Evening Star Newspaper, February 17, 1924, Page 16

SIEGE LIFTING LAID T0 FEAR IN GERMANY Harden Says All Factions Not Openly Inimical to Republic See Changes. SOCIALISTS DISAPPOINT ‘Workmen, Promised Better Times, Find Position Worse. BY M MILIAN HARDEN. o to The ‘Star. bruary 16.—The state which placed all executive power in the hands of a military com- mander is to be lifted after four months' duration. The stage setting gives German burghers no reason to doubt that they owe this demllitariza- tion of the government solely to the free initiative of the army chlef and that they must therefore believe that he is more concerned about the su- premacy of civil authorities than are the gentlemen who rule under the purtnership name of democracy and soclalist. The real reason, however, is that 811 factions that are not openly in- imical to the republic fear worse changes at the reichstag,election by continuance of the military regime. may sometime have been in nd a party which ascribed ss to its own errors and rrors of others, but in es grant us no such , industrial oring elements, ous brought the soclal- at as they never Not only in these fort- ¢ir power, but also in the mentary history of near- the explanation can Socialists Disappoint. The soclalists, who as critics of the eapitalistic and imperialistic nomic systems have done valuable work, have been a disappointment everywhere as rulers. Lenin liber- ated himself smilingly from every mocratic principle. MM. Millerand and Mussolini have not been socfalists for years and men of the English la- Vor government can be regarded .as 2uch only in a closely restricted sense and not at all in continental party language. In Germany, the fruits of socialist or semi-socialist government taste especially bitter to soclalists, still officially “international and revolutionar: They were not able to prevent war, end 1t quickly or make it more hu- man, and they have shown themselves often just as blindly natioalistic and Just as greedy for office and emolu- | ments as any one of the bourgeoise parties which they have been abusing for years, For years the workingman, whose taxes are collected at the source, has had to pay relatively more than the capitalist. Wages now are lament- 2bly bad, there is less political free- gom than in the days of the kaiser, when so many _ prohibitions, ord nances and anomalies were .not pos- sible, and the work day has been lengthened. ' The rallway employes ad the choice of losing thelr jobs mmediately or accepting a twelve- bour day. Workingman Sufferer. The workingman sees many leaders and functionaries of his party in comfortable state and municipal of- fices, but he himself is in worse need than before. Isn't it understandable that he turns away from bosses who promised him the Holy Land, but led iro Into the desert of miseries. Party chiefs, however, who will not gamit thelr mistakes, declare that ong duration of the military regime 15 eolely responsible for the fact that workingmen are embittered and fre- quently go over to extremist nation- alistic groups and communists. These groups entice workingmen by swear- ng their promises will not prove to be_as deceitful as those of others. Many votes will come to them also from land owners, peasants and rural laborers. German agriculture, which in_a blockaded reich and a land of infla- tion was better off than ever, is to- day iIn a dangerous situation. the war the area of grain land and | numbers of cattle in the great trans- oceanlc agrarlan states have in- creased vastly; in _Europe agrarian production has sunk greatly in the sume period—in Germany, one-fifth; in Russlan, at least one-third. Consumption Lessened. Universal Impoverishment of Euro- yeans ' has reduced consumption greatly. Surplus production in the United States, Canada, Australia an the Argentine, exercises pressure on ' Juropean markets, In order not to b underbid the German farmer must | effer his products far below the ante- ' war price, but must generally pay es far above the world-market yrices for everything he needs from industry and business, He must give 250 pounds of oats for a hundred- \velght of ammoniam sulphats and 410 bounds of ryc for a pair of coarse oots. Whether reintroduction of agra rian customs, which the farmers are demanding, would be possible or ben- tal is most doubtful. What is cortain, however, is that the mon- archists will have more causs for re- joleing than the republicans if the Fovernment, which thus far has prc- duced nothing but prohibitions, doss (Copyright, 1924.) TAX FIGHT TELLS ON FRENCH PREMIER Poincare Shows Wear and Tear of Parliament and Great Nervousness. , February 16.—Premier Poin- care is showing the wear and tear of Iis struggle in parliament to put through the extra taxation program. He has aged greatly in the last few weeks and shows great nervousness. Physicians among the deputies con- sequently are watching him closely, as tlie opposition is credited with the in- tention of wearing out the premier and Lorcing him to abandon the fight. 3 When he interrupted the session s fow days ago and asked for a rest, a5 his voice had failed, Dr. Pinard, noted epecialist, went to the premien and re- marked: “Mr. President a little rum in milk, taken frequently, would do you & lot of good. i i M. Poincare, always lad to show his ood English vocabulary, replied: ' “That's what Lord Curzon would call & | milk punch. : i Gratlen Candace, deputy from the rum-producing West Indies, who was | standing nearby, spoke up: “Yes, and I can assure you it is good, but let me tell you it would gain & lot by cutting out the milk.” ENVOY COMING BACK. $athieu Sails for U. S.