Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-04
ENJOYS NOT SURPRISED.

sudden decision against announcing
terms on which she would be willing to
discuss peace caused disappointment.
| in Washington, but did not occasion
extreme surprise.
Although in some circles yesterdays
announcement that Chancellor Won
Bethmann-Hollweg would reveal the
kajser's peace proposals before the
reichstag tomorrow was welcomed as
, an indication that the war would be
brought to speedy conclusion. this
feeling was not shared by the members
of the British and French commits
siOns here to discuss measures for the
defeat Of Germany.
A series Of feelers has been expected
( by the allies during the next few
| months as many quiet peace efforts
+, have been under way by Teutonic en-
| issaries. especially by Austrians in
Berne, but no credence is being placed
| in their acceptability.
Germany is said to have made ad-
vances to the entente proposing sur
rendering her conquests in the east
and west on condition of retaining her
| Balkan way to Bagdad and Mesopo-
| tamia. but the allies have been more
,
any other proposal.
Prospects of separate peace by
way of the Teutonic countries are
! wholly discounted by the British mis-.
sion on the ground that Germany's
hold on her allies is altogether too
firm
ANTLSTRIkE MOVE.
1t is considered highly probable that
the chancellor's promise was inspired
largely by desire to avert serious
demonstrations among the German rad.
icals on May day by convincing the
German people that the allies are de-
termined to exterminate the nation,
thus urging them to avoid strikes and
accept hunger as the price of their ma
tional entity.
Coming. as it did. just when all
Europe was facing the possibility of q
r.cnster demonstration for peace by
the common people of several coun-
tries, the chancellor's offer of yester-
day appears in the light of gigantic
hoax. planned and timed exactly right
to victimize his own people and the
gIllible Russians, particularly, and the
world in general. and put forward with
The intention 10 withdraw it after II had
performed its May day service.
SHOWS kAIsER'S CONFIDENCE.
The prompt Withdrawal of the pro-
posal, even before it's terms could be
made known. is taken here as an indi-
cation that the expected demonstra-
lions in Germany marking May day
vera less serious than had been feared
in Berlin, and that the bureaucracy is
confident of its ability to control the
German public and stiae demands for
peace at this time
This latest turn in the international
situation brings home to official Wash
ineton the realization that America
and her allies are facing most seri-
Gus crisis.
ALLIES NEAR EXHAUSTION.
The armies Of France and England
are nearing exhaustion after their sue
cessful but costly drive against the
Hindenburg line. France. as Field
Marshal Joffre has told Americans in
repeated warnings, is suffering from
the loss and near-exhaustion Of her
man power England is suffering as
greatly, as was asserted in such strong
Percy of the British commission. be-
cause of the German submarine block
ade which is responsible for a dan
serous shortage of foodstuffs.
Russia is disorganiZed and under the
most favorable circumstances can do
no,more than hold its own while the
Germans are too busy elsewhere TO
attack vigorously on the eastern front.
Unless th4 shortage of bottoms can
be materially relieved within the next
three months ENGLAND is likely to be
nut out of commission as a powerful
factor in the war. AS the submarines
exact their steady toll of supply ships
this danger becomes more menacing.
gRlTCNS FEAR INVASION.
That the British fear the worst is
evidenced by the revelation that Of
the 100000 fighting men England has
assembled and trained 100000 are be.
ing held at home to repe' possible