Raemaekers is pitiless, but never oversteps the truth. National Debts
are ever national millstones, worn around the neck. They are worn
unwillingly, and they are not ornamental; they are a burden, and the
weight is sometimes crushing. A prospect of that sort seems to be the
lot of several of the “Great Powers” of Europe for the remainder,
and the greater portion, of the Twentieth Century. Though German
“civilisation” were more worthy of such a term and its associations as
Kultur ten times over, would it become any Potentate and his advisers
to impose it on so many countries at such a cost in suffering as all
this--and more?
But Kaiser Wilhelm and his crew of State-at-any-price men impose not
on other peoples only: they impose on their own kith and kin. Look at
these three sad and apprehensive figures playing the Loan Game--the
first, the second, the third Loan! Children, says the artist, passing
the coin from one hand to another’s, and getting richer at each pass!!
Yes, children, the German people treated so by a few dominies. State
dominies and the Director (or dupe!) at Berlin! No people gains, every
people loses by incurring a Debt; but in Germany, and to-day! to incur
an indebtedness, contract a loss, does not suffice; the people must not
know it.
Even the children know that coin has not left them richer: many,
very many Germans know the Kultur War to be ruinous: but Berlin must
play the Game still, and assume that the tricks and aims cannot be
understood! It is lack of regard for other nations carried into German
Finance; and all because the bureaucratic military heart is a stone.
The piling up of State paper goes on, but not merrily, as Michael
goes from Darlehnkasse to Reichsbank, one, two, three (and is about
to go the fourth time!). This game of processions to the Kasse does
not increase the available wealth within beleaguered Germany: and the
100-mark Note has no reference to material wealth securing it.
Now, the Commercial magnates of Germany realise the crushing fact--No
indemnity possible!! and what of the Notes which are held? When shades
of night fall heavily, and the Loan Game can be played no more, will
the German people, tricked and impoverished, go to bed supperless and
silent? German finance IS “a scrap of paper.”