HERR MAXIMILIAN HARDEN ON THE STATE OF EUROPE. [To the
Editor of the SrEerATOR.] Sra,—Slowly recovering from the attempt that was made to 'murder hilt' last 'spring, that great journalist and controversialist, Maximilian Harden, has just issued anew book, Germany, England and 'Prance, in which he presents the melancholy observations which war and peace have led him to.
I have met Herr Harden in his quiet -villa at Grunewald, where threats of murder are too often the response to his words of peaceful admonition, yet fail to shake his -delicate and wounded body or his firm heart and daring spirit. "The situation is a desperate one," said Heir Harden. "I had foreseen it months ago. It is not a question of morals or right. It is an economic. impossibility. Things cannot gp on as they are. The rising of prices above the world's level, the shortness of food, the general misery, have given a dejected mentality to the people, both in the occupied land and in the rest of the country. No reform can be attempted before a settlement of the Ruhr question is obtained. And there is only one possible solution to it. _The word ' capitulation ' seems to frighten the timid and shy statesmen. It is used against them by the extremists of both Left and Right, strangely working hand in hand. But, after all, even if hatred for France is the general motive, what better than to stop the devastating effect of her policy and refuse to let it go to the utmost point it would reach—namely, the entire breakdown and anarchy of the land ?
"I myself don't believe in the deliberate wickedness of the French. I have watched both sides and seen that the actual impasse is the natural result of a series of faults, some unconscious, some conscious and deliberate. Do you realize, for instance, that the 'passive resistance in the Ruhr has cost us already 10 milliard gold marks ? I have no special love for the Reparations Commission—but a few more milliards, and she probably would have been satisfied. It seems strange that the obvious moral principles of private life, which in- dividuals cannot overcome without material punishmeat and spiritual loss, have no validity as soon as national and inter- national feeling are in question. I think, though, there are not two morals, and I object to a patriotism which is only the sense of profit and benefit covering and excusing any shameful action made in the name of the welfare of this commercial organization Called Une Piatrie. But then, you-see, I am not an orthodox person—rather a 'Traitor '—and have been duly punished for it."
Speaking of the prospects of the present Government, Herr Harden seemed convinced that, unless new and unguess- able events took place, there were chances for Herr Strese- mann to remain, and for a settlement of the question to be obtained. "One hears, of course, of a possible Putsch by extremists of the Right and of the Left. It seems to me that things have gone too far even for that. When the solution comes, and if it comes soon enough, the only feeling will be one of relaxation. Patience, in the German character, is infinite. The people have lost all their great illusions. They have lost their faith in Socialistic reforms, together with their belief in Socialist leaders. The frightful conditions of everyday life have only left them energy enough to discuss the cost of living : it is the main theme one hears discussed everywhere, at parties, in trains or kitchens. The winter, of course, will be very hard ; but desperation is stronger still. It would be quite as easy and likely, I think, to have a restoration of the monarchy as a proletarian Dictator. But the lack of great men is felt everywhere."
It seems to me that the natural fairness and loftiness of Maximilian Harden's thoughts and mind are unable to grasp the unpleasant narrow point of view of the French Govermnent. He keeps an unshakable faith in that country of great past, great men, and great books.
"I can't imagine," he added, "that the French are hungry monsters. Their present Government certainly lacks easiness and grace. But I remain convinced that there is no strong objection among the French against concessions granted to the evident good will and good faith of Germany. The reinstatement of expelled officials, amnesty, etc., would not be difficult to come to agreement on."
European Reconstruction appears to Herr Harden as an entirely Continental enterprise. He remarks in his new book that English possessions in Europe only amount to the small spot of Gibraltar—and yet this Continent is the only one on which Great Britain claims a right of arbitration.
"There is no doubt an exaggeration, a misunderstanding," he said, "about the commonly expressed view that the reconstruction of Germany would solve at once the very
present difficulty of British trade. Unemployment is a problem of the day—it is a problem of hungry men and ruined homes. The reconstruction of Germany is a question of years and years._ As a matter of fact, the actual period of breakdown means opulence and facilities for British Trade in Germany compared to the drastic restrictions and pro- hibition of imports that real reconstruction at work will mean. Did England not foresee it ? To my mind the responsibility England shares in the present entanglement is greater than is generally thought. Any intervention is now useless. The conflict is a Franco-German one. The solution will be a Franco-German one. England has chosen to make it such. Action by her before the Ruhr occupation would have given an entirely different aspect to the problem. Had England first warned France of her actual opposition to a military occupation, France would probably have withdrawn and looked for some peaceful line of negotiations. Had England joined the French manoeuvre there would have been no German resistance, and the world would have been spared six months of wilful economic destruction and moral degrada- tion. However, whatever faults all governments may have committed, whatever extravagance public opinion may have been led into, there is a greater and more dangerous culprit who should be held responsible for both evils—the Press." I reminded Maximilian Harden that he has been a maestro and sometimes directed the orchestra to good performances.
" Alas ! What can a small violin, however sincere and honest, do against thirty military bands ? "—I am, Sir, &c.,
MARTME LE BAS.
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