New Regime

New Regime

Germany has leapt from frying-pan to fire.

The military dictatorship came to an end and General von Seeckt, Commander-in-Chief of the Reichswehr, was deprived of the supreme power he has so effectually wielded since last September.

Hopes of a return to normal conditions were, however, quickly shattered. The Government announced the establishment of a state of civil martial law, under which supreme power is transferred to Dr. Jarres, Minister of the Interior.

The new regime was said to be a "somewhat watered" issue of the old. The main difference is that the ban on the activities of the extreme right and left parties is removed. Otherwise, like General von Seeckt, Dr. Jarres may maintain internal peace by using the Army in any way he sees fit.

A decree issued by the Bavarian Government, abolishing republican rights, which had been previously denounced by the Federal Government in Berlin, is allowed by the Federal Government to remain in force. Saxony and Thuringia, states with a marked inclination to Bolshevism, have, however, been given relief from the military overlordship to which they have for some time been subjected. Possibly this is because the dangers of Bolshevism were considered to have "blown over."

At all events the new measure was widely heralded in Germany as a victory for the Royalists and has excited much bitter comment on that account from the Socialists and Liberals.