New-York tribune., 1918-10-22
Some German Militarists
Insisted Country Still Had
Chance in Struggle
Holland and Denmark
Also Cloud Issue
Danes Ask for 1864 Plebi-
scite; Huns Would Retreat
Through Dutch Territory
By RI. w. Smith
(Spccial Cable to The Trt6ure)

tSpcctdt Cable to The Tri6une)
AMSTERDAM, Oct. 20.--I an, unalc
to obtain reliable information concern
ing the statement published here BY
the "Nicwsblad," as from Berelin, in
explanation of the delay in Gcrmany's
reply to Wilson. 1t is said the DELAY
was due first to the pressure which is
being put by theEntente on Holland,
and, second, to the reception Of
friendly note from Denmark, asking, in
accordance with the treaty of 1864, for
plebiscite fthc population of
Schleswig- Holstein.
Opinion here inclines to the view
that any pressure on Holland arises
from demand by Germany that pas
sage shall be granted to it's retreatinc
army through Dutch territory. 1t is
exported that the Danish note to Ger
many has an Importance of its own, as
1t has also reference to Holland, but
careful inquiries in quarters in touch
with Berlin show that the delay in the
reply was more probably due to the
momentous success of the element
backed by few generals who still be-
lleve that it is possible for the coun-
try to resist the demands of the Allies.
Reports Called Exaggerated
They declare that the spirit of their
army on the West Front has been much
improved largely owing to the removal
OF demorallzed troops brought from
russia, that there is no present dam
ger of complete breakdown, and that
1t VIII be time to talk of peace of
surrender when there is. A neutral
who has come out of Germany This
week tells me that stories as to .
shortage of war material h ave been
exaggerated.
Munltion works continue to deliver
adequate supplies in naval yards es-
pccially Much activity prevails and
the various rumors current indicate
that hope has not entirely been given
up III some circles of the navy. Thew
are taking a hand and showing that
Germany is still able to hit back. Not
without interest in this connection is
statement of the "Berliner Tageblatt. /"
that Armiral Won Scheer, chief of the
naval staff, has been taking part in
deliberations at Berlin, and that the
subjects discussed include r1.hoat
bases, the condition of the high seas
fleet and the manner in which Ger.
many north seacoast might be affect
ed by a blockade of Heligoland and
Wilhelmshaven.
1t is obvious that there has been
this week great marshalling Of facts
and forces for and against, and that
admiralty heads as we'll as those Of the
army would have to have been heard
as to the possibility of the war par.v
in Berlin definitely obtaining the IN
per hand.
Thinks Crisis Is Near
have already given reasons which
make such thing impossible. The
feeling in the country is now such that
interests will be submerged. 1t is evil
dent from their references to Bolshev
ism in their appeal last week that lead
ers of the Social Democrats fear the
situation may soon be beyond their
power to deal with
Scheidemann