Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-26
GERMAN PAPERS SHOW
SHARP CRITICISM
OF MILITARY POLICY

NE" 1Ork, oct. Z5.-German news
papers received here show that sharp
criticism OF the German military
policy was voiced in debate during
q sitting Of the main committee of
the Reichstag late in September.
Deputy Adolph Croeber Of the Gem
ter party. Phillip Scheidemann, the
Socialist leader. and now secretary
OF state without portfolio, in Prince
Maximlian's government; Deputy
Fischbeck, Of the Peoples Progress
sive party and DR. Gustav Strese-
mann IF the National Liberal party
, were the chief critics. The Keynote Of
their remarks was that the military
policy reduced the civil government
to the role of a puppet.
According TO the Vorwaerts OF
Sept. 20. Groeber's address was the
greatest surprise Of the day. In the
past he has been strong supporter
of the militarist forces. During the
debate ne turned upon Chancellor Won
Hcrtling and also General Won Stein.
PruSSian war minister accusing the
latter Of having forbidden meetings
in favor Of the peace resolution pass
ed by the Rcichstag in July. 1917.
Scheidermann was unsparing in his
criticism of conditions which had
arisen during recent months. He said
in part:
1.-THE last year has been the worst
ever lived by the German people. 1t
was believed that, following the con-
clusion Of peace in the east. a mill
tary superiority had been created in
the west. In that we have been de-
ceived. Authoritative circles have UNI
der-estimatcd the enemy and this I'M
oer-estlmation has been commune
Gated suggestively to the people.
1T has not been possible, rs a mil
itary thought to crush the enemy. We
will, on the contrary, be compelled to
our utmost in avoiding being crush
ed ourselves.
"Vice Chancellor Won Payer en-
deavored in his speech at Stuff
CART, to justify Germany's policy in
his address with remarks recently
made by DR.. w. S. Solf, the secret
airy Of state for colonies. This was
difficult undertaking.. for DR.. Solf
probably would have spoken quite
differently il he had been acquaint-
ed with the treaties supplementary
to the -Litovsk convention. 1t
is very characteristic that DR.. Solf.
as member of the government,
knew nothing Of these treatie
The time is irrevocably passed
when the peoples are willing to
spill their blood for dynastic rea-
sons. It has been impossible to
bring our full force to bear upon the
western front, because. as a result
of our eastern policy. German troops
must be kept in great strength in
the east.
According to the Vorwaertz, the
attitude Of the German government
relative to the first Austrian peace
note caused surprise III Berlin.
There is a cleft in the Alliance"
the newspaper says.
Civil authorities are overruled by
the military on many occasions, ac-
cording to the report Of the debate
in the main committee. Scheide-
mann said:
'At the order Of the military some
police porter forbids a deputy to
discuss a question which today en-
crosses the entire attention of the
German public" 1t is pointed out
that he referred to franchise reform.
Scheidemann said that the effects
nj the military to beat down every
free emotion among the people" had
the result of making conditions at
the front worse and worse"