Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-03-30

Mutterines Of Revolution In Germany

The tide of democracy is rising in Germany as i
rose in Russia. That swelling undertone. the nut
terings of millions is heard along Inter den LindeI
as ii was heard along the Neysky Prospekt, and al
the bureaucrats and the militarsts of the German
empire are fearful at the thought of revolution.
Won Bethmann. HoIlweg. a master mind in inter
nal affairs, whatever one may think of his diplo
macy is striving to calm the growing discomfort
forms. And yet the restless Socialists and the
famous Left in the lower house of the Prussian Die
are not appeased. Their demands are the demands
of the German people-protest against the junkers
against the lofty Conservatives against all the
makers who have waded knee-deep in their nations
blood
Yesterdays dispatches were profoundly signi
icant. Twice now within two weeks the chancellor
has taken occasion publicly to promise electoral re
forms as soon the war is over The first instance
was the day after the Russian revolution was ac
eonplished. AT that time the rigid German censor
ship adspreyented the German people from know
ing the news, but German ofieialdom knew it-and
trenbled at the thought that the Romanofs had
fallen, the car was imprisoned, the Duma in the
ascendant, democracy ruling vast country
Unable to keep rumors Of the overthrow of the
Russian dynasty from the people, the chancellor
softened the blow by speech proclaiming intention
to bring about reforms Now again he must give
promises. This means Enthusiastically that there is
rebellion in Germany against the rule that has
brought terrible war and now the prospect OF
crushing defeat
On the evening of March 10, von Bethmann- Holl
veg made in the Diet this remarkable statement:
'sWoe to the statesman who cannot read the signs
Of the times. Woe to the statesman who believes
that after catastrophe such as the world has never
seen before the scope of which contemporaries and
those directly engaged in it cannot possibly
as vet, he can start where he left off before the
catastrophe
Remarkable? Yes. This is not mere rhetoric 1t
was the answer to Conservative who had told the
Diet that the government must satisfy all Germany
demands in the war-to put it badly, that the gov
efnment must exact from its enemies compensations
81 money and products on a large scale, annexed
territory and guarantees for the future
This meant. in brief, that the Conservatives were
tryingto stand where they stood when the war
broke out
But the chancellor has no illusions and in this
speech he served notice that reforms must be given
which will make the privileged class give up their
privileges
One deputy, Hoffman, has recently been expelled
from the Diet because be warned the warlords
against revolution, He pointed to Russia as an ex-
ample OF what is likely to happen TO Germany For
this plainspoken language he lost his seat
The startling success of the Russian revolution
has shaken the Hohenzoern structure to it's depths.
The National Liberals the Liberals and the Social
lists are not to be appeased by soft words And
meanwhile the suffering of the people is shaking the
hold which supreme loyalty has cemented. If the
Germans once gain the idea that they have been
trieked by their leaders in this war; there will be
another disaster to bureaucracy.
The news from Spain is also indicative OF serious
unrest. Here is neutral whose suffering is vrtu-
ally as great as that Of some of the beligerents
A month ago the man that predicted successful
revolution in Russia would have been called crazy.
Such a prediction about Germany and Spain would
today cause less scofing. Perhaps the war will
sweep away all the European monarchies with their
outworn fetishes and strutting caste
~