The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-10-26
WILSON'S EDICT 2
STARTLES HUNS
Causes Panic in Banking Circles
and on the Stock
Exchange.
MILITARY CHIEFS CALLED
Supreme Command to Meet in Capital
to Confer Upon Crisis Facing Ma
ton and Plan to Raise the
Military Age.

London, Oct. i7.-President Wilson'S
reply to the German peace note pro-
duced most unfavorable impression
In Berlin, says Central News dis
patch from Amsterdam.
Publication Of the reply was fol-
lowed by a panic in Berlin banking
circles and on the stock exchange.
The German supreme command, the
advices state, will come to Berlin at
the end Of the week to deliberate on
the mobilization and concentration Of
the national strength and the raising
of the military age.
Blames "Fate" for Sea Murder
A dispatch to the Daily Mail from
The Hague quotes Matthias Erzberger,
Catholic leader and minister without
portfolio In the German government,
as expressing regret over the sinking
Of the Irish mail steamer Leinster,
but declaring that it was 'the hand Of
fate" for which Germany 'could not
be held responsible"
"The occurrence Is exceptionally re-
grettable," Brzberger is quoted as say
ing. Il learned with deep sympathy
Of the disaster which has overtaken so
many women and children. My atti-
tude on such occurrences Is well
known. In 1915 / expressed regret
over the many victims of the Lusi-
tania. My regret is increased in this
sad case to genuine pain. The hand
of fate, for which we cannot be made
responsible, has governed here"
Junkers Show Their Fear.
Copenhagen. 0ct. Reform of
Prussia's antiquated thTee-clAss iran
chise appears insured by the adoption
unanimously of the following resolu-
ton by the conservative faction in the
Prussian diet:
In the hour of the fatherland's q
greatest distress, and in the real1za-
tion that we must be equipped to fight
hard battles for the integrity of the
fatheriand's soil, the conservative par
ty of the diet considers it patriotic
duty to lay aside all internal conflict
and be ready to make heavy sacrifices
to attain the ends In view.
''rhe members of the party believe
that far-reaching rehabilitation Of
the Prussian constitution will not ad-
vance the welfare OF the Prussian peo-
pie, but are nevertheless prepared to
abandon their opposition to the equal
franchise in Prussia, in accordance
with the latest decision of their
friends in the house of lords, in order
to assure harmonious front against
the outside world"
ReIchstag Session Postponed.
Basel, Oct 1T.-Advices from Berlin
say that the president of the reich
stag has postponed the sitting which
was to have begun today.
The German socialists have decided
lin view Of the general political situa-
ton, not to oppose Prince Maximilian
of Baden retaining his post Of chan
cellor.
Prince Maximilian has made state
ment to the party leaders In the reich
stag concerning his famous letter to
Prince Alexander of Hohenlohe, which
showed that, Prince Macmillan was a
Arm supporter Of the German reign
ing family and the pam Germans.
Prince Macmillan did not deny the
letter but said he had repeatedly ex-
pressed himself in 1917 and 1918 In
favor Of categorical declaration on
the subject, of Belgium, Prussian cleo
toral reform and the proper carrying
out of the Brest-Litovsk treaty.