The German Army . . .

In Le Temps, semi-official Paris journal, one Reboul, a Lieutenant Colonel, wrote indignantly concerning various alleged activities of the German Army:

" The Treaty of Versailles forbids the German Army the use of the aerial machine and the noxious gas. What difference does it make?

"To the accusations made against them on that account, the Germans make this remarkable reply: 'All modern armies possess them; hence the necessity for our troops to be acquainted with them, even if they have not the right to use them.' It is under this pretense that the units of the Reichswehr [German defense force] are instructed in the handling of the machine-pistol. The interallied military commission of control has forbidden them the use of that weapon. Well! the Reichswehr has none in fact, but that is no reason why Germany's soldiers should not practice with the machinenpistolen . . . . Who will know the difference? The Entente is once more deceived and the German Government . . . can be sure of disposing, when the time for mobilization arrives, of a sufficient number of soldiers of the Reischswehr, sufficiently skilled in the handling of the machinenpistolen to fulfill their functions.

"Anti-tank guns are also forbidden to the German Army. This does not stop it from foreseeing their use and from preparing crews to man them. . .

"It seems quite clear that all this armament is not solely for the purpose of maintaining order in the interior of its frontiers. Germany is trying to equip her infantry units with the most powerful weapons possible; she is undoubtedly preparing them with a view to offensive warfare.

"This thought of offensive war betrays itself constantly in her organization. The ultimatum of London had authorized her to keep only 55 quartermasters' stores; she now has 139, that is a number nearly similar to the one she had before the War, 144. If the territorial amputations suffered by the Reich are taken into account, these figures (that of 139 and that of 144) correspond strangely. They prove that today Germany has regained hold of her former organization.