Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-07-16
The MiIitarists Must Go

and formation of joint dictatorship for Germany
under Generals Won Hindenburg and Won Luden-
dorff is no solution of the Teuton problem. 1t may
delay but cannot avert the ultimate downfall OF
Germany if she continues on her present course
Won Hindenburg was Germanys war hero when
Ne was taken from the eastern front and placed IN
high command Of the German armies. But while
lis name is known far better than that OF Won
Indendorff, the latter has recently been credited
With being the brains of the German military sys
tenn. while Won Hindenburg is its Drawn. AT any
rate. the two have worked together remarkably
veil and ii must therefore be supposed that their
IDEAS Of military and political policy are similar
That Won Hindenburg counselled the resort to
erufhIessuess1 last winter is fact generally cred
tied outside Of Germany on information from Ger
man sources 1t il believed that the grim old war
ror of the Mazurian marches and his chief Of staf
von Ludendorf were influential in bringing the
government to indorse the U-boat campaign of IN
restricted warfare. 1t Is therefore reasonable to
believe that joint dictatorship of these two would
not end the uthlessness' nor even modify it to an
appreciable extent -F1
How Germany can expect to modernize her poll
fcs or better her International position with these
two IN the saddle is impossible to conceive. Even
topsy.turyy German logic could scarcely hope that
dictatorship Of these militarists will improve her
relations with the world In fact, the dictator pro
IRAN as limited at in London dispatches Saturday
night must be taken with large grain of salt, as
must the reports of the kasers abdcation Not that
these things are impossible from il; but that
mere change of military masters offers no hope for
Germany either to tighten her grip on Austria nor
10 better her relations with the world she has shock
Cd and aneered by calculated brutality and viola,
lion Of law.
The news from Austria this morning is startling
but not hard to believe. The young Emperor
Charles has never been blind follower of Berlin,
and since he had nothing to do with the launching
bf this world war; nor with o-German intrigues
that preceded and followed the attack on Serbia,
Ne i bound BY no special Ties to follow Germany
through growing disaster. For Austria it is becom-
inr question Of expediency, and as soon as Aus
'ria feels safe N breaking away from Germany, En-
oeror Charles ii not likely to offer any excuse that
Ties of honor forbid. The heavily censored reports
from Vienna indicate that the peace clamor in Aus
'ria and Hungary is growing to such proportions
that the cabinet Of the Dual Monarchy cannot
ignore it.
Russias unexpected offensive on the east, carried
out with speed and force which has proved a dis
inct surprise to military critics, is spur to Aus.
tlian peace talk No matter what excuses Germany
may give that the Teutons have merely a thin line
Of troops the east the fact is that the slays have
Ieeained hundreds of square miles of territory,
taken many thousand prisoners and large supplies,
Is the past month. To regain the lost ground, Ger
many must detach men from the west front, hard
driven as it is and sacrifice them on the east Eth
e that or Try yainly to still Austrias peace talk
with diplomacy-and Austria is tired of Berlin's
diplomacy.
As was apparent several months ago. Germany's
one hope Of success was to sink foodships for Eng
land at such arate that the English by midsummer
would face actual starvation. This Germany has
failed to do. Her U-boats have shown unexpected
Possibilities hnt not SUFFICIENT to isolate the British
isles Meanwhile. the entrance of the United States
into the war has assured the financial future of
every member of the Allies; has given France new
military hope; and has put at the disposal of the
Entente powers an enormous reserve of men and
Wealth. reserve more effective than that great
Ilrisish feet lying ready to strike the Germans if
they again come out to do battle. Americas men
and Americas millions are ready to strike the Ger
mans If they are called on for action are in fact,
now beginning to hit hard.
Doubtless the German masters will make pre-
tense Of governmental reform in the hope of salts
flying the starving, sacrificing people The only per.
manent reform is that of substituting democracy
for autocracy, and this will not be accomplished
even with the abdication of the kaiser unless men
other than militarists like Won Hindenburg are
placed in power.
Macmillan Harden, the German editor; DR. Karl
Leibknecht, Socialist leader-sneh men as these
have more promise for Germany than all the gen
erals and admirals who now control her military
activities.
4 j. -.