Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-10-17
Thursday, October II, 1918.
War No. Over, " Our Loan Fails

the German army from disaster 1t
seems that the new chancellor. Prince
Macmillan. opposed the plan but was
overruiod by n majority Of the war
college.
Our deductions OF Monday morn
ing. that tho haste Of the ''accep-
lance" coupled with a request for a
cessation Of hostilities, indicated a
desperate attempt to pub the Prus-
sian war machine out Of impending
calamity. seem to be strongly con-
firmed. We are surprised that .mer-
lean editors and war writer's have
so missed or ignored that point.
London and Paris comment. coming
later. we note contained very strong
emphasis upon the German army
crisis and the evident purpose Of
the war masters to supplement mill
,ary strategy with diplomatic trick
cry.
Now we see the strategic hand Of
the chief war master in the note of
acceptance" by the German peo-
pie" Hindenbur~ bluntly pointed to
the desperate condition Of the army.
It's exhausted r. ks OF munitions. its
daily decreasing means Of transport
tation out of the allied, Hun-traps.
lack Of time TO reform, equip or re-
morale the hard pressed underfed
nnd worn-out troops. and above all,
no supply Of raw material with which
TO replenish supplic- or equipment.
The season has favored the allied
offensive. The junior partner Of the
Kaisc-'s aforementioned firm has not
saved the retreating and badly shat
tered German = 1sive. Seasonal
did has been delayed until a matter
of days only lies between linden
burg's command and debac!e.
IL there were time to withdraw
successfully. with equipment. to a
new line OF defense. even on German
soil. conditions would be less critical
for the Hun divisions, but the allied
forces are at them every foot of the
way. slashing and cutting, taking an
army corps every day in dead.
wounded and prisoners. capturing
great outfits OF badly needed guns,
munitions and equipment in every "a
hours. and granting not a moment Of
rest TO the tottering Teutons.
Is II any wonder that the most
pressing need Of the Germans is a
let-up on the fighting arm that Is
being swiftly and surely put out Of
the game?
And II the army cannot be saved,
either by military strength and
prowcss or by diplomatic recourse,
then what hope for western Ger
many?
Every hour conditions on the west
front are more hopeless for Germany,
and each day sees a stronger civic
tide turning toward a new govern
ment and peace-and food. and Ger
man sons at home. and the grasp of
hell released.
No one in Germany or elsewhere
so we'll knows the needs of the Ger
man army. or the prospects Of extri-
eating 1t from the gnashing teeth Of
the allied military machine. as does
Hindenburg. That he resorted to the
subterfuge Of proposed acceptance Of
peace terms. speaks volumes for the
straits in which the war masters find
themselves. Already the industries
and citizens OF Rhine cities are clam
oring for an end Of the war before
they are swept as has been Belgium
and eastern France.
No longer is heard a Hun claim Of
victory or hope Of winning the war.
The war has been lost and they
know 1t. The war has not paid must
II be a terrible burden down through
generations? The problem in Ger
many today Is how to end what they
began without the punishments that
now seem inevitable. All delay Of
submission in full to allied demands
Is based on the hope Of saving
something out Of the wreck.
A German paper. the Volks Zeiturx
Of Leipsic. Saxony. one Of the
strongest kingdoms Of the empire.
has boldly put Its finger on the sore
spot and pointed to the only cure. It
said on Monday:
In the minds Of the German people
responsibility for the present situation
eenters more and more clearly every
day on the person OF the emperor.
We see In william II the last Ger
that he can no longer be what he has
thought himself since the first day Of
his reim-an instrument sent by God
and above all the chief Of the most bril-.
liant and best or ganixed army.
In 1858 the emperor said he would
inhabitants rather than give up q sin
gle stone conquered by his father. Tw.
million dead are more than IL army
ecIs.
patriotic sacrifices from his subjects
IL n unvv for him IN ahovv his anirit ~