The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1918-02-15
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS

Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
Copyright, 1918, by the United Press)
ZURICH, Switzerland, Feb. 11.-An
ominous unrest is growing daily
throughout the central empires.
Germany and Austria must have
peace or go under. The people of
both countries demand it.
If the allies stand pat on the Will
sonian program and make stone wall
of the western front, the end Of the
war is in sight.
This sums up the situation as seen
from mere at this time.
1t doesn't mean that Germany is on
the brink of revolution. But it does
mean the people are tired of war and
opposed to the Pan-German policy of
conquest. They are angry over the
privations at home and the loss of
menfolk at the front. At the same
time, they believe President Wilson is
sincere in his statement of war aims.
There is no doubt but that the Ger
man masses are beginning to see the
light Only the diplomatic blunders
of the allies have kept them bound to
the war policy this long.
For instance, Philip Scheidemann
eighteen months ago predicted some
thing little short of revolution I'M
less the Junkers changed their tone.
Shortly after this the allies published
an intimation the war would not stop
until the central powers were dis
rupted.
Whereupon Scheidemann and his
followers automatically aligned them
selves with. the government. Like
rats in corner they meant to fight.
Judging from what every one fresh
from Germany is saying, the allies
are now on the right track, in that
they will only continue the war until
the German war party gives UP its am
! billions for world conquest, when
they are ready to make an equitable
peace-not until then, they will fight
relentles3ly.
| Today the masses in Germany and
Austria are in a mood to listen to rea-
son.
From the most dependable sources
! / have learned that domestic condi-
lions in both countries are appalling.
| Austria is threatened with disrup-
ton. Long professions of women and
children are common, marching
ing through the streets of the cities,
demanding bread.
The recent strikes broke out spon.
taneously because the people desire
peace and are hungry.
Illness is rampant. The death rate
is steadily mounting.
Deaths from consumption alone are
sometimes higher than the birth rate.
A strange malady popularity called
the dread disease" is taking off null
| titudes.
The coal shortage is severe. There
are many deaths from the cold.
Milk is impossible to procure, even
for the babies.
| h,rtf oil
fats.
The rich still live well, securing
their wants by bribery and stupen-
dous prices, or by sending their fam
lilies to neutral countries.
But the masses are suffering hor-
ribly despite plenty of work and high
wages. Even when they manage to
fill their stomachs the quality is so
poor, and their constitutions are so
weak, the slightest malady takes them
off in fifty.
The crime wave is sweeping the
country. People are robbed on the
streets in broad daylight. Discomfort
is rife.
In the meantime, two parties are
struggling for mastery. One is the
small powerful plutocratic war party,
which. clearly seeing disaster ahead,
is attempting to bull-bait the masses
to point where they will support
unprecedented losses in a terrific at
tempt TO drive through the Franco
/ British lines.
The other is the peoples party, I'M
organized but to which ninety per-
cent of the population at heart belong.
They oppose another big offensive
and call for Cancellation and peace
claiming even the capture of Paris
and Calais. were this possible, would
not end the war but would, on the
contrary. prolong it.