IT is not merely in the allied countries that the thought of reconstruction of the world on a new basis is occupying men's minds. In Germany itself thinkers are beginning to look ahead. In the sphere of politics, as our readers are aware, there is a growing body of thought in Germany mostly Socialist, which favours a reconstruction of the State on democratic lines. In economics Walter Rahtenau foresees the advent of a new order in which, while there will be no interference with the manifestations or religious, artistic and philosophical thought, the best talents of every nation will be applied to the perfecting of an organisation tending to ensure the economic well-being of the nation and its component parts.