Evening star., 1918-11-11

derstood because the President was
not in a position to take the public
into his confidence. Now, that an
eventful month has elapsed and the
war is over. a little story can be told.
what will be the effect-what do
you hope to accomplish by the in
quiry?" was asked of Mr.. Wilson by
a friend.
This will bring revolution to Ger
many. Her people are ready to over
throw their present rulers to get
peace"
Test Of Good Faith.
About the same time that the above
conversation took place this CORE
spondent sent q dispatch from Wash
ington saying that the President by
his answer to Germany meant to test
the good faith Of the new socialist
just few days before, an event OF
which the world generally took little
notice. and meant also Ito SOW the
Seeds Of social revolution"
Today the Presidents prediction has
been fulfilled. There was no special
power "f prophecy involved. MIR. VIII
son simply had mere information than
the rublic, mcet of it confidential, and
during the lact month he has been
more worried over the prospect OF
anarchy in Fur opc than anything else.
He knew when the German request
for an armistice came that Germany
was on the road to collapse and MS
concern was how to manage the sftua-
ton without forcing bolshevism on
Germany, a disease of such contagfon
that If left unchecked it might spread
to neighborIng countries.
The world some day will know the
true story of how the President, ac-
gotiate' peace with Germany. accused
Of weakening" and accused OF things
equally severe by newspapers and
public speakers, deliberately ignored
this criticism and acted as he thought
best for the interest of humanity. he
sacrificed the good esteem OF these
critics for a short time with the con-
viction that the events of the future
would vindicate his position.
Abdication Rumors Circulated.
In this connection it may be said
that the rumors which persisted about
two weeks ago concerning the abdica-
tion Of the kaiser-rumors that were
printed by London newspapers as
coming from Holland and Switzerland
had some foundation. Indeed. ever w
a cessation of hostilities on land, on
sea and in the air, she has been trying
hard to surrender and keep some kind
Of governmental structure intact for
the making of peace.
The President refused to heed the
cries that bade him have nothing to do
with any German government, that bade
him order the armies to proceed to
Berlin and to let the allied troops go on
fighting Indefinitely until Germany was
occupied. Mr.. Wilson felt that a wiser
course would be to recognize Germany's g
desperate effort to keep herself from
anarchy, to assist the socialist demo-
Gratis Of Germany into power and to
render such cooperation as would pre-
vent Germany from becoming another
Russia, ruled by the red flag Of terror.
Has Freedom of Action.
Today Washington is celebrating the
great triumph. Today, as promised, the
President is informing Congress of what
he considers the first formal steps to-
ward peace-reading the terms Of the
armistice to the Senate and House. All
the steps preceding have been prelimt-
nary. The United States is not COM
mitted to anything but general princi-
pies thus far. Her freedom of action is
ligerents. The President will appoint
republicans as well as democrats on the
peace commission that represents the
United States.
But the question Of a peace confer
ence and the details Of the settlement
immediate concern. It probably will
require two or three months to get
ready for a peace conference. But
what is pressing and urgent is the
dangerous spread of anarchy in
Europe. Americas answer to that
starved peoples of Europe.
Talk With Mr. Hoover.
Even before the public was aware
of the revolts which began at Kiel
and spread to other parts of Ger
many. the President discussed with
Herbert Hoover what might be done
to prevent famine and bolshevism-its
inevitable consequence. Mr.. Wilson
him to undertake on behalf of the
United States and in cooperation
with the governments Of Europe q
huge relief project. The President
expressed in that letter his warm ap-
probation of the remarkable work
staff in handling the food problem
same instrumentalities be employed
to conduct the world through the crit
ical days Of peace.
Germany. it is calculated. can get
meats and fats. Austria is in very
bad straits. The Czecho-Slovaks and
Jugo Slavs and other liberated peoples
are in need of both food and clothing
While there is confidence here in the
ability Of the German people, because
Of their habits of discipline and educa-
ton. to keep orderly, no such assur-
was the eAustro-Hungarian monarchy.
Concerned Over Outlook.
The whole situation is SO disturbing
that even in the moment of his great
est triumph the President is deeply
concerned over the outlook. 1t is not
simply a concern for innocent persons
in Germany and Austria, but q fear
that the germ of bolshevism may worl
its way to Italy. France and England
While further drafts OF troops prob
ably will cease and the war machine
will be slowed down. nevertheless II
may be some time before the American
Army can be demobflized. It will be
needed for police duty, which may not
mean the occupation of all Germany
but simply the maintenance Of DO.
and order.
All Washington was happy over the
victory Of America and the allies writ
ten in the dispatches telling Of ar
overthrow of the Hohenzollerns and
steps toward the establishment Of q
free government in Germany AS
former Premier Asqufth said, it was
not until President Wilson in his ia
nous war message of April, 1917, put
the meaning Of the war in a few
phrases and boldly made q distinction