The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-05-07

CoPENHAGEN, May 6.--All is appar
emily not easy sailing for the German
military authorities in their efforts to
convince the people at home that every
thing is going we'll on the western front
The German military critics occasion
ally refer in their articles to letters of
criticism from readers on this or that
feature Of the war reports. indicating
rot only an unw!llingness to take the
official bulletins and the dispatches of
the war correspondents at their face
value but also that the number of
doubling Thomases Is large
\ few weeks ago. as is evident from
Vosstsche Zcitnno and by other writer's
laboriously replying to n food of critical
letters, there was displayed an inability
to see 4 great victory in Won Hnden-
burg's strategic retirement.
And now writer in the Dentsche
Tdges Zeitung says that many good
patriot is struck by the discrepancy be-
tween the German and the fore!gh re-
ports and is showing a hesitation to ac-
cept the German figures of the number
Of enemy airplanes destroyed
Allies Attacks SurprisinR.
Another point now made. rs during
the Somme offensive. is the refusal of the
British and French to discontinue attack
ing. despite the often reiterated official
/ Ia ,io bat ha nff al ~,
has broken down in defeat. These were
accompanied last year by calculations to
show that Germany's opponents had ex-
hausted their last reserves. but the state
ments were subjected to such repeated
revision that this year more sparng
use Is made of the argument.
A feature of the war in recent days
has been the steady extension OF the
appeal to public sentiment on the part OF
the military. The attitude at the outset
was that the public was entitled to no
! information. and that the less news pub
lished. even in the official bulletins. the
better. This, however. has Yielded IL
recognition that without popular senti-
ment behind 1t the conduct OF a success
: fui var ls impossible.
The military authorities themselves
/ established for this years campaign
/ big organization 20 supply the press viii
popularity written discussions and de
scriptions Of military events to supple
ment the official bulletins and the des
patches OF tho war correspondents. ]
! seems probable that the army's Off
cial bulletins. despite the numbers tina
regard them sceptcally. still hold tn
confidence OF the general public.
Amendm to Constitutions.
Further amendments to the Impera
Constitution have been accepted by th'
Constitution Committee Of the Rechs
tag. NV in session In Berlin. cnectnt
3 appo!ntmeNts of officers IN the German
army and navy.
The proposals were adopted agails
the votes of the Conservatives. VIII
asked why NJ this moment when Ger
man officers lad most brilliantly stoo
the test Of war, alteration should b
made in the principles under which the
hitherto had been appointed.
A progressive member pointed out tina
| by the new regulations the War Minis
ters of the States would became respon
sible to the Reichstag. but he declare
there was no question OF establishing
Parliamentary army or undermining AL
thorty
Big Problem Is belgium.
In the discussion in the Rcichstag q
the Belgian situation an indication tina
the Governments solution OF the prob
lem Is based on the setting up OF
Flemish state as n counter weight to III
French speaking Walloon State wa
given 5v thn general criticism os .h
Belgian deportations On all. sides. cN
ccpt OF that OF the Conservatives. o
the ground that these would only tend =,
ALLEVIATE tle Flemish. whose friendshi
was being cultivated.
Tho Socialists spoke against the ider
declaring that tho proclamation O.
Kingdom of Flanders would bn the grea,
est possible mistake
4 Cologne Gazette despatch formal
stamps the present Conservative pan
German agitation as n campaign ,
oust Won Bethmann-Hollweg from III
Chanc !lorship. The Conservative prcs
and the speakers OF that party are da II
becoming more OutspOken IN their dc
, mands for war Of fopse and with
strong hand" The newspaper ndds:
THE impending resignation of
} number OF provincial presidents and IN n
councillors. important administrative
officials in the Prussian system, VII
hitherto often took the oath Of oti,c
, rather TO the Conservative party .ha
, TO the Berlin administration. Is anothe
, sign Of the Conservative revolt The
/. resign apparently less because the Go,
D ernment will assent to the movement
Z the Interest Of reforms than because III
! nficiala will not assent to N