Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-12-31
COUNTRY READY FOR
EITHER PEACE OR WAR
Hopeful That the Conflict
May Be Brought to an
End, but Prepared to
Fight It Out if the Allies
Finally Refuse to Consider
Negotiations for Peace.
BY CARL w. ACkERMAN.

Berlin, Dec. 3OoGermany is as ready
for peace as she is for continued war.
Her record of 1915 justifies either. She
begins the year 1917 with her lines on
the western front unbroken after Eng
and this despite the fact that her
armies have swept victorious over
three-fourths of Rumania-
Foremost of the years events in
Germany was the proffer of peace by
the Imperial Chancellor Won Bethman-
Hcllweg. German public opinion ap-
rlhuds that sentiment which urged this
magm. .nimous tender. The chancel-
lor's speech in the reichstag and his
note to Germany's enemies aptly SUM-
married. the view of the German peo-
pie
FOR ALLIES 70 DECIDE.
In the German view, it is now entire-
~ matter for the allies to decide
whether they desire to make peace, or
continue f:ginrg. Germany wants
peace--but her united public opinion,
her uncrusheG army and navy, sTe
ready to fight on.
AS matter Of fact, Germany today
is passing through a transition period
in her internal affairs. Because the
world at large has been SO interested
in purely war affairs, it has overlooked
perhaps the most important movement
in Germany since 1914. The develop
ment Is the "Neuorientierung'-
meaning 'readjustment Of the nation
to changing conditions Really. 1t is
the German Renaissance of 1916--a
peaceful, political revolution working
so quietly that even some Germans do
not see it's Developments.
Repeatedly the Danes and the Dutch
and other neutrals ask When will the
revolution n?"-believing that
changing conditions can only be
brought about by force. and not being
aware that the only revolution is a
renaissance or rebirth.
CHANCELLOR SOUNDED KEYNOTE
That rebirth is already under way.
Everyone from the chancellor down
to the laborer is playing role.
The chancellor in the reiehstag
sounded the keynote of the movement
when he said: There must be free
opportunity for all capable people,
In other words, the new movement
is universal change by the people,
t he reichstag and the government to
give the people by franchise and
through the reichstag more of a voice
in the nations affairs.
The socialists have been saying
I'VE want more authority" And the
government, instead of extending a
deaf ear. is listening to all suggestions.
Through the chancellor the govern
ment is showing spirit of Willingness
to get together.
PEACEFUL REIMBURSEMENT.
| Thus, the Neuorientierung is making
such headway that from present indi-
peaceful readjustment to new condi-
tions.
In three ways this new movement
thas been manifest
| First. in the reichstag; second, in
the press; third, the relations between
royalty and the commoners.
So far it is almost impossible to say
exactly what the reichstag is grasp
ing for. Almost year ago some rad
icals said that when the war came tc
an end the ministers must be there
after responsible to the reichstag-bui
in the Neuorienticrung this has beer
undebated.
Various propositions have been ad-
vanced in measures introduced In the
reichstag The National Liberals ask
ed recently for information of a spe-
4 cial committee to advise with the gov
ernmcnt on foreign affairs. Another
member suggested parliamentary un-
dersecretary OF state. responsible tc
\ the reichstag.
CLAIM UNWRITTEN POWER.
But even today, although the reich,
stag does not name ministers. its mem
bers are consulted and privately claim
/ the unwritten power to make or un-
make cabinet members.
! In regard to point two-that democ-
racy is making inroads in Germany Is
/ evidenced in the press. Scores oi
times editors have published opinions
that they knew would result in confis-
/ cation of their editions. But they
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