Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-05
Neither Does Young Monarch Enjoy
Confidence of His People.
PEACE TALK IS RESUMED
Always Comes When Germany Is In
jam and She Desires to Weaken
Enemy Power.
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

struggle is concerned, and the
quadruple alliance facing eventual
dissolution because of the threat
ening internal political and eco
nonic eruptions, Germany once
more, through the medium of ex-
tensive propaganda, is ringing
peace bells, with the faint hope
that their peals may stir response
in the hearts of the enemy.
Germany has nothing to lose by
such efforts. She may, though
vainly, hope the entente powers
and the United States may heed
efforts to bring the war to a con-
clusion, but it is more than likely
the present sounding processes
are born of a desire to weaken the
efforts of the entente during the
remainder of the present year, if
not sow seeds which will bear
fruit in dissension and strife
among the allies themselves.
This story is not new. This view is
not new. But Germany shows an
amazing lack of
GERMANY Acts originality in her
When Punched. M md ~ tha
fields of battle. When Germany. is
pinched she sets in motion extensive
When all Is going well with German
arms and ambitions are being realized.
never a word of peace. Just now the
militarists Of Germany, optimistic as
they generally are, have reason for
doleful countenances when they look
over the western battlefield. dotted
gray with the bodies of their dead. and
then compare the meager amount Of
territory wrested from the allies. They
see their greatest power cannot reach
a decision favorable to them. They
know that the allies are still to strike
as the period of summer campaigning
Is yet young. They realize the allies
soon will have a marked balance Of
power insofar as soldier strength is
concerned. Undoubtedly they hold
grave apprehensions as to the future
II they are not blind to the trend Of
events.
Though the militarists of Germany
continue their blur and buster about
crushing the allies to the earth, II they
do not sweep them into the sea, 1t is
admitted in the press of Germany that
the Teuton has reason for worrying.
The situation in the realm of EN-
peror Charles IL chaotic. Internal and
political conditions are growing worse
they have been growing worse since
the war started until today the patience
of the peoples is becoming threadbare-
80 threadbare, In fact, that the spirit
OF revolt is spreading swiftly among
the millions of Slavs. Creates. Slovenes,
POLES and Czechs, racial elements which
compose the greater portion Of the dual
monarchy.
Economic conditions are extremely
bad It Is openly admitted that Aus
trfa's food stores are so precarious that
FOR the next two months the people
must resort to utmost sacrifices. Fam
Inc conditions are expected in many
quarters.
eion of Emperor Charles. though for
the moment he is
Emperor Charles surrounded by
Under Suspicion. nu.nee.' w, ,c
apparently dominate him. Emperor
Charles. in order to make it appear that
he is keeping faith with the kaiser. is
permitting the impression that Ger
many is swaying his every action to
go abroad. particularly in the direction
Of Berlin. Emperor Charles, 1t is re-
ported. has been endeavorinR to ap-
proach Italy in order to gain a sepa-
rate peace. but inasmuch as the Aus
TRAN ruler for the time being must
continue to show his alleged good faith
to Berlin. It must not be expected that
he really Is approaching Italy with the
sincere intention of bringing about an
end to the struggle. He but seeks to
undermine Italian morale. a feat which
led to the disastrous retreat from the
too well known by the Italians as a
whole for the Austrian ruler to achieve
much success In this direction. The
good faith of Emperor Charles in Ital-
Ian negotiations will remain under sus-
picion. inasmuch as the time is not ripe
for him to break away from Germany
and pursue earnest peace endeavors.
Such action would hazard his continu-
ance on the throne. for the kaiser un-
doubted1y would even defer action
against the allies that he might shortly
and sharply punish the Austrian ruler
for trying to betray Germanic pur-
poses.
The political and economic situation
in Austria causes greatest concern in
Berlin. for 1t is realized that the many
conflicting and discordant racial ele-
ments cannot much longer be held to-
sether unless some radical steps are
taken. and the Austrian emperor so
far has shown q lack Of ingenuity in
handling the many perplexing problems
arising in his realm. Instead Of appeas-
ing growing antipathies he has but
kindled them.
The Slavs. Czechs. Slovenes and Poles
have been fed on the idea Of self-defni-
ton of peoples and the establishment of
i great Slavic empire in southeastern
Europe. Once they hesitated in their
outbursts until the German and Aus
TRAN governmental promises in regard
to democratic principles were proven
to be the worst of hoaxes. These peo-
pies now know II they are to realize
their ambitions they must take matters
into their own hands. It, IL believed
that the time IApidl1 apptoaohes- when