Evening star., 1917-09-23

concessions have been made to the foe.
At least the reply will be SO heralded
During the past ten days the German
papers of all beliefs have been allowed
more or less freedom in paving the
way for peace discussion. The peoples
eager for any word which might indi-
cate a cessation of the struggle, un-
doubtedly were led to the belief that
much could be expected of the reply
Germany has not met allied aims in
this note to the Pope, and the govern
ment soon can turn to the reichsta 6
majority. to the pan-Germans and all
others and say. BON bastically and. with
degree of triumph:
See. Our noble emperor who con-
stantly thinks of the welfare of his
beloved people once more has by con-
cessions sought to bring about an end
of this terrible struggle. which he is
waging In defense of our dear father
land. He magnanimously has forsake n
some OF our cherished dreams in order
that he. with the aid Of the Divine
Being. may bring about an era of bet
ter things. AS in past his tenders have
been spurned by our enemies. who in
thunderous fashion demand the life's
blood of our very nation. We shall
fight on. with Divine guidance and i'm
perishable purpose, and with unfiag
gins zeal we shall conquer"
In some such appeal an attempt un-
doubtedly will be made to solidify
the conflicting
Hoped to Unite lines of public
Conflicting Camps. ho,s,er nv ,ha
belief of the German people that they
must fight on, forgetting all internal
disturbances. that attention may be di-
rected on the common enemy.
Knowing beforehand that the Ger
man reply would be chimerical. natur-
ally entente capitals now possibly are
most concerned as to the degree OF
success of the militarist regime of Ger
many will have in drowning out the
demands for change of things and in
combating the broups who through
their constant alertness in the reichs-
tag threaten to lead Germany to COM
plete characterization at the expense of
the present bureaucratic and monar-
chial forms.
Advices from Berlin indicate that the
socialists. liberals and Catholic center
lists are in constant conference, and are
bringing great pressure to bear on the
government to bring about new condi.
tions. deemed by them. imperative tc
the life and well being of the nation
There are signs that the reichstas
majority, which is arrayed against the
pan-Germans. will explode the German
peace bluff and will demand that its
program Of characterization and peace
principles shall eventually be adopted
even should this majority group be
forced to go to the length of refusing to
| sanction new German credits which are
to be asked this fall The majority also
is holding the threat of genera
strike over the head of the kaiser
Naturally the government is striving
diligently to gain some sort of contro
! over the situation. a control that will
lat least insure present monarchia
forms. The immediate future of Ger
many is extremely problematical
There can no longer be any question
les to the critical economic situation II
Germany. There have been numerous
food riots in various cities during thu
past ten days. and 1t is officially admit
ted in Berlin that there will be q
scarcity Of foods and coal. The farm.
ers of Germany are growing restiv,
under increased governmental supervi