Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-12-20

While the allied nations, generally
agreeing that the former kaiser and
his fellow conspirators must be
brought to trial for their crimes, are
discussing ways and means of bring
ing this about, William H~ohenzollern
Is preparing to resist %extradition from
Holland, and is getting ready his de-
Tense in case Wilhelmina's govern
ment does give him up. The Dutch
premier declares the former emperor
Is entitled to the right of sanctuary in
Holland, and is not interned, since he
went there as a private citizen after
renouncing his throne, and that his
return to Germany cannot be legally
demanded. In taking this position,
he asserts, Holland is not unneutral
but is observing the law and treaties.
An unconfirmed report came across
that William attempted suicide, and
other stories have him quite i'll.
Premier Ebert, who may not become
the first president of the German re-
public, appears to be gaining the up
per hand, though slowly and with diff
ficulty. Doctor Liebknecht and his
Spartacus group have been badly
worsted in several elections for mem
bers of the soldiers and workmen's
council, and his advertised revolution
resulted only in a series of rather
bloody riots in Berlin and some other
cities. There are other elements,
however, that enter into the compli-
Gated situation, notably the Prussian
Guard and other still intact bodies of
troops that refuse to disarm and join
intellectually with the socialists
when they return from the from
This, in the opinion Of some Germans,
portends a counter-revolution, pre-
sumably for the restoration of the
monarchy and a nucleus for such a
movement has been provided by Prince
Henry Of Prussia, brother of the for
mer kaiser, who has proclaimed he
establishment of a royalist party in
Germany. For the present the Prus-
sian Guard is supporting Ebert.
The executive committee of the sol
diers and workmen's council invited
Russian bolshevists to Berlin to
take part in a conference on Deem
Der 16, but the cabinet has asked the
Russian government not to send these
delegates, because of the present
situation In Germany" The cabinet
was much disturbed by the rash boast
ing of Joffe, bolshevist ambassador
to Germany, that several of the min
listers were actively seconding his
plan to Introduce Russian methods
into Germany.
The anxiety of the German people.
is greatly increased by the belief that
the allies will not conclude a peace
until q stable form of government Is
established, and that their chances of
getting food from their conquerors are
very slim while disorder rules in their
land. In order to give the Ebert gov
eminent a parliamentary basis the
relchstag probably will be convened
soon. Incidentally, Ebert has got I'd
of Doctor Solf, who has resigned as
minister of foreign affairs.
-M-
President Wilson was vociferously
welcomed when he landed at Brest
Friday. His journey to Paris was a
triumphal progress. and at the cap
ital he was wildly acclaimed. The
welcome he received from the civil
and military chiefs of France was
most f1attering. 1t was announced
that his official" visit in Paris would
last only 48 hours, after which he
would settle down to the serious bust
ness that has taken him overseas.
The French socialists are taking
every advantage of Mr.. Wilson's pres
ence in France, and among those who
greeted him was a large delegation of
the socialist members of the chamber
of deputies. The French general la
Dor federation has caused meetings of
workmen to be held throughout the
country to adopt resolutions offering
President Wilson their help ito bring
about a triumph for his conception of
a peoples peace"
It is announced that the president
will visit the devastated parts of Bel
GUM and France and also that he will
go to Italy. He has, however, scorn-
fully declined in a any invita-
tons to visit Germany.
-2-
Unless Italy tones down her course
the east coast of the Adriatic the
Jugo-Slavs are going to have serious
complaints to lay before the confer
ence of the allies. A considerable
part of the territory the Italians have
occupied there is claimed by the new