Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-11
Conference, Unprecedented
in German History, Causes
Widespread Speculation.
MAY MEAN ABDICATION
OR PLEA FOR SUPPORT
Conjecture Ranges From Appeal to
State Sovereigns for Renewed
Fealty to Unconditional
Surrender.
Iy the Associated Press.

Ty the Associated Press.
AMSTERDAM, October 11.-Emperor
William has summoned the sovereigns
of all the German federal states to
Berlin for a consultation before an
swering President Wilson's note, ac-
eording to a Cologne dispatch. Such
a conference is unique in the history
of Germany.
LONDON, October 11.-Chancellor
Maximilian's peace proposal to Presl-
dent Wilson was made in direct op-
position to the views of Emperor WILL
liam. according to report brought TO
London by a neutral who left Ger
many a few days ago. 1t is suggest
ed that this may be the reason LOT
the summoning of the German SOW
ereiens for a conference. No official
confirmation of this can be obtained
here.
No Decision Reached at Berlin
BASEL, Switzerland. October IL
So far no decision has been reached
by the ministers assembled at Berhh
under Chancellor Maximilian to con-
slider President Wilson's answer to
the peace proposals Of the central
powers. says dispatch from Berlin
received here today.
AS the new German government,
however. the message ADDS: regaros llie e
peace measures most seriously, IL Is is
considered certain that an answer Will
he given to President Wilson on all
three points with the same rapidlty as
that in which he answered Germany.
1t is believed from this that 1t is the
purpose of the German government 70
pursue the conversations commenced
on the possibilities of a conclusion OF
peace.
Speculation as to Significance.
sneculation here as to the meaning
of the conference of the soverigns OF
the German states called by the
kaiser ranges all the way from an
appeal to the petty soverigns for
renewed fealty to the supreme war
lord and the suppression of any dis
satisfaction in their territories. TO
abdication of the kaiser and uncon-
ditional surrender to the allies.
Those who suggest the possibility
of abdication argue that the kaiser
must realize that the time when ne
NAV get cut with good grace is pass
ing. and that he may be preparing to
be before the people proclaiming his
abdication as a measure for their well
fare and to save future suffering.
II is assumed. of course. that the
conference will deal with the reply to
President Wilson's inquiries in re-
sponse to Prince MaXimilians peace
note. If that reply actually is to lead
to peace negotiations it must be pre-
Jude to drastic changes in the German
empire in which the subject sover-
eigns would have a hand.
Discussion of Reforms, Possible.
One official suggested that the con-
ference of kings might have been call
ed particularly to work out details OF
reforms ordered in the decree of Sep
tember 80. to which Prince Maximilian
referred to in his first address to the
reichstag as imperial chancellor. Just
what this decree provides is not
known here. and no report has been
made of it to this government either
directly or indirectly. Even the most
radical socialist newspapers of Ger
many have made no mention of 1t.