ALLIES DEFIED.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1921, Page 5

ALLIES DEFIED.

NEW GERMAN ARMY. LARGE FORCE READY. I AMAZING REVELATIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, Nov. 19. The Times, in an article on the German Army plot, asserts that Germany is hoodwinking the Allies. Though the German Army has been reduced to 100,000 it is recruited, garrisoned and officered as if it were intended to provide cadets for a much larger force, and demands are made for ammunition, guns, clothing and material which would suffice for an army of between 300,000 and 800.000. For example, the guns demanded would be sufficient for half a million. The position is worse as regards fortress guns, because they are asking for twenty times as many as required, and also for .a more mobile type which could be .placed in the field. The Germans argue that these demands are openly made, but are also contending that the Allies’ Control Commission ought now to be withdrawn. It is significant that the Germans are unabashed when the demands are refused and reiterate them or attempt to achieve the same ends by subterfuge. As regards arsenals the Germans attempted to obtain permission to produce armaments exceeding the proper quota by threefold, and though the Contro’ Commission refused this. Germany is achieving the same result by converting two of the largest arsenals allegedly into private firms, but the Government holds all the shares, and in these are preserved the rifle-making and ammunition plants intact on the pretext of making sporting firearms. The actual personnel is ostensibly 100,000. but 350.000 first line troops can be mobilised at a moment’s notice, as complete organisation exists. This is possible through the so-called demobilisation office, which preserves all the papers, enabling it to he converted instantly into a mobilising department. The officers’ the bone and sinew of the old army, remains practically intact.