New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-20
Will Appear Before Main
Committee of the
Reichstag
Social Democrats
Plan Interpolation
Will Ask for Reiteration of
Germany's Position
on Peace

BERLIN, Aug. l9.-Peace discus
sions in which the new Imperial
Chancellor, DR.. Michaelis, will take
part will occupy the attention Of the
main committee of the Reichstag when
it conrenes Tuesday next. Il Is ex-
pected that Michaelis will refer to the
Papal note, and possibly define his at
titude toward the Pontiff's proposal.
There is a prospect that the Social
Democrats will make an Interpolation
calling on the government to reiterate
a statement of its war aims as adopted
by two-thirGs majority at the close of
the recent stormy session OF the
Reichstag.
The session of the Main Committee
will further occupy itself not only with
an active review of military and eco
nomic affairs, but with new legislation
relating to the reorganization of the
Food Bureau and the division of the
Department of the Interior. This de-
partment will have a subdivision de-
voted to legislation respecting COM
merce, labor and social questions, in
which fields farreaching reforms and
innovations are forecast.
The military and economic situation
in the empire is said to be consider
ably improved over conditions obtain
ing six weeks ago, when the political
crisis broke. At that time the Rus
SLAMS were penetrating further into Ga
licia, while the U-boat figures threat
ened to show falling off in sunken
tonnage.
Food Situation Better
The food situation in Germany was
then anything but confidence-inspiring,
due TO a shortage of potatoes and alb
sence of new vegetables and fruit and
reduced bread rations. To-day the
food situation has been eased by the
arrival of new potato crop, added
bread rations and an improvement IN
the supply of vegetables. while the
military situation on the Eastern
front. according 10 the official lead
ers, has been converted into an over
whe!ming rout of the Russians and
Rumanians and redemption OF Aus
trian soil from the invaders.
The outstanding military feature
since the quieting of the recent politl-
cal storm. however. is found on the
Western front, where the offensive OF
the Entente in Flanders, in the Ger
man view, is again halted, and the
German U-boat base on the Belgian
coast has been successfully defended;
The new Chancellor and his newly
appointed staff of secretaries, thAre-
fore, are permitted to enter into the
initial conferences with the Reichstag
main committee at a moment when the
Central Powers are declared again 70
be in military ascendency and the do
mestic situation is shorn Of features
which embarrassed the government on
the eve of the crisis.
Protests at Adjournment
When the Reichstsg adjourned its
plenary sessions TO September 26 pro-
tests were not lacking. which pointed
out the need of Parliament and the
government keeping in active touch
with each other, even while the new
regime was being inducted into once.
The desire to give Chancellor Michaelis
an opportunity to select new aids, TO
inform himself regarding the chief
problems confronting the nation and to
formulate his programme warranted
the brief intermission which has now
come to an end with the summons OF
- -. Ma;r rop,r,it ittaa for Tuesday