Arizona republican., 1917-09-16
German Politics

We hear of disputes within the German empire regarding peace and, without least superficial knowledge German politics, apt to think there is a large pacfst element there there is in this country and in France one which would stop the all hazards and at all costs There is such group in Germany but it consists of the social demo- crats and not all them their off shoot the labor union party.
 But with all other elements the talk of peace hangs upon many things. Perhaps there is now no German element which would insist peace only result of complete victory. We think the Ger dream of world conquest, for the present, at least, over; that it probably ended at the Marne. Since then Germany has been fighting only for posi- ton in peace conference
 The questions of annexation, Asace and Lorraine, and the Balkans the chief considered in necton with peace discussions and them all and especially the first two, German sentiment divides. It is here that apt msapprehend the German view, and the for the views of the various groups.
 Perhaps comparatively few German leaders are nsstent upon annexation of any of the conquered territory The government itself does not desire the annexation of these territories integral part of empire with representation the reichsag which, with difficulty assimlates the various geopraphi cal and racial interests of the empire The Catholic party as MT. Gerard has pOlHted out, IS opposed 10 out and out annexation but with government leaders. would prefer autonomous governments under German domination
 Another strong group suggests the status quo ante and would abandon if necessary, the whole project of annexation and German interference with any territory occupied during the It wants peace but other price than the abandonment of the early mtarist designs. A radical element of this group would throw the question of Alsace-Lor rane into peace discussion and would if necessary. sacrifice the Reichland to peace This element if it has not already done so refer Bismarck who forty years ago gave warning that the seeds of trouble for Germany germinating in those provinces
 This element does not demand the surrender of these provinces of the principle of further annexa ton, but it merely demands that they be allowed to stand in the way of peace discussion.
 So far this element and have no means of knowing how strong it may be- is in accord with the popes late peace proposal As to the Balkans another group. smaller one, composed in part of the former one, would throw that question also the table but German statesmen as rule have refrained from discussion of it.
 From all this it will be seen that there is no price sentiment in Germany. The prices range all the way from the great prize which lured Germany into the down to immunity from pun shment the crimes which Germany has com mitted.
 Ten days hence there will be meeting of the reichstag which German sentiment will be fairly clearly exposed, and various predictions are made as to the sentiment that will prevail. The frequent prediction is that the expression will demand an abandonment by the government all plans of con- quest in which there will be propagation
 We print elsewhere this morning an illuminative article on the German situation from the New York Times which recognizes the full power of the govern nent, but which indicates that point beyond which the government will hesitate to go in opposi- ton to the will of the people.