Middletown transcript., 1917-09-08
HARD BLOW TO
GERMAN AUT0CRACY
Hope That Spirit of Revolt May
Develop.
1T IS GERMANY'S NEXT MOVE
Entente Governments Unprepared For
Such Quick Acknowledgements
Of Approval Pour Into the
White House.

Washington = Discussion Of Presi-
dent Wilson's rejection of the Pope's
proposals in diplomatic circles reveal
ed that even some of the Entente gov
ernments were unprepared for the
prompt fashion in which the President
disposed of a matter of such tremend-
Gus importance.
1t was realized, however, by the En-
tente representatives in Washington
that President Wilson must have had
some good and sufficient reason for
acting so quickly. Speculation ascrlbes
the motive to a desire to impress
favorably the great Russian conven-
ton at Moscow while that body is still
in a plastic and receptive state.
While the Germans may wage war
with added desperation because OF the
sweeping Indictment of their methods,
it is confidently believed here that the
spirit of revolt will develop steadily
and rapidly among the people in Ger
many, bringing nearer the day when
they will assert themselves to the
point where President Wilson may
feel safe in listening to peace over
lures, in the conviction that they are
from German people themselves and
not from the overlords and military
despots.
President Wilson realizes the force
of the objection that has come from
some quarters to what might be re-
garded as a disposition on his part TO
impose a form of government on Ger
many. 1t can be stated that Dothing
was farther from his though, than
such a disposition. He mean' just
what he said in the note-that the
word of the present autocratic rulers
of Germany cannot be taken for any
thing that is to endure unless sup
ported by the will of the people them
selves. AS to whether Germany has
an imperial or a republican for11 OF
government, it is conceded that The
remainder of the world has nothing
TO do with the question.
The struggle for parliamentary re-
form is being watched with the Keen
est interest. and while it was laid at
the State Department that no official
advices are as yet at hand regarding
the developments. 1t would not be
matter of surprise if there We're some
sudden and important manifestations
of the popular will in Germany. Signs
of such an outcome are found in the
halfway efforts of Premier Michaells
to meet the demands of the Reichstag
committees by his projected cabinet
representative of the more powerful
political parties in Germany.
Telegrams from all parts of the
country poured into the White House,
approving President Wilson'S course.
1t met with appreciation at the Rus
sian Embassy.
"The reply of the United States to
the Pope's peace note" it was said at
the embassy, seems to us Russians to
be an act of highest political wisdom
and closely corresponds to the prin-
ciples and aims of the Russian people
as formulated in the declarations OF
the Russian Provincial Government.
Militarism and the imperialistic aims
of the German rule have received a
new and powerful blow"
Upon motion of Senator Brady, who
characterized it as last farewell to
the autocracy of the world, the Presi-
dents reply was ordered printed in the
| Congressional Record.