Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-25
What Is Happening in Germany?

LOW much of the mutiny in the German
navy is political and how much is pure
rebellion we do not know, and may not knew
for long time, but it is certain that meas
ure of unrest mixed with uneasness prevails
i'll the armed forces of enemy. One day
we hear of it from Wilhelmshaven, another
day from n German submarine base in Austria
and still again from Ostend 1t is impossible
that all these stories could have been manu-
featured or that the uprisngs could have
been made to order for the sole purpose of
silencing Chancellor Mchaelis's parliamentary
enemies.
True, the present regime in Berlin seized
upon the first outbreak in the navy in the
hope of putting the German Socialists in the
Reichstag upon the defensive. The govern
ment charged directly that Socialist members
inspired the mutiny, and, therefore, were as
guilty of hostility to the Fatherland as were
the sailors themselves. This has resulted in
bareback. Members of the Socialist party
have combined with other opponents of the
Chancellor in the Reichstag for the head Of
Michaelis, refusing to vote for further credits
until new Chancellor is named All this
Juror conferred about the mutiny at Wilhelms-
haven. This first disorder may haye been
engineered in order to bring about the dis
may OF the Socialists, but it is not belieyable
that second coup would have been under
taken in the same fashion after the wretched
results of the first were realized. 1t is far
more likely that the trouble experienced by
the Germans in Austria and again at Ostend
has its origin in widespread discomfort in the
armed forces Of the empire. Until now Ger
many has maintained iron discipline In both
her army and navy The extent OF this has
been one OF tho wonders of this war. Mil
lions of German men have abandoned all they
had upon earth to answer the call of q gov.
eminent in which they have no voice, and
to fight for Il cause which their rulers dared
not define to them. Hundreds Of thousands
of these men have been killed. Many other
hundreds of thousands have hecn disabled
for life. AS many more have been taken
prisoner. Meantime their women have been
left at home to grub like slaves to keep from
starving.
In vague way these millions of Germans
understood that they were expected to con-
quer the world, their nation, thereafter to
be the overload Of all civilized peoples But
it must have become evident to those OF them
who have any intelligence whatever that this
Wild dream of conquest had long ago van
ished. And yet the German armies have con-
tinued fighting and the German government
has continued to maintain its mastery over
its men.
But rovolts contagious Once thew he
gin they arc reasonably sure to spread Once
few men dare to defy authority, it almost
always follows that there are others less cour-
ageous who are willing to be led We have
often witnessed this in the case of mobs
Leadcrless, they are like SO many noisy chill
dren, but with men to guide them, they be-
come blind to danger and throw themselves
against the law with the utmost abandon.
It's not too much to expect that soon or late
the whole German people will demand a
nearing from their government that may do
more toward peace than all the armies which
may operate against them