The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-12-12


At sea the surrender of the Ger
mans was signaliZed last week by the
turning over to the allies of the Ger
man high seas fleet and many subma-
rineS. These vessels were met by
British warships and escorted to port,
the submarines to Harwich and the
battleships and cruisers to the Firth
of Forth. The Huns, who have never
shown good faith except under COM
pulsion, were watched with utmost
care. They were sullen and chagrined
but attempted no treachery. The ves-
sells they surrendered were dirty and
stripped of nonessentials but other
wise were in working condition.
Ia
Conditions in Germany still are
chaotic and Premier Ebert is not hav-
ing his own way by any means. He
decided that there should be con-.
stituent assembly as soon as the fran
chise lists could be made out, but the
soldiers and workmen's council at
Berlin declined this, demanding in
stead the summoning of general sol
diers' and workmen's congress lin or
der to make a decision as to the fu-
ture of Germany" The extremists
are in the great majority there and
their strength is reported to be grow
ing in many other German cities. The
Socialist government is striving In
various ways to bring to bear int1u-
ences that may mitigate the rigors OF
the armistice and peace terms. APP
peals for food continue to come, from
both Germany and Austria. IF our
stomachs are full we will behave much
better" cry the Huns. AS a matter
of fact, shiploads of food for hungry
Europe already have been dispatched
and the Germans are making agree
ments by which they will be able to
obtain food from Denmark, Argentina
and other countries. What the United
States can spare probably will not go
to them, but to more deserving suf-
ferers and even to Russia.
Considerable stir was caused by the
rumor that the former kaiser intends
to return toe Germany because his
presence in Holland was embarrass-
ing the queen and government of the
Dutch. Wilhelmina weathered the crisis
and the radical Dutch abandoned
their attempt TO force her to abdicate,
but doubtless she would be glad to get
rid of William Hohenzollern. Germany
might permit him to return, though
the danger of his becoming the CEN
ter of a reactiOnary movement is rec
ognized. However, it is to be hoped
the peace treaty will settle the future
of the deposed ruler SO that he need
never again be considered. Charles
of Austria is in better state than Will
liam, for, though he is said to be in
poverty in Vienna, neither his people
nor the allies have any serious charges
to make against him.
Ia
President Wilson has ended the
doubt as to his going to Europe by
announcing that he will attend the
opening of the peace conference,
though he probably will not remain
to preside over rs sessions or take
part in them. ae entente govern
ments seem pleased with this
decision. II nberS of the Amer
lean deleg .ad not been an
nounced VIII was written, but it
YVES believed would include for
uer President t and perhaps Sec
rotary of Agriculture Houston, as well
as Secretary of State Lansing and
Colonel House.
According to the Washington cor
respondents, the president will seek
to influence the peace conference in
five matters especially. These are:
The creation of league of nations
to enforce peace.
An agreement to reduce military
ornaments.
An agreement making freedom Of
the seas in war as in peace subject to
regulation by the league of nations.
A square deal for the German peo-
pie.
Aid for Russia.
Four of these the people probably
will willingly leave to Mr.. Wilson and
the other diplomats to settle, but the
fifth, "a square deal for the German
people," is calculated to arouse the
apprehension of many millions of peo-
pie in America and the countries of
the entente. Even if they are not de-
handing revenge they do demand that
square deal be given America, Great
Britain, France, Belgium. Italy and
the other nations that fought the cen.
trail powers and whipped them. and
that Germany and her fellow conspira-
tors get only what is left, If anything.
The governments of the allied nations
have kept from the knowledge of the