The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1917-04-13
GERMANY'S PLIGHT
ax CARL WI. AcKERMAN

The Tribune Associatlon.)
trhe following interesting Article
was written by n newspaper man who
lived IN Germany throughout the war,
and left about the first of MarchD
Weary OF the war. depressed and
suffering. the German people are to-
day still fighting the Kaisers battles
because the Kaiser and his generals
-. are the greatest Jugglers OF humaf,
Hnture IN Europe
Va When Americans ask. How long
can Germany hold out?" | reply 'As
long as the German government can
vntisfy the vanity and stimulate the
nerves OF tho people and as long as
the people permit the government to
do the nations thinking"
How long a time that win be no one
can say. II was formerly believed that
whenever n nation reached the limit
which Germany has reached Il would
caImplc up. But Germany fails TO
crumple. Instead OF breaking up she
fights harder and more desperately
Why can she do this2 The answer Is
simple: Because tho German people
believe In their government and the
government knows that as long as IL
can convince the people that II is win
ming the war the people win fight
Germany Is today in the position OF
man onthc verge OF nervous break
down In the position OF man who is
under-nourishcd, who Is depressed. who
A weighed down by colossal burdens,
who r. broodinf over the loss OF friends
and relatives. but OF IA man who feels
fhnt his future health and happiness
depend upon his ability 20 hold out
until the crisis passes.
II physician were called IN 10 pre-
scribe for such patient his first act
would In all probability be 10 stimu-
late this mans hope. 20 make him be-
iieve that II he would only hold out
he would pass tho crisis successfully.
but no physician could say that his
patient could stand Il Tor one week. "A
month or year more The doctor
would have to gamble upon that mans
nerves. lie would have TO stimulate him
daily. perhaps hourly.
On Verge Of Breakdown.
SO u is with tho German nntIon The
country Is on tho verge OF n nervous
breakdown. Men and women. business
mon and generals. long ago lost their
patience. They are under -nourished.
They are depressed. distressed, suffei
Ing and anxious for peace. II Is as true
OF the Hamburg American Line direc-
tors as Il Is truo OF the officers at the
front
There have been more cases OF ner-
vouE breakdown among tho people
during tho last year than at any time
in Gerinany's history. There have been
% many suicides that tho newspapers
arc forbidden TO publish them. There
have been so many losses on the bat
tlcfields that every family has been
affected not once. but two. three and
four timex Dance halls have been
closed. Cafes and hotels must stop
serving meals by IL o'clock. Theaters
are presenting the most sullcn plays. |
Rumors spread like prairie fires. one |
day IIindenburg is dead. Two days la |
ter he Is alive again.
But the Kaiser has studied this war |
Iie and his ministers know |
that one thing keeps the German peo-
pie fightiDg hope OF ultimate
victory: their belief that they have
won already. The Kaiser knows. too
that n the public mind Is stimulated |
from day TO day by new victories, by |
reports OF many prisoners, OF new ter
ritory gained, OF enemy ships torpe-
dodN or by promises OF reforms after
the #nr. tho public win continue fight
Ing.
SO the Kaiser gambles from day TO
day with his peoples nerves. For two
years he has done this. and FOR two
years he has been supported by IT,
poo. .000-man- power army and a larger
army OF workers and women at home
The Kaiser believes he can gamble for
4 long time yet with his people.
Just as II IA impossible for a physl-
clan 10 say how long his patient can
be stimulated without breaking down,
~ is Il impossible for an oberver in
Germany 70 say how long II will he
before the breakup comes in Ger
many.
But what about the future? Il there
\ hottomless well OF stimulation IN
Germany.
Before these questions can be an
5wered others must be asked: Why |,
don't the German people think for
themselves? VIII they ever think for
themselves?
Nation Beginning 70 Think.
An incident which occurred in Ber-
in last December illustrates the fact
hat the people are beginning to think.
After the Allies replied TO President
peace note the Kaiser issued
IN appeal to the German people One
q was printed on the first
,ages OF all newspapers in boldface
ype. When l arrived at my office the
anitor handed me the morning Iapers
Ind pointing TO the Kaiser's letter. said:
II see the Kaiser has written US an
ther letter, You know he never wrote
rs in peace time
There are evidences. too, that oth-
RS are beginning to think. The Rus
ian revolution is going to cause many
Socialists 10 discuss the future OF Ger !
many. They have discussed II before.
ut always behind closed uoors and Z
With lowered voices. attended one {
light secret meeting of three Social
st leaders Of the Reichstag, an editor
4 Berlin paper and several business
men. What they said OF the Kaiser that
light wouh. II II were published, send
very man 70 the military firing squad. 4
,ut these men didn't dare speak that Ii
way In public at that time. Perhaps 4