—Boxer on Same Ship. VALPARAISO, Chile, February 16. »—Senor Beltran Mathieu, Chilean am- bassador to the United States, de- d for his post today on the steamship Aconcagua. Luls Vicentini, the lightweight champion boxer of Chile, was also passenger on the same -ship bouno for America, B |Great Britain Interested in Americn Oil Lease Scandal, Gardiner Declares Parts Played by La Follette and Walsh'Admired. President’s Course to Cleanse Party Being Closely Watched in London. BY A. G. GARDINER. By Cable to The Star. LONDON, Februaty ‘16.—The ex- traordinary instability of the present political situation in England has been startlingly demonstrated this week. The new labor- government met parliament for the first time on Tuesday, and on Wednesday H. H. Asquith launchedsan ultimatum which seemed to threateh the immediate overthrow of Prime Min- ister Macdonald by the withdrawal of liberal support. The incident did not arise on a major fssue of policy. The general impression made by Mr. Mac- donald’s opening statement regarding Russia, the attitude toward France, housing and the general home policy was eminently favorable. The storm cone was hoisted over a relatively minor matter. Poplar, a poor riverside borough of London, has been a center of extremist agitation since the war. It has been terribly afflicted by unemployment, and the local lubor party, in control ‘of public relief, has defied the regulation and administered unemployment benefit on ‘a lavish sci until & large proportion of the po tion was living entirely on rates main levied on the dock companies. The pre- vious government vainly struggled with the authorities, who had surcharged, and:many of whose members-had been imprisoned. Surcharge Remitted. One of the first acts of the gove ment had been to remit and give the authorities in administering relief. one of the strictest disci S public affairs, was outraged by the ac tion, which constitutes an invitation to all public administrative bodies to defy the law. Hence the ultimatum and the sudden tempest which threatens the full of the labor government almost before it is settled in office. Fierce indignation is expressed in labor clrcles at the blow from the party whose co-operation put labor in power. It is suggested that Mr. Asquith seized the opening with the deliberate purpose of dlsmissing the government. This is a wholly mistaken view. The writer is convinced that Mr. Asquith does not desire office in the circumstances, which would make him deperdent, like Mr. Macdonald, on the support of other parties. But s n he surcharge | great stickler for constitutional forms, which are his Ark of the Covenant. Mr. Asquith will insist on withdrawal the dffending declsion, but he has d the government an easy way of escape by suggesting that the govern- lief administration of London, as a means of removing the peculiar burdens of poor localitles like Poplar. . Predicts Compromise. | Wi Premier Macdonald accept a compromise? The writer has no doubt that a compromise will be arranged and that the storm will pass. But the fnci- dent shows on what frall tenure Mr. Macdonald holds office, and few ob- servers imagine that the liberals will long_consent to retain him in power, ing war which labo= is waging in the constituencies against the liberal he public awai h France, Pre attitude been one s. coupled with confl- sight. The writer has reas that the premier has a definite scheme, sut no_public declaration of policy will be made before the reports of the ex- pert committecs of the reparations com- mission have been presented. France is on the horns of the old dilemma. She wants mon litical and_economic grip on Germany What are the cash terms on which she will consent to su ambitions the Rhinel deration on which can be e Rhur and on ndal Intcrests. Great interest continues to prevail here regarding the American ol scan- ). h publ! fe has many de- fects, but public plunder of this magni- tude and audacity Is unknown, there is much discussion as to the gov- ernmental conditions which make such turpitude practicable. 7 The reactions of the affalr upon the presidential outlook are being watched with deep curlosity. It is assumed that ) Coolidg measures to cleanse his parf from the disrepute consequent The part played by Senator: sh_in_unearthing mired here. ment reform the whole rating and re-j ender her_political | | especially In view of the uncompromis- | [\ v and wants to retain a po- ! % n the | ma ;i BUDGET OF FRANCE DECLARED BALANCED Statesman Holds Poincare Policy Leads to Misjudgment of Nation. ) SEES NO BASIS OF ALARM Doubts if Premier’s Policy Would Help Status of, E‘nu. BY ANDRE TARDIEU. By Rudio to The Star. PARIS, February 16.