peace Treaty. The Allies have been gulled so often by German cunning that they can no longer visit being misled or lulled into a false security. The full significance of the initial proceedings of the Monarchist plotters cannot be ignored. The new Government did not sign the Treaty and may therefore claim it has 110 binding, effect. The militarists dominate the upheaval, and they propose to proclaim Field Marshal Hindenburg as Imperial President—manifestly a mere temporary measure designed to restore the power of the military caste and the restoration of the Monarchy, possibly after the British model. This view is strengthened by the appointment, of Dr. Ivapp, a fanatical monarchist, as Chancellor. Under such circumstances it would be criminal folly on the part of Britain and her Allies to underestimate the success of the coup, or to be sceptical over its possibilities. The proclamation issued by Dr. Kapp contains an open threat to the work' ers that strikes and sabotage will be ruthlessly suppressed. This implies that, the days of frightful-: ness are not yet over, and that the iron rule is to be re-established by force. Although the counter-re-volution was bloodless, the danger ji>£ civil war is by no means non-

existent. It is even forecasted tliat the Allies may be asked by the Republicans to advance on Berlin in the event of extreme urgency. That France feels the Hew development keenly is only natural, and there is some justification for the views of the French military critics, who charge the Supreme Council with the responsibility for the crisis, owing to its dilatoriness in enforcing the Treaty, and its failure to deprive the reactionaries of their excessive military strength. We have on several occasions stressed this danger, knowing full well that sooner or later the Militarists would be galvanised into action that would be inimical to permanent peace. They have bided their time to strike a blow for the Monarchy, and it fell with dramatic suddenness. Past experience of the methods of these unscrupulous tyrants leaves no room for doubt that they will use every means—fair and foul—to gain their ends. That they will make a pretence of being animated by worthy motives may he taken for granted, but their goal is the restoration of military autocracy—Deutschland Über Alles. They can no more bo trusted today than during the Imperial regime, so that the German menace again looms ahead. It will probably be seen before long, if the new Government comes through the ordeal of general recognition, that further excuses for delay in carrying out the Treaty obligations will be submitted to the Supreme Council, supported by reasons that are more ingenious than ingenuous. The issue depends on the people, and it is likely that strikes and disorders may be permitted, or even encouraged, in order that the shortage of food may be so accentuated as to bring about a call for any sort of Government that would put an end to strife and ensure food supplies. The militarists are quite alive to the potency of this lever, and possibly to this fact is due the threat against strikes and sabotage, which may be intended merely to inflame the workers and furnish a plausible excuse for revenge on the Republican element of the country. Meanwhile the Allies appear to be marking time and watching developments, but it is to lie hoped they are also preparing for serious contingencies. Marshal Foc.h, if given a free hand, may be trusted to take steps for immediate and effective action if occasion should require, and it would be as well for the German militarists to be impressed with the fact that the Allies are determined not to allow the fruits of their victory to be dissipated by the conquered.