The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-16
Gives Hindenburg Free Hand
! To Annex on West.
While ~NO Annexation" Policy
: Applies to East Front.
HOFFMAN UPSET PEACE MEET
ArrogantIy Declares He Repre-
sents No Govt but Army.
n Midst of Hot Discussion
Czernim AdiOurns Session.
BY j. W. T. MASON.

2 Kew York. Jan. 16.-Indications are
accommodating that the Kaiser is taking
q middle-of- the-road position during
the present political crisis in Germany
and for the first time is preparing to
setreat from full reliance upon the
1nilitaristic policy of Won Hindenburg
and Won Ludendorff
The kaiser is apparently dissatisfied
With the anneSationist demands of his
generals, but he does not feel himself
gtrong enough to force an open break
because he win not accept the de-
1lands of German radicals for the
characterization of Germany The kais-
en-. in fact, is now struggling to save as
much of his power as possible, and
Is in danger of becoming politically
Isolated.
/ 1t was the insistence of the linden
burg Lude ndorff militarists that forced
the German government to adopt the
policy of indiscriminate summarizing
Hrhich drove America into the war.
Nobody can now affirm in Germany
tllat the few American vessels which
have been sunk compensate in any de-
gree for the active belligerency of the
United States. No blupder in di-
pIomacy committed by any nation
since the war began can compare with
the amazing error of the Hindenburg-
Ludendorff camarllla IN drawing
america into the war.
Dare Not Challenge Hindenburg.
1t is inevitable that the kaiser must
now realize this obvious fact. At the
same time he must regard with a sink
ing heart the present efforts of the
Extreme militarists to dictate Ger
Inany's diplomatic policy in dealing
with Russia. But, to exercise his
tights as supreme war lord and chal-
an l,UdRn-
dorffs authority without simultane-
ously conciliating the German radicals
might result in the kaiser's overthrow.
So, for the moment, the kaiser is now
attempting a compromise.
4 The report from Berlin that Chan-
eelfor Won Hortling is to be given
free hand in eastern troubles, while
the Hindenbf. rg-Ludendorff clique is
allowed full liberty in the west must
be accepted with reserve. 1t is inn
possible for the German militarists to
negotiate differentiation in the west,
Because Germanys western enemies
Are the ones that control Germanys
Colonies and also control the seas
Diplomatic negotiations are more I'M
berative for Germany in the west than
IN the east
: Amsterdam, Jan. 16.-The Lokal
Anzeiger announced today settlement
of.the political crisis in Germany by
when 'ChanCellof I1eItlliS VIC"
point is to he maintained on the east
and Hindenburg is to be given a free
flbnd, in the event of a German vic
tbry, to deal with any possible an
Mentions on the west 'front.'"
"a The agreement" apparently means
that Hertling's plans for a mo annex
ations" policy toward Russia are to be
carried out on the northern and east
6Fn fronts and the pane German, mill
C. rist policy of territorial aggrandize-
ment is to rule as to France and Bel
GUM.
= The pan Germans have persistently
Maintained that Germany must never
Surrender the valuable iron section of
France and Belgium.