—It is credit that is the cause of the debate now going on in the French chamber over the Poincare government's tax pro- posals. These proposals, by their {; provised character, as well as be- cause of their numerous imperfec- tions, risk giving valuable ald to those who are seeking to impair French credit. Americans should al- themselves to be impressed neither by this campaign nor by the mistake which France now is mak- ing, and which serves to bolster up the campaign. To_ begin with, the writer wishes dissipate the false impre which the declarations of the min- istry unfortunately strengthens. The chamber is asked to vote additional to balance the budget. But the budget is already completely The new taxes really are but for ynt ed to the ry by Germany for ad- ch this country made for to 3 with _public finanoe knows sential difference budget and an account, but .rminology employed by 1 ministers confuses people ak them thin rance's bud- t is in deficit, ich is the simple ite of the truth. T French 3 iced, and ev the in- onstruction loans overed by tux- Anybody is a almost tion. What s the exact purport of the government’'s proposition? Tt is simply to include in the ordinary budget all ¢ ing_to the account of Because cannot billion nstruc- Simply because the this will cause in the exchange tion work? government thinks franc to rise let. At the base of this discussion thera mental misunderstanding. opinion wrongly supp: jument's resistance to the 1s elgn parl DINING ROOM OUTFIT Of genuine walnut veneer; 60-inch buffet; oblong table; (As Hlustrated) $98.00. 4 genuine leather-seat chairs, China and server can be had to match. $5.00 Cash; $1.50 Weekly. OVERSTUFFED LIVING ROOM SUITE 3 pieces upholstered in tapestry or beautiiul velour. Four different models to choose from at this ridicu- lously low price of $98.00 $5.00 Cash; $1.50 Weekly. BEDROOM OUTFIT Of genuine walnut veneer; full size bow-end bed, large dresser and extra large semi-vanity, with guar- anteed mirrors. shown . 3-PC. DAVENPORT-BED SUITE ' As illustrated. Mahogany-finish frame, sev- eral styles upholstered with good quality velour, consist- ing of davenport-bed, chair and rocker . $98.00 $5.00 Cash; $1.50 Weekly. $98.00 KITCHEN OUTFIT As shown. Large 4-burner gas stove, with elevated oven and broiler; 50-1b. capacity guaran- teed refrigerator; porcelain-top table; up-to-date sanitary kitcRen white enamel chair and Con- goleum rug; all for.......... cabinet; $98.00 $5.00 Cash; $1.50 Weekly. . 3-PC. CANE PANEL LIVING ROOM SUITE This is a Beautiful mahogany suite, with full cane panel backs and:loose- cushion seats. Several styles. Two pillows included at this price of only..ceeseienninnns $98.00 $5.00-Cash; $1.50 Weekly. REDUCTIONS Every_ article in our entire stock of high- grade furniture has been reduoed in’ piice during our great February Sale. This is & most” oppor- tune time for you to . buy. Come in! (Between H and Eye) ‘We prepay all frelght cliarges for wotoftswn shiphents, end make truck - deliverise. within Tadius of 80 miles of Washington. No fuss— 2o bother—dave us de- liver it for you! 829 7th St. N.W. . Oy . Bovernment proposals indicates ai unwillingness to vote sufficlent taxe: Whereas the reasons are quito dif- ferent, an ml{ be summed up In this Qquestion. 8 it certain by applyin the new taxes not to the Frenc budget, which does not need them, but to the account of Germany, the france will not fall instead of rise?” It is that question alone that a large fraction of parliament answers nega- tively. The first vote on these new taxes was 301 for and 212 agalnst, With sixty abstentions, which means that 272" deputies believe the pro- posals will not help the franc. This important minority believes that the franc's salvation depends upon such - FEBRUARY. 17, 1924—PART T. elgn exchange markets, tions of the flouting debt and credit and savings facilities. ‘That is the debate in a nutshell. But a reading of the foreign papers shows what a different interpreta- tion has been placed on it outside of France. Again we hear that France {s a country which will not pay her taxes. It is forgotten that in 1913 France d four billlons in taxes, and today is paying twenty-three bil- lions, and her minority deputies are reproached for unwillingness to. vote four or five additional billions, which would make the per capita of taxes about 700 francs, even though nobody can demonstrate that these new taxes things a8 a program of action on for-would have the slightest influence on S 2 A 2 A R A 2 2 e A e A R A A A 2 A 2 A 2 A 2 A 2 2R e consolida- exchange. ' Unfortunately, it Is unquestionable that the Poincare government's man- ner of stating the problem created this misundertanding, and that this misunderstanding plays into the hands of all who desire to weaken France's eredit. And the political con- sequences also may be grave. Govern- ment orators insist that France's claim, as stated In the treaty, re- maing Intact. But It is clear that Ger- many, with her gift for evasion, will take pleasure in showing that addi- tional fiscal effort was easier for France than for her, since France ac- complished it. And so the French claims will lose all practical justifi- ——————— Moreover, as ‘the Poincare govern- ment now espouses proposals which it combated for two years, France is placed in an Inconsistent position, which her adversaries will readily take advantage of. And furthermore, it is paradoxical that all this panic should follow a sudden Grop of five points, when a gradual drop of fort points “throughout 1922 and 192 d no ministerial apprehension ‘s credit Is not in danger, ile calm and methodical ro- forms “ure needed there is nothing to Justify the alarmist speeches and mad improvisations of the government, which, for two years, has done noth. ing to realize such reforms. cation. (Copyright, 1924.) L ANSBURGH & BROTHER 420-30 Seventh St. N.W. 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