The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-04
Are Internal DissensiOn Re-
ports Just Play for Time!
TO SLOW UP U. S. WAR PACE
Now Look for Crisis in Central
Empires Friction.
See Bad Feeling Growing Be-
tween Austria and Prussia.
RN ARrH1R e. MANN

sCopenhagen May 4.--Either Ger
n1any's war managers are playing tnelr
shrewdest publicity game since the
war began. for the purpose of causing
a relaxation of Americas war prepara-
tions=or Germany is actually beset by
the worst internal dissensionS any
belIigerent has been compelled to
deal with in that time.
Private advices today from sources
which appeared to be most authentic,
emphasized the seriousness of this sit
uation in Germany and Austria and
carried the broad hint that one solu-
ton may be appointment of Count Won
BernstOrff, former German ambasSa-
dor to America, as successor to Foreign
Secretary Afford Zimmerman.
The appointment would be with the
specific idea that Bernstorff attempt
n reconciliation with the United States.
May &c Tcutonlc Intrigue.
The fact that such information came
thru seemingly authentic channels
and was accompanied by a vast
amount of other reports Of dissensions.
permits two conclusions. One may be
that Germany is actually sorely tried
The other j. that she is playing deep
TeutonIc game-thC idea being to luli
America into belief that dissolution of
Germany may be near, that conditions
in the empire indicate no necessity
for much war preparation. Such a
move would he in line with other plays
for time which Germany has regularly
pra cticed.
The news received here from Ger
many indicates near approach of n
crisis in the central empires. This
news may be summarized as follows:
Bad feeling is growing between
Prussia and Austria. Emperor Karl is
spurred on to friction with Germany
by Hungary'S open discomfort. Hun
gary's ruling classes are said to be
fearful of anarchy unless some hope
of peace is shown to her people.
Hamburg Opposes Annexation.
Persistent reports reach here that
there is a growing feeling in Germany
that the submarine warfare has not
been productive of the results antic-
ipated. The city of Hamburg with its
vast shipping industries, is said now
to be approving the course of the
foreign office in opposing the subma-
rine war at the time that ruthless
ness was first agitated. Its approval
was based on the belief that such a
course had only succeeded in increas-
ing the indemnities which Germany
must later pay. and in drawing Amer
lea into the conflict. Germany's COM
mercial prospects, it was held. have
been injured for years to come.
Retention of the Belgian city of
Antwerp by Germany is another thing
feared by Hamburg. resulting in the
WELL defined demand by shipping in
dustries that there be no annexation
of territory by Germany-and more
over, that Germany so announce right
now.
Anti-Zimmermann Increase.
Since revelation of the Zimmerman
scheme to align MeXica and Japan
with Germany against the United
States opposition to the foreign min
lister has increased. Liberals are still
ostensibly supporting him. however.
probably because he is the only nom
Junker in office in Germany.
on the other hand, proponents of
Bernstorff point out his complete IA
miliarity with America and Americans
is something for which there is desperate
need in the foreign office. Moreover.
it is held Bernstorff might very eff
fectively work for adjustment of
Americas quarrel with Germany.
German officials are now said to re-
alize how completely they were wrong
i'm estimating America. The hardest
blow of all comes in their realization
that America intends to fight a real