The sun., 1917-08-27
Has Michaelis Failed Already:

ms MicuSeuB foueu Ab1cSOys
Premier MICHAELIs seems to be tot
tering to fall. All parties In the
Reichstag except the Junkers oppose
him. His speech on the peace resolu-
ton is dismissed by the press as a
painful failure. The Td0ebldn de-
clares him without knowledge or in
fuence in foreign affairs and merely
an agent Of the bureaucratic autoc-
racy-which is a repetition Of the old
charge that he is the creature Of HIN
DENBUR0 and LuDENDoRFF. The NOrd-
dcutsche AHgcmcine Zcitum0 says that
"only n man with definite plans can
in these days conclude peace and
create a new order In affairs" The
Morgcn.cifnng Gays. "Dr. MIcHAEILs .
first act in the main committee has
been failure"
The appointment Of MIcHAELIs was
from the first mystery, and being
mysterious 1t obtained II greatly exag-
gerated importance In other nations.
We see now that though made at Il
critical moment In German affairs It
has not changed whit the position
Of Germany before the world.
AS n response to the appeal Of the
German people for greater measure
Of power in the Government the ap-
pointment Of MICHAELIs had high sig
nificance. 1t was the arrogant and de-
fiant No. from the throne. 1t was the
reiteration by WILHELM II. Of the
superciliOus boast Of LOUIS XIV,
"L'etat? C'est moi 1t was. evi.
IDENTIFY. the retreat Of autocracy Ito n
new position previously prepared" II
the shelving Of BETHMANN-HOLLwEG
seemed Il concession to public senti-
ment. the appointment of MIcHAELIs
was made in complete Indifference to
public sentiment.
But what material military impor-
tance has this change had? What
influence has 1t exerted upon the prog
ress of the war?
We are told that the former Chan
cellor was not in sympathy with the
aims of HINDENBURo. that he was a
moderate. inclined to listen sympa-
thetically to the German peoples cry
for peace.
That cry has never been couched In
such tones as the allied world can
listen to. nor has MIcHAELrs changed
that tone. 1t has put forward as the
very height of German magnanimity
the rule of mo annexations; no in
IDENTITIES" 1t would hand back Bel
GUM and northern France. desOlate
and laid waste by German barbarity.
without nny reparation whatsoever.
1t would restore the status quo be-
fore the war-the very conditions
which produced the war and would
inevitably cause another. 1t would
leave the Governments OF Christen-
dom bowed down by sorrow. burdened
with ruined households and crippled
men. and crushed under the weight
Of debt, while Germany, the cause Of
all, went unwhipped of justice.
There can be no sympathy among
the Allies for the sort Of peace which
the Reichstag has been discussing
The German peace" which Won HIN.
DENBURe and the Kaiser talk about
would be scarcely more intOlernblc.
But we are told that the Chan
cellor Is In accord with HINDEN.
BURG's desire for more vigorous
prosecution of the war. Shall that
dlsQuiet us? Can he discover new
sources OF men when already every
industry In Germany Is conducted by
women or impressed Belgian or
French slaves that the men may 20
to the colOrs? Can he hasten the COM
ing Of the annual classes? Already
the Germans are sending boys OF 10
and even younger to the front. Can
he relieve the increasing shortage of
cannon and munitions in view Of the
United States embargo on metals and
on all articles used in the manufac.
ture Of explosives? Can he feed his
armies with our embargo In force?
No sane person doubts that, even
In the recent period of comparative
quiet. Germany has put forth every
effort possible against her enemies.
II she has failed to take the offensive
except against disorganized Russia