Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-15


play OF entering the war at this late
stage strong foreign policy backed
by aolid national support would be
necessary.
Curious paradoxes add their willy
ertsscrossing to the tremendous diff
$cutties that confront the shapcrs OF
{ the German nations fate. In casting
about for a new Foreign Secretary
one that would suit the political die
tators In their thirst for moderation
and democracy-Count Johann Helm
rich Won Bernstorff was hit upon. But
( strong as his following Is. his foes are
many and mighty.
SHREwDEST GAME PLAYED
~ THE CROWN PRINCE
81 In this connection II seems to some
that the shrewdest game in the Ger
man capital the last few days was
played by the crown prince. His hand
lis still clcverly hidden. But his first
and foremost aim has been achieved
tho topping of Bethmann- Hollweg.
II war to the finish be the guiding
motive behind his Vaccinations. the
chances for Bernstorf arc slim, and
DIR. Michaelis will be a tigurehead
There are those, however. who profess
to have close hand knowledge that the
German throne heir, democratically in
clined as he always has been. has
! learned to despise war by the horrors
Of It. and is ambitious TO play strong
hand In bringing about peace. provided
1t leaves Germany strong and intact
Rumors OF the widest sort revcled
to-day in throwing bombshells into
the points OF observation in the neu-
trail nations contiguous to Germany.
From Amsterdam, Basel. Zurich, &C.
neva and Copenhagen came one sensa-
tional report after another. denied re-
vived and denied again in equally
quick succession. About noon the
whole world was startled by the news
that the Kaiser. together with the
crown prince and his four other sons
had renowned all rights to the crown
IN favor Of the Emperor's youngest son,
Joachim.
Thousands OF kroncrs. francs. shi-
ungs and, perhaps. dollars were turn
ed over on the world stock markets on
the strength OF this report. But to-
night the Kaiser still sat firmly upon
his throne. though his surroundings
were considerably changed. and are
still changing In the great kaleido-
scope of democracy's grapplc with
Junkerism There was every indication
tonight that the monarch. by his
alert handling Of the situation, bowling
to his people, rendered his position
morally even stronger than 1t was
week ago. But from his crstwhile
devoted supporters comes n threaten
! ing growl which may find ominous
echo in the army, unless the new re-
gime is promptly consolidated. and the
military high command Is left unim-
paired in It's authority. There was
little news from Vienna to-day. Tho
internal situation in the Hapsburg dual
monarchy Is known to be far moro
grave than that in Germany. but II
has not yet developed into n national
crisis. Now that the reform move
ment is sweeping ahead in the Kali
sers realm, the agitation of Emperor
Charles and his Foreign Secretary
Count Czerin. Is likely to turn out 4
boomerang. Once the Austrian anu
Hungarian parties have Embossed their
long-suppresscd bclligerency, there Is
no end OF internal trouble in sight, OBJ
servers here believe, especially now
lat, the Galician capital is once more
seriously menaccd.
Religion appears to play a powerful
part in the Tcutonic upheaval. IN
some quarters 1t is limited Pope Bene-
dict has n hand in it. The fact is that
the Austrian and German Catholic
parties arc working in close harmony.