New-York tribune., 1917-12-27
Iron Fists and Wooden
Heads \
AN Editorial from The Erening POs)

AN Editorial from 1be Erehlhg fO5D
The Kaiser was expected 20 hold out an
olive branch on Christina, Day. Instead, ho
threw a brickbat. His speech to the Second
Army may have contained good deal OF
military truth, but it was marked By polit-
cal folly. Such an utterance ~ such time
shows in him an infinite capacity for blum
dering The world was looking for at least
a pretencc Of conciliation and moderate
views. but it only saw the Kaiser in one OF
his most insensate and frenzied moods. For
him 90 talk now like man a bit touched
in the head-to shout about bringing peace
20 the world by the process of "battering
in with the iron fist and shining sword the
doors Of those who will not have peace
is about the worst disseryicc to Germany
herself that could be imagined. The Kaiser's
language is not wholly 20 be explained By
the vicious German rhetoric to which he so
easily falls victim. Vicious ideas, most
intolerabIe TO the modern world, lurk be-
hind his words lie betrays a total mis-
conception of the whole war situation, and
confirms the view OF him as a ruler united
Tor mis- work.
ne ldlls 70 pfECtlFt, Appht Shslg, 1haI SUI"
an outcry as his just at this time is worth
five army corps 20 his enemies. For the
Kaiser intensifes the elements which are
strongest in the spirit OF resistance to his
dominating ambitions lie has not learned
that the world cannot be terrorized into
submission. There arc heroisms and tenaci-
ties and endurances in the soul OF man that
mere frightfulness can never subdue. The
Kaiser speaks of terrifying the nations into
subicction to his will. If they do not yield
he win overrun them with fire and sword.
But does ne not see how he is in the act
Of steeing every heart 70 defy and with
stand him to the uttermost? All that ma
ton hath il is seemingly the haiser's credo,
will it give for its life. Not so. II is true
neither Of nation nor OF the individual
man that base existence under monstrous
tyranny is preferable TO the sacrifice Of every
thing in fighting it. Who would wish 20 live
in a world ground under the heel OF the
Kaiser's military boot? Who would not
starve. and see his children starve, rather
than live in constant terror Of the iron fist
and the shining sword Of the Prussian
military caste?
II is in reviving and cnergizing everywhere
among the enemies Of Germany such indig-
nant thoughts rs these that the Kaiser's in
credible arroghnce appears incredible stu
pidity. His proud summons 10 surrender
will really act like trumpet call to strong
er efforts and larger sacrifices. The cry will
he that there must not be an instant's re-
laxing tension against a Bourbonish auto
crat like the Kaiser. To tighten the block
ade Of Germany, TO rally every man and
bring up every gun against the Kaser's
hosts, TO pour cut tho full money resources
OF the countries at war with him--all this
will inevitably be the first and firm reply
20 the Kaiser's Christmas Day threats. II
is said that they were designed for "home
consumption" TO hearten the German peo-
pie in the midst Of their unparalleled pri-
vations. But sensible Germans, including
the civilians in the government, must be
appalled, rs they think Of the effect abroad.
What is the use of boasting Of German mill
tary successes when each one means an ac-
cess Of hatred for Germany? II German
arms leave trail Of loathing wherever they
go. what advantage in carrying them into
additional ravaged territory? And what pos
sible hope is there now OF intimidstinS
world which has for three years withstood
the worst that German ruthlessncss could
devise? To all the Kaiser's empty threats
about his shining sword civilization responds
by gripping harder its own sword.
All this is so plain even to the wayfaring
man that the kaiser's roaring imprudence
sounds like one of his old displays of the
folie dc grandeur. We arc convinced that
il will dcpress, rather than encourage, the
German people. They know what their ac-
tual plight is. They can reckon up the odds
against Germany. By this time they have
ceased to believe in military decision"
of the war. Year after year they have been
fed on German victories, but with the ulti-
mate victory never coming. They see moth
ing for II, If the struggle goes on, but slow
exhaustion. Hence the rising hope in Ger
many for an agreed peace on moderate
terms. Yet now comes the ksiser's inn
moderate boasts and threats and fool fury!
These may represent only temporary aber-
ration of his, only an upset OF his mental
balance such as used TO alarm sober Ger
many. But steps will have to be taken to
undo the mischief. The German goveuh-
ment is seeking negotiations for peace. But
there can be no negotiation with lunatic
waving n sword. His own Chancellor. his
own Foreign Minister, his own Reichstsg
will have TO restrain or disavow him if they
wish to persuade tho outside world that it
may distinguish between Germany and her
madcsp Kaiser.