The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-24
KAISER SINCERE
LOVER OF PEACE
Few Doubt That He Wishes TO
End Reign Without
CHANGE IS NECESSARY
People Growing Discontinued
Under Burden of Great
Army and Navy.
CHANGE IS NECESSARY

Berlin. December c3.--No ono doubts
tn" Kaiser Is as sincere a lover Of
peace as any monarch In Europe and
everybody here is convinced that no
mas no higher wish than that hc may
be permitted TO end his reign without
the calamity OF war, but still thero arc
many well informed observers of
events. who are beginning to lean to
the conviction that one or two things
must happen. Tho coming few years
must either see the downfall OF mill
tarism in Germany or great war mus.
como 70 convince the German people
that an army of millions OF men IL
necessary to the safety of the country.
Rather than see tho abolition OF our
present military system our military
officers would face tho risk OF war
even If they had to provoke II them
selves
In all parts Of Cermany-less in
Prussia, II is true, than anywhere else,
tho popular opposition to the army is
increasing. the burdens AFRO becoming
unhearable and halt must be called,
ana the voices condemning ~ patriotism
banlruptine the country ana paurpcr-
izing its citizens arc growing stronger.
the limit of the German peoples pa
tencc towards militarism has been
reached and omens OF what will come
are not lacking. \ few moro Socialist
victories and a militaristic government
majority in tho Rcichstag will be i'm
possible. Bavaria has shown tho way.
Two weeks ago the Bavarian Prime
Minister voiced tho feelings Of the
whole German people, when he said i'm
the Bavarian Diet that although tho
Bavarian government had done what TX
considered it's duty when tho imperial
government declared that 1t was unable
TO guarantee the safety of the empire
unless the enormous amount asked for
on the army budget We're Forthcoming,
wi, -
the duty of the government of Bavaria
10 say that this continual increase
In ornaments must now cease for
years. for the Bavarian, as in fact the
whole German people. arc unable to
bear these burdens"
The words OF the BaVarlan Primo
Minister nave been as strongly con-
dcmned in tho government and milf
taristic press as thcy have been praised
in the papers that represent the masses
OF the people.
Might Restore Popularity.
Only II war might restore the popu-
larity or the army ana very prominent
army officers havSsneVcr concealed their
opinion that war would be n blessing
to Germany.
Sitting clo6c 10 group OF high
army officers in Il fashionable Berlin
cafe the other night. overheard Il con-
varsation concerning the incidents ut
Habcrn, in Alsacc. in winch all tho ofli-
cc's not only Expressed their usual
contempt of civilians. but agreed that
y few more affairs of that kind might
be exceedingly useful They might
stir up tho people OF France TO such n
pitch that 4 war would bo unavoid-
aole, which would once moro restore
the German army to popularity.
Al! army among whose officers such
feelings are common constitutes Il great
danger to the peace OF Europe. Ii is
a M fn IN do
preserve its position If steps are taken
by the ReichstaG to curb il and put an
end to the military dictatorships Which
practically exist In many places be-
side Zabern.
That these military '1Iotspurs' i'm the
German army are not oVercstimating
their ability to stir up what may in
crease into fatal excitement in
France is amply proved by tho com
paratiVely unknown fact that immc-
hiAtc!Y after the Iabern incidents pub
l:c opinion In France forced the pres
ent French government TO mako y
strong protest in Wlhelmstrasse, be-
cause it had been reported In Franco
That Lieutenant Won l'orstncr had spo-
ken in insulting. or at least Sighting
terms OF the French national coiors.
and II was this protest which save the
first Impulse To an official inquiry and
punishment of those guilty of abuse OF
power.
In spite OF the optimistic views eN-
pressed by the Russian Prime Minister
.>okowzow during his recent visit TO
iicrliu. thero is good reason To fear
that political conditions in Russia are
ANYTHING but satisfactory. and that the
country is on tho Verge of a new incvi-
table catastrophe. al tho recent an
-ual convention of the Octobrists in
ltussia, NJ. Gutchkow. the leader of That
party, openly asserted that IL would be
Il crime against Russia to support the
administration.
He accused the government OF fall
styling election returns and OF in
timidatinS voters in a way hitherto
unheard OF even IN Russia, ana OF
H"g!ccting to carry out all promised
reforms. while at the same time low
cring the prestige of Russia in tho
eyes of Europe. During the whole
Balkan conflict the stupidity and
timidity OF the Russian government
had been disgracctui, and Russia had
lost all the CHANGED and all the posi-
tons for which the Russian nation had
shed it's blood. The Octobrist had now
reached the party of the ways, and
must make it their most sacred task
10 project the country against official
corruption or sink into oblivion for
ever.
Speech Denounced.
Gutschkows speech has been de-
nouDccd by the government as revo-
lutionary, and should tho Octobrists
try TO force through their resolution.
which condemns the government in the
most violent terms, there is no shadow
OF doubt that the government will dis
solve the fourth Duma and diminish
the powers OF tho Parliament which