Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-06
Germans QuarreIing
Over Their War Aims
at Most Critical Hour
BY CYRIL BROWN.


the New York World. Copyright. 1917
COPENHAGEN. May 5. via London
The Germans today are lapsing into
the hysterical Germanic vice OF quar-
rels at the most critical hour for the
Fatherland. Reports from Gerry indi-
cate that political censorship is abso-
lutely wide open. Discussion OF war
aims is free at last and consequently
the internal fight over peace terms 10
waxing rhetorically embittered.
Annexationists. after prudently lying
low for some time. again feel them
selves strong enough to make a de-
termined stand against the socialist
propaganda for immediate peace on
basis of no annexations and no war in
IDENTITIES.
Propaganda Is Spread.
stirring appeal is being sent broad
cast throughout Germany adjuring tho
German people not to hsed the voices Of
the socialists. pacifists and other weak.
lings." and thus be cheated of the ma
terial fruits of the successes of Ger
man arms. An enthusiastically pushed
propaganda of the anneXationists. which
has behind it the powerful support OF
propaganda of the annexationists
unions, representing not only Prussia,
but Bavaria. Wurttemburg and Baden.
According to this propaganda. public
opinion demands only peace with In
IDENTITIES, power increase and acquisi.
tion of territory.
Minimum DemanGs.
While not specifically mentioned.
minimum demands of the increasingly
vociferous annexationists include an
nexation and colonization of land in
Courtland and Livonia. keeping hold on
the Belgian coast, the annexation OF
French ore and coal, a base about
Brieux and acquisition of the Belgian
colonies.
Despite the fact that a majority of
Germans want peace as soon as possible
on any basis involving no humiliation.
there is still a small but powerful war
party which firmly believes that IL the
German people can only be induced to
hold out and continue making all kinds
of sacrifices and endure the hardships
called for the submarine war viii ul-
timately enable Germany to conclude
victorious peace on the above lines.
Make Capital Out of Strike.
The dark forces of reaction are maxi
ing the utmost capital out of the recent
strike of ammunition workers. which
came most opportunely. playing into
the hands of the pan-Germans. an
and conservatives. The
new reactionary movement is taking
the initial form of an offensive against
the growing social democratic influence
on the imperial government.
The socialists are reproached with a
criminal agitation. eliminating in the
workers strikes. and this
Tlath htrnu N m IS
proa ched with having leaned in its
policy. exclusively to the side of the
socialists. with sorry results. Al the
same time the new reactlonary slogan
is being sounded that "a policy of con-
stant giving in to the unjustihed wishes
of the socialists does not promise in
ternal unity and the will to victory, and
that by the threatened complete democ-
ra tization of the German state the future
OF the empire is being gravely imperiled."
Social democrats and liberal and pro-
gressive elements are keenly alive to
the new reactionary danger, and
sharp internal political
struggle may be looked for, with the
spirit in Germany not to be
doubted.
The chancellor will shortly be forced
10 answer or to sidestep a conservative
ation in the reichstag to the
effect that the socialist resolution In
favor of a peace without annexations
,r indemnities has caused great un-
easiness among the German people. and
whether the chancellor Is prepared to
make known his standpoint on the So
,ialist resolution.
Cannot Dodge Frank Answer.
The chancellor can hardly dare 60
lodge a frank and specific answer -
Tho conservative question. since h2s