The sun., 1917-07-16

first commoner Chancellor, DR.. Georg
Michaelis, a bureaucrat without even
a noble won" before his name, as
yet has given no indication of his
policy regarding reform and peace.
Neither the Conservatives nor the
Liberals have ventured TO call him
their own.
The Chancellor's first step, which
might be interpreted as an indication
of an open mind, was to receive rep
resentatives of the two divergent
groups in the Reichstag and permit
them to explain their respective stand
points, the Chancellor playing the role
of listener to the conversations con-
Quoted by the Vice. Chancellor, DR..
Karl Helfferich, and the Reichstag
representatives.
To Restore Harmony.
The German papers unite in characters
iIations OF his energy and fair minded
ness. but are most reserved in their pre-
dictions OF his probable policy. The
papers aligned for the so-called German
peace are perhaps a shade more enthu-
under the new regime than the radical
and Socialist organs.
The Cologne POlkS Zeitun0, the Cath
ole organ of pan-German sympathies
says that DR.. MiChaells undoubtedly
stands nearer the Right than the Left
parties. The line OF the comment eyi-
IDENTIFY emanating from Wnhelmstrasse
Is that the new Chancellor regards as
his mission the restoration OF the in
hnV 49, e.
policy may be adopted. No matter what
else may result, the change will un-
douotedly mean the disappearance OF the
Won Bethmann- -Hollweg peace pro-
gramme,
Dr. Won Bethmann-H Holweg's policy
regarding the ultimate aims OF the war
from the beginning had been a personal
one in which "the Chancellor above the
parties" had formed programme above
parliamentary parties, the military au-
thorities and the Emperor alike, and he
endeaVored by gentle, steady pressure
and suggestion to impose it upon a
changeful sovereign oscillating between
vstas of brilliant ambition and realiza-
tions OF cold facts, upon the puissant
military caste represented by Field Mar
shall Won Hindenburg and Gen. Luden-
dorm and laundering, unbrilliant par
lament.
ReslRnatiOns Forced.
The appointment OF DR.. Michaelis un-
doubtedly means "A new deal OF the
cards. Berlin papers published before
the appointment was known throw fur
ther light upon the circumstances of
Won Bethmann-H -Hollweg's retirement.
They show that the Emperor was con-
fronted by the necessity OF dropping the
Imperial Chancellor or virtually the en-
tire Prussian Cabinet, the members OF
which, including the War Minister, Gen.
Won Stein, a soldier, not a politician.
submitted their designations, declaring
that they could not remain If Won Beth
mann Hollweg was retained.
The Bavarian Premier, Count Won
Hertling, who favored peace proposals
but refused fatty to accept the idea of
parliamentary Ministry, which would
diminish Bavaria's special influence
with the Government, seems to have
thrown himself into the struggle against
Won Bethmann- Hollweg at the last min
ute, The Bavarian Centrist members OF
the Reichstag started an anti-Von Beth
mann Hollweg revolt within the party,
and the Crown Prince made valid his
long standing objections to the Imperial
Chancellor.
Sought TO Shunt Peace,
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg and
Gen, Ludendorff again were summoned
to Berlin, not TO interfere, according to
the unanimous accounts in the Berlin
papers, In the political side of the situ-
| alton, but to sidetrack the proposed
peace resolution by encouraging reports
OF the military situation and to inspire
the members OF the Relchstag with be-
lief in the possibility of obtaining that
German peace worthy OF the sacrifices
made" to which Won Hindenburg over
and over again had committed himself
In his published replies To the memorials =
OF pan-German organizations.
Before the selection OF DIR. Michaelis
became known the papers generally
| agreed that Won Bethmann-H II Hoilweg :
retirement would be accompanied by
sweeping changes in the Imperial and
I Prussian administrations The feeling
was general that a large part OF tho
| Secretaries of State and Ministers who
had been in office since and before thu
war and had exhausted their efficiency