Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-16
DR. GEORGE MIcHAELIs
 COMMONER CHANCELLOR
Has Not Indicated His Policy Regard :
 ing Reform and Peace.

ing Reform and Peace.
 first commoner chancellor, Dr. George Michaelfs. a bureaucrat without even a noble "Von" before his name, has as yet given no Indication of his policy regarding reform and peace. Neither the conservatives nor the liberals have as yet ventured to call him their own.
 The chancel1or's first step which might be interpreted as an indication of an open mind was to receive repre- sentatives of the two divergent groups Tn the reichstag and permit them to explain their respective stand points the chancellor playing the role of listener to the conversations con- ducted by the vice chancellor, Dr. Karl He!ferfch, and the reichstag represen- tatives
 The German papers unite in characterizations of his energy and fair mindedneSs but are most reserved in their predictions of his probable policy. The papers aligned for the so-called German peace are perhaps a shade more enthusiastic about the political possibilities under the new regime than the radical and socialist organs.
 Nearer Right Than Left.
 The Cologne Volks Zeitung, the pathies. says that Dr. Michaelis un- dozsbtedJy stands nearer the Right than the Left parties. The line of the com nent evidently emanating from Will helrnstrasse is that the new chancellor regards as his missien the restoration of the internal harmony of the nation whatever policy may be adopted. No matter what else may result. the change will undoubtedly mean the dis appearance of the Von Bethnann Hollweg peace programme.
 Dr. Won Bethmann-H Hollweg's poli- cy regarding the ultimate aims of the war had from the beginning been a personal one, in which the chancellor above the parties" had formed a pro- gramme above parliamentary parties the military authorities and the em- peror alike, and he endeavored by gentle, steady pressure and suggestion to impose it upon a changeful sov- ereign oscillating between vistas of brilliant ambition and realizations of cold facts; upon the puissant military caste represented by Field Marshal von Hindenberg and General Luden- dorff and a bIundering, unbrilIiant parliament
 It Is New Deal.
 The appointment of Dr. Michaelis undoubtedly means new deal of the cards. Berlin papers which were pub lished before the appointment of Dr. M1chaeHS was known, throw further light upon the circumstances of Won Bethn1ann -Hollweg's retirement. They show that the emperor was confront ed by the necessity of dropping the inn peria1 chancellor or virtually the en- which, including the war minister General Won Stein, a soldier, not a politian, submitted their resignations, declaring that they could not remain if Berthmann- -Holweg was retained.
 Bavarian Premier's Attitude.
 The Bavarian premier, Count Won Hertling, who favored moderate peace proposals, but f1atly refused to accept the idea of a parliamentary ministry, which would diminish Bavaria's spe- cia1 influence upon the government. seems to have thrown himself into the struggle against Won Bethmann at the last minute. The Bavarian Centrist member of the reichstag started an an- ti- Won Bethmann revolt within the party and the crown prince made valid his long standing objections to the imperial chancellor.
 To Sidetrack Peace.
 Field Marshal von Hindenburg and General Ludendorff were again sum- moned to Berlin, not to interfere, ac- cording to the unanimous account in of the situation, but to sidetrack the proposed peace resolution by encour- aging reports of the military situation.
 Sweeping Changes Expected.
 Before the selection of Dr. Michaelis became known, the papers generally agreed that V on B6thmann- -HOllWeg'S retirement would be accompanied by sweeping changes in the imperial and and Prussian administra tions. The feeling was general that a large part of the secretaries of state and minis ters who had been in office since and before the wah and had exhausted their efficiency and availability through long continuance at their posts under the tremendous responsibilities of the war should be replaced by fresh hands and brains, without any incum- brances of the past.
 The Ultimate Analysis.
 This, in the ultimate analysis, was probably one of the chief consider ations impelling the emperor to accept the resignation of a personally sym pathetic statesman, who, according to Vorwa erts, in his political obituary, meant well feebly; whose wish was to conduct the war as defensive strug- gle and prevent it's extension to new enemies, but who yielded to forces stronger in the public than himself, and who wanted to base his policy up- on the broad basis of democracy, but who lacked energy and force to draw the necessary conclusions therefrom."