Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-01
THE KAlsER's WORRIES.

meQt ana 10 the men WHO d. A6AhAA6
to preserve that government
THE KAlsER's WORRIES.
It is trife difficult to diagnose the
state of public opinion in Germany
inst now, and to distinguish between
that news which is inspired by the
antocracy and that which holds to the
truth.
Il is difficult, here in America. to
understand the temper OF those ultra
militarists in Germany who are berat'
ing the kaiser because his chancellor
discusses peace on any basis save
that OF complete surrender and confes-
sion of defeat by Germany's enemies.
These. 1t seems, are of the aTfstocrat-
ic, moneyed class which has every
thing to gain should the war result In
complete victory for Germany, and
nothing to lose if it continues indef-
niteIy as it is progressing now. Among
them, doubtless, are numerous war
profteers. Among them also are the
war lords who, should the war end,
would be warriors out of job.
II various stories which have come
out of Germany are to be believed,
the crown prince is identified with
this pan German faction. which first
really came to grips with the kaiser
when the decision was made to 1naug-
urate the ruthless" submarine cam
paign
It is not so difficult to understand
the demand for peace which comes
from the common people Of Germany
as it comes in greater volume also
from the pro]etariat Of Austria and
Hungary. The people, particularly
the poorer classes. arc worn BY the
war. They have lost many of their
men in battle They have seen their
babies perish from hunger. They have
endured war rations and extraordf
nary labor. Theirs have been the
horrors of war, but they have shared
little of its glory.
AS the repeated declarations Of Off
cial Germany's lawlessness gain the
ears of the German people and real
ixation Of Germany's crimes against
humanity is borne in, war WEAKNESS
quickens coneciences and begets a
desire to end it all in return to
peace.
But here the pan-Germans object,
as does the government. The best
peace bargain Germany could drive
now would be at the expense Of much
Of her economic greatness. Many Of
the worlds markets would be closed
and the huge profits some OF her mil
Eonaires have piled up during the
war would melt away in the heat OF
a competition in which hate and trade
must mingle. They demand victory
frst and German peace afterward.
and il it is true that their demands go
beyond what the kaiser would be will
ing to accept it is the first authentic
indication the world has had that the
kaiser holds respect for the prolet.
ariat
Perhaps, indeed. instead Of respect.
he e0tertains a fear Of the results OF
revolt among the masses Whf]s
men who should know assure us there
can be no such an uprising IN Ger
many, there is evidence that the ka&-
ser is not entirely confident of SOC
cess for his autoeracy continued In
definitely. His birthday address to
the president Of de reichstAg spoke
of his ardent daily wish that the Ger
man people may preserve their union
until the ffnA victory Of our arms. :"
This lae1B much II the arrogant tone
with which he bade the expsdsaon to
China, q few years ago, Guido tho Huns
IN savagey and barbafsm, and that
With Which, On nnmerous occasions.
he has de6ea the hDa1est OF his sub
jecos to eat fhe slightest doubt upon
his dfv11e right to send his armSe,
into the Jaws II certain death
All in all, though there Is much
about Germany which Americans can
not understand Just nov. We may at
least gain some measure Of sadsdAc-
ton nom the knowledge that al b
not wen WIN the s16oasec rulne
whose madness for fWohsf extension
of his selfish power has bvuQght tho
voe1d 20 arms and many guvasnaneD
to the wrEe u dissolution.