Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-16
a coal shortage which seemed to us
and still seems, inevitable.
THE GERMAN TREND.

The news of the mutiny in the Ger
man navy is of much more than passing
interest since it indicates that after all
there is enough spirit among some OF
the kaiser's subjects to impel them to
revolt The furore that the revelations
of the mutiny have aroused in Ger.
many and the indignation expressed by
the inspired imperial press Is ample
proof that the supporters of the kaiser
feel extreme anxiety over the situa-
ton.
1t is the irony Of fate that the
authors of the revolt adopted the plan
after having been in communication
with representatives of the councils
which abound in the army and navy of
Russia. These same councils have had
a major part in the removal of Russia
from the list of effective enemies OF
Germany. That they should weaken
the iron discipline which for so long
has been a prominent characteristic
of the kaiser's militarist organization
seems almost a providential dispense
ton.
Chancellor Michaelis, according to
dispatches, induced Emperor William
to rescind his original order for the
execution of a large number of the
mutineers and was successful in reduc-
ing the death total. His interference
with the stern measures prescribed
by the kaiser was not through desire
to be merciful. He urged that he
would find it very difficult to justify the
killing of SO many when called to &C.
count by the reichstag.
The reichstag majority, which is ex-
ercising lively opposition to the gov
ernment's plan of warfare, has been a
thorn in Chancellor Michaelis' side
since the day he succeeded Won Beth
mann-Hollweg. This reichstag major
ity, to be sure, is able to accomplish
little in the way of reform legislation
or revision of the government pro-
gram, but its members are decidedly
Industrious speech makers and their
criticism worries the loyal Michaelis
noticeably.
1t is evident that an effort is being
made by the pan-Germans to fasten on
the socialists direct responsibility for
the mutiny plots Vorwaerts, organ OF
the socialist party, rushes to the de-
tense of the accused men, but the i'm
perialist journals call loudly for
revenge.
DR.. Won Kuehlmans apparent efforts
to commit the government to peace
program which would go at least part
way toward the terms Germany's enc
mics could accept seem to have been
too impulsive. The supplementary
offer as to Belgium which he was said
to have sent to Pope Benedict never
has reached Rome but its existence
has been denied emphatically by
Chancellor Michaelis without provok-
ing reply from Vice Chancellor Won
Kuehlman.
Now, it appears, the vice chancellor
has let fall remark to the general
effect that the way is clear for negoti-
ations, and a socialist deputy is quoted
as having demanded worldwide circu-
lation of the Kuehlman assertion that
aside from the question of Alsace-
Lorraine there seems NO actual bar to
a peace parley.
Such turn of events Of course. is
a direct challenge to the new father
land party Of Tirpitz. which without
question has the approval Of the kaiser
despite the fact that he and his chan
cellor are afraid to say so in answer
to the reichstag Interpolation. Tir-
pitz Hindenburg, Ludendorff and their
associates do the royal bidding al
ways and it Is idle to think that they
would organize new political party
for the sole purpose of maintaining the
kaiser's iron control over the German
public, without his approval and in
SEPARATION.
All the recent events in Germany in
dictate that unrest among the people is
increasing continually. Whether it
will reach the boiling point in time to
serve as an aid to the enemies of Ger
many in forcing the kaiser's surrender
is question that can be answered
only by the future. Withal it is an in.
teresung subject to ponder.