Equality Snatched

In Germany's Imperial days her Ambassadors & Ministers had no control over the military & naval attaches attached to her embassies & legations. They were considered a corps d'elite. Culled from highest German aristocracy, they reported directly to Wilhelm II, All Highest War Lord. Last week authority to send out such attaches again, for the first time since the War, was sought from aristocratic Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher by himself in his military roles of Defense Minister and General.

Eager to oblige his military self, Statesman von Schleicher dug up the so-called "Geneva Declaration." This was signed and forgotten last month amid Europe's hubbub about War debts. The signatories were trying to adjourn Geneva's abortive Disarmament Conference with some show of accomplishment. Among other vague pledges (TIME, Dec. 19) Britain, France, Italy pledged that the Conference, when and if it reconvenes this year, shall strive to obtain for Germany and other powers "equality of rights in a system which would provide security for all nations."

This pledge, according to Chancellor von Schleicher, constitutes recognition of Germany's "equality rights," and therefore entitles her to send out military & naval attaches as is done by other Great Powers. As a starter, Defense Minister von Schleicher will send naval attaches to London, Paris, Rome; military attaches to Moscow, Paris, London, Washington, Rome, Warsaw, Prague.

To Washington as military attache will go the Commandant of Germany's famed Jueterbog Artillery School, bristling Major General Friedrich von Boetticher who has personally directed the fire of almost all the 288 field guns allotted Germany under the Treaty of Versailles. London will get as naval attache Captain Erwin Wassner who commanded a submarine in the English Channel, won a decoration from All Highest Wilhelm II for his smart torpedo work.

Since 85-year-old President von Hindenburg has no head for reading attaches' reports they will be handed in to the various German Ambassadors and Ministers who will pop them into diplomatic pouches, send them direct to Statesman von Schleicher.

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