The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-30
BY w. j. MESSENGER,

Washington April 29.-Iale
most decisive political step OF the
general war against Germany VIII
bt, reached Tuesday. state depart
nteyt officials confidently believed
today. On the. outcome OF the
threatened general strike ot fotst
producers and munitions workers
i'm Germany on May day viii de-
pend whether Germany mnst bow
To defeat AT an early date or viii
he abl, to light on for months
longer.
Officials admitted today that
should Germany survive the an
ti-war demonstrations planned ny
the German pop,iiatr Oh May /.
the empire will he able To hght
for n Tar 11nSsrr uJfks than is gen
orally sg ss&s& sgi w Sfg4erfs-a. THIS
belief was based upon official re-
ports upon conditions i'm Germany
from switzerland, Denmark and
France.
The unrest in Germany and The
di~-a abstraction with the rS>Sent
conditions has reached its climax.
the report states. If German Of
ficiais can pass safely through
this crisis IL IL believed here that
the government will bc secure for
another year OF war. In the
meantime. Germany's submarines
will probably continue tn play
havoc with the shipping of food
supplies and munitions this gov
eminent Ia To furnish the entente
allies.
The present critical condition
taa. los .tx~
brought about ny President VII
sons war address to congress, the
state Department has been Off
fdaIiy advised, IL was learned to-
day. Reports show shat more
than 900. 900 copies Of the mc--
sage, Tn which the president
showed that 1.-The United States
has no quarrel with the German
people, themselves, have To date
been translated into German and
dropped behind the German lines
by French. British and american
aviators on the west front.
Copies Are Distributed.
These copies have been distribute
Lmong the civilian population to
arge extent by Socialists and otht
var organs. IL has been learned an
IRE said to be In large measure re
ponsihle for the sudden accelerate
o the suIlenness OF the German pee
lie against the government.
A stronger national movement 10
republican form OF government
expected 10 result from The strike
tuesday. Steps leading 10 the earl
Of the kaiser's governmer
nay result.
The admitted difficult situation c
he German cabinet at present
ausing deep interest among off1ciaI
'ere The situation has been talke
ver informally between state depart
nent officials and members of tn
british and French missions
The spread of the Socialist doctrine
n Germany is known to he fast, an
demands for the forma
ion Of democratic government ar
expected to result Tuesday. unless tn
German officials are successful
temming the Socialistic tide.
According to officials here. the on
Iope the German government has c
'assing through Tuesdays crisis lie
n the fact that the people can b
onvinced that an early scparat
'eace with Russia is guaranteed
Light On Situation.
Considerable light upon the Rus
ian situation has been given thi
government by the entente commits
toner's during their conference wit
President Wilson and officials of u
tate department.
The political trend Of Russia Is a
let underlined. That is about III
rorst that has been said. No cor
iusive evidence has been obtaine
hat there is any important unde
urrent OF desire for a separate peac,
ut the apparent inability of the Rus
ian political leaders to form int
solid. ORGANIZED government. If con
lnued, might result in such dissatis
action that general desire 70
peace at any price" might result
his condition is expected to he great
' improved through the efforts of tn
utnre American commission worl
No definite information as to con
itions in Russia has been receive
" this government for several day,
xcept these assurances given by Rus
ian officials in interviews and in tele
rams to Americans stating that n
ebarate peace would be entered into
According to some officials her,
russia would come nearer to enter
fcontinued ON Page Two.)
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