Evening star., 1918-02-10
Not in State of Revolution.

LuchIS recently.
Not in State of Revolution.
i have gone thus minutely into the
question because / am anxious to make
clear the situation as I see IL. Ger
many is not in a state of anarchy or
revolution, the German people are not
prepared to desert their emperor or
their chancellor: they are not about
to ground their arms or turn them upon
their political masters, nor is there
any present prospect. But they are
manifesting an ever-growtng determine
alton to dictate the policies Of their
masters and an ever greater power to
enforce their wishes. They will not
desert the emperor as the French de-
serted theirs in 1914, but neither will
they permit William II to go to the
full length of the Napoleonic folly.
Now this raises a new question. On
both sides the shrinking of war aims
and peace terms is proceeding very
rapidly, induced by the demand Of the
peoples themselves. In this respect we
are moving toward peace with far
greater rapfdity than at any time dur
ing the struggle, but where is the ulti.
mate compromise to come? There ara.
after all. certain issues on which both
the French and the German people are
still prepared to fight on for a long
period Of time. How shall these obsta-
cles be resolved?
The answer to this question is. 4
think. simple. On the day on which
the United States broke OF relations
at luncheon In Paris with John w. Gar
rett. American minister to Holland.
and Joseph Reinach. one of the most
prominent of French publicists. We
were talking Of the new situation and
NJ. Reinach said: Had the late King
Edward lived he would have presided
at the allied counsels, he would have
been recognized as the leading spirit
on our side. His death removed tho
one man capable of doing this. but if
you will. President Wilson will occupy
that place by common consent of all
the nations allied against Germany"
A curious confirmation of this fore
cast. IL confirmation be necessary. came
to me last week, when Col. Wedgewood,
a veteran of the Gallipoli campaign
and one Of the leading radicals of the
British house of commons, called upon
me. He said:
rs it not strange that. having had SO
many Presidents of Indifferent stature.
you should yet have had in your three
great crises Washington. Lincoln and
Wilson? Nor can you imagine the hold
that Mr.. Wilson has upon the British
They trust him as they do
not trust their own leaders. His ad-
dress to Congress on war aims did more
to satisfy labor and unite the British
than anything that has hap
pened in the war. Masses of English-
men who have become frankly sus-
picious of their own statesmen are pre-
pared to accept and follow his words"
Effect of Address in Germany.
It seems to me far from unlikely that
the succession of Mr.. Wilson to the
moral leadership of the nations allied
against Germany. which has already
had a marked influence in Britain and
se
It's effect in Germany: is. indeed, hav-
ing its effect. il one may believe only
4 little of what one hears. The people
Of Germany. like those of every ma
tion at war. are passionately seeking
release from the nightmare of this
strife. They have already, in their
own minds. made many sacrifices of
preconcefved hopes; they are ready to
make more. They are ready in Ger
many. millions Of them, and President
Wilson'S address has. despite its unsat-
sfactory character in some respects,
and. I believe, permanently.
modified the whole German situation.
Il has had good deal to do with the
he German confidence in their rulers,
lot to the extent Of changing rulers or
'orms of governments. I repeat / do
lot believe this is going to happen but
% the extent of demanding that their
-ulers change policies.
So much for the present German unrest
ike the Austrian situation. Of which +.
wrote last week 1t is a sign, n is promise,
however faint. Of new conditions which
will make for peace. I believe that peace !,
~ negotiation is more nearly possible
oday than it was even six months aeo.s1
{ was never possible at all before that.
We are getting on" as Mr.. Asquith
aid in a celebrated debate. that 10 clear.
Yet in saying all this. 1t seems essential
o point out that there are two great
hangers to be encountered. A Germnn
'ictory would change everything A TALL
ire OF the United States to press and re-
loubIe its preparations would help tbs
Germans to victory and thus contribute to
prolongation Of the terrible strife. II
he moral leadership has passed to Amer5- :
a. SO has the greatest material task.
Until the Germans attack, or abandon
he attack. peace discussions are tmpoo-
tble believe the Germans will attack
oon. but the sooner the attack. II Il - )
eld. the nearer we shall be to peAco-&o &
,9ace<induced by the demands Of thu 00r-
nan people. whose voice ne, hear nows 81
aintiy perhaps, but stin unmfstakat1E !.