Germany Q3/24
1 July 1924
Allied troops are on the move - out of portions of occupied Germany.
“Article 429 of Versailles states that five years after the coming into effect of the treaty, the Allies will evacuate portions of western Germany, including Cologne, if Germany has complied with its obligations”, noted Chancellor Cuno. “We argued that we had indeed done so, and the Allies agreed.”
The actual five year mark was on 28 June, but the orders to evacuate from the occupied areas were only issued yesterday.
Other areas of western Germany, including Mainz, could still be under occupation for another decade - though the Allies can depart sooner if it is determined that Germany has complied with all articles in the treaty.
7 July 1924
Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann says that his travels to the United States were fruitful.
“The Americans were very receptive to Germany’s needs”, Herr Stresemann commented in Berlin. “They had, in fact, formulated a plan by which to relieve some of the pressures of reparations through loans. Happily, Herr Dawes’ proposal was rendered unnecessary by the improved fiscal situation the nation has seen over the past several months.”
The booming American economy may also reap benefits for Germany, says Herr Stresemann. “There are many wealthy investors in the United States looking for opportunities overseas. Germany is a nation they feel offers a great deal of potential as we rebuild our economy, and I was informed by four different individuals that they were close to signing agreements with industrialists here at home.”
24 July 1924
In a surprising development, the High Court has agreed to hear a case alleging that President Friedrich Ebert committed high treason in 1918. Few details are being made public, but a member of the DNVP, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Ebert supported a strike by munitions workers in March 1918 - precisely when the Spring Push began. If the army had the additional munitions it needed - those which the workers failed to supply - there is no doubt the army would have overcome the enemy and produced a clear and decisive victory in the west. By supporting that illegal action, Ebert cost Germany victory.”
President Ebert called the charge, “Gutter politics of the worst sort, intended only to sabotage the progress of the nation.” He added that he would contest the charges vigorously.
The case is expect to get underway in late October.
8 August 1924
In a fiery tirade in the Reichstag yesterday, General Erich Ludendorff condemned the recent mutual defense agreement between Russia and Latvia.
“The Great Menace of the East creeps ever closer to the Fatherland! Not having learned the folly of challenging us in war, they seek any advantage they can find, enslaving the weak-kneed little nations of the Baltic so that they can move their forces closer to the Fatherland for a sneak attack!”, General Ludendorff declared as he launched a thirty minute long verbal offensive.
He later added, “Now only tiny Lithuania and feeble Poland stand between Germany and the Menace! How long until they, too, are overwhelmed by the thuggish tactics of the Bear? Not long! I call upon Chancellor Cuno to do his duty to the Fatherland by denouncing this vile treaty!”
A motion to annex Lithuania was introduced into the house shortly afterward by Herr Johannes Baumer of the Fatherland Party. The motion was soundly defeated by a margin of almost two to one.
Chancellor Cuno commented, “We are indeed concerned by the developments in Latvia, but do not feel that Germany is directly threatened by such an event. Nonetheless, Russia should recognize that this development has raised considerable vitriol and antagonism that makes it more difficult for this government to pursue normalized relations with our eastern neighbours.”
18 September 1924
Chancellor Cuno cautioned the world about the hazards of military treaties, not long after the recent announcement by several Asian nations of a military alliance in that region. “Alliances are the reason countries get involved in matters of no importance to them. Petty issues become diplomatic rifts, and diplomatic rifts become cause for war. How terrible would it have been if the conflict between India and Denmark had drawn Iberia, Italy, South Africa, the Philippines, and Japan in? It would have been a second world war!”
Curiously, the government has been very quiet about the Andaman conflict, possibly because it is reluctant to take sides in a conflict between a good neighbour and a historical ally.
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