The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-10-09
AN OFFER OF
PEACE Is COMING
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uibmentous. 1t would be in effect
demand by the reichstag for the
establishment of a democratic minis
try responsible to the elected repre-
sentatiyes of the people!
Indications thus are beginning to
point to dawning realization in the
reichstag that the kaiser is continu-
ing the war for the purpose OF try
ing to save all he can of his auto
cratic power When this conviction
becomes sufficiently strong in Ger
many, the Hohenzollerns will be
forced to eliminate themselves from
any part in the future government OF
the empire they have brought SO
near to ruin.
At the same time. by no possibility
can the reichstag be left to do this
work of characterization alone. The
major part of the work must be done
by the armies of the allies and in
particular by the military efforts of
the United States. kaiserism can
resist the reichstag if it can bring
home a victory, or even a draw.
The reichstag's democratic am bition
can be developed only if America
the longer the war continued the
more disastrous will be the result for
German autocracy. When that propo-
sition becomes wholly self-evident to
Germany, the Hohenzollern effort to
sacrifice the German empire to the
Hohenzollern family pride will be
brought to an end.
Reich. tar Pcace Restored
lBy John Grandens, United Press
Staff Correspondent
BERLIN, oct. S.-(via London, Oct.
S.)--Prompt disayowal by Chancellor
Michaelis Of any of the propaganda
favorjng any political party. apparent
ly restored peace between the reich
stag and the cabinet today.
Michaelis made his pledge before
the main committee of the reichstag.,
His disapproval OF political party
propaganda was directed especially at
the fatherland party. fostered by
Grand Admiral Won Tirpitz. The chan
cellor also promised immediate re-
dress for any affronts and deplored
the whole controversy. He concluded
his speech with warm appeal for
cooperation of all factions
Leaders had not regarded the sit
nation as a serious political crisis,
but nevertheless it was stated that the
chancellor's prompt disavowal had
averted some heated debate in the
reichstag.
Today it was stated both wings of
the socialist party had voted disapprox-
al of the attitude maintained Saturday
by Vice Chancellor Helfferich in re.
fusing replies to interpretations.
THE peace reported by Chancellor
Michaelis as detailed above was on
another political squabble than that
which is pending today in the reich
stag, according to Amsterdam reports
to the United Press detailing events in
berlin of n later date than Granden's
dispatch.l
No Time to Talk Peace.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9--Berlin's
reported new peace maneuver was
regarded by officials here today just
as all her previous feelers-designed
TO save her present holdings before
the crash comes and to discourage
Americas war preparations.
At the state department it was re-
peated that President Wilson's pro-
nouncement on peace still stands;
there can be no negotiations with
the Teutons while Hohenzollern
autocracy exists. No faith is placed
by government officials here in any
German proffer, especially in light Of
recent revelations of how Germany
engineers her peace moves.
The slight official interest mani
tested here in the Berlin Tages lei
tung report. was in the fact that the
offer, if true, carries much greater
concessions than the Teutons have
heretofore made The new conces-
Gions may result from the smashing
the Germans received in Flanders
lately and their admitted shortage in
men.
All officials here discourage any
peace talk at this time. Only yester-
day President Wilson pointed out
that such discussion hampers war
work The nation is now well along
toward war and peace talk emanates
only from German sources, say Off
cials. Germany is anxious to avoid
further fighting and is desperately
trying to keep a grasp on her present
holdings before the full force Of
American arms is felt in the struggle
American NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Will
son and his cabinet-know that we
are facing at least another year Of
war and possibly two" one allied
diplomat said. "To win the war and
break the Prussian military machine,
America must continue it's mobiliza-
ton and preparations. Constant
peace talk binders this program"
Germany's peace talk also serves