Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-30
IMPRESS RUSSIANS
Continued from Page One)

tria, is awaited with interest Bit
ter attacks upon the American note
by the German press and possibly
condemnatory speeches by German Of
fcials are fully expected when the
Presidents reply is finally allowed to
leak through the ceiSors to the Ger
man public. But for the present at
least no further attempts at peace ne
gotiationS on the old basis, involv-
ing a continuance in power of the
present autocratic German regime are
anticipated.
While the Germans may wage war with
added desperation because of the sweep
ing indictment of their methods, il is con
fdently believed here the spirit of revolt
will develop steadily and rapidly among
the people in Germany. bringing nearer
the day when they will assert themselves
feel safe in listening to peace overtures
in the conviction that they are from the
German people themselves and not from
the overlords and military despots.
President Wilson realizes the forces Of
the objection that has come from some
quarters to what might be regarded as
a disposition on his part to impose a
form Of government on Germany. 1t can
be stated that nothing was further from
his thought than such a disposition. He
meant just what he said in the note that
the word Of the present autocratic rulers
Of Germany cannot be taken for anything
that is to endure unless supported by the
will of the people themselves. AS TO
whether Germany has an imperial or a
republican form OF government. It is con-
coded that the remainder Of tho world
has nothing to do.
Watch German Struggle
The struggle for parliamentary reform
Is being watched with the keenest inter-
est. and while it was said at the state
department today that no official advices
are as yet at hand regarding the devel-
opments. 1t would not be a matter of sur
prise If there were some sudden and i'm
portant manifestations Of the popular will
In Germany. Signs Of such an outcome
are found in the halfway efforts of Pre-
mer Michaelis to meet the demands Of
the Reichstag committees by his project
ed cabinet representative OF the more
powerful political parties In Germany
certainly a long step toward parliament
airy control Of the government
German Policies Weaken
The German-Argentine negotiations, in
sincere and hollow as they are believed
to be on the part Of Germany. are viewed
ofically here as another evidence OF the
weakening Of Germany's aggressive poll
cies and, to that extent. perhaps design
ed to molify the United States govern
ment as well as neutral maritime nations
and so to afford a fresh basis for peace
negotiations.
When the response to Pope Benedict's
proposals will go forward from the allied
governments is unknown to the state de-
partment. which is yet without official in
formation that its own conmunica ton
has reached the Vatican.
Approval of the Presidents note was
expressed generally at the capital today
by members Of all parties. There was no
discussion Of it on the floor Of either
house. although Senator Stone touched
upon the subject of peace In a speech
denouncing newspapers for attacking
him. He said he never had intended In
PRODUCING a peace resolution as some Of
his critics had stated.