The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-16

lbe a violent reaction in Germany FOL
flowing publication of the president
decision. it also is confidently believed
that this will represent the reacuon
inspired solely by the militarists who
are still in power. 1t IL known that
the great body OF German citizens want
peace. and want it so badly that they
forced the hand of the mlitarfsts. Ana
having reached the fun exaftatton
that the hope of peace gave them.
they may 60 farther and attain II by
Kidding themselves of the autocrats
who control their. destinies.
/ The matter now is, however. one OF
life or death for autocracy, and autoc-
racv has always died hard 1t was
observed by officials today. Therefore,
both the United states and the allies
( may expect the fiereest fighting OF the
war and the enemy's supreme effort
! with submarines. The United States
{ and the allies are prepared, though.
FLOR any eventuality on this score
Still Going over
The statement from the white house
Yesterday that we will continue to send
ESQ Geo or more men and their sup
plies monthly to the battletields in
France is one indication of our prep
-asations- Another was offered this
afternoon By Secretary of the Navy
, l4&filEtS AS nc l9IL tflE canine i'tN't
ing Within a few DAYS, he said, he
would submit to congress estimates
for an enlarged naval program. the
chief expenditure of which would he
for the construction of additional sub
marine chasers and torpedo boat de
stroyers. English shipyards are also
going full blast on the same kind of
work. with but one purpose in view
TO fhwart Germany's supreme subma-
rine effort
In official quarters today a warn
ing WAS issued TO the American pub
Tic Ia beware OF the many reports
which lately have come out OF Ger
many. and which. II is expected, will
continue TO come These have been
reports OF Internal reforms. the abdi-
cation OF the kaiser. violent attacks
on him by German papers and other
indications that the war is coming TO
a rapid close Officials declared ii is
impossible 10 declare how much truth
or how much propaganda is in these
reports and the additional suggestion
was offered that they might he put out
to create an impression in France and
Italy that the war is about over.
Jccky, and Hyde.
The fine distinction the president
tdrew of Germany with an olive branch
: in one hand and bludgeon in the
other may serve to guide the Ameri-
can public. it was said, to repose its
| confidence solely in Foch and the al
HES armies in the field and to await
results only on this score.
II is pointed out that we should not
expect revolution In the sense of tho
French revolutions To follow head
over heels Gu the publication of the
presidents note in Germany, That is
Epresuming too much in a cowed com
lmunitv where machine guns are ac-
cessibie only 10 those who would use
them to crush a revolution
We may expect though, If the
German people remain insisteut for
peace, parliamentary reforms which
would be stepping stones to tho relin-
quishment--forcrd elnquishment--of
Inutocratic powers by the kaiser Once
these reforms are put into effect we
may expect others each with greater
possibilities than its predecessor.
Officials and diplomats do not. for
Ian instant. believe these win come
through Max of Baden, the present
chancellor who already is in danger
NJ losing his post, nor through Philip
Schiedemann leader of the majority
socialists The latter. it was said. has
consciously or uneonseiousiy been a
pupil of the military party ever since
the start of the war. One other man
is mentioned. He ia Liebknecht. the
radical. who has fought autocracy
been placed In prison for his crime. -
and who has lately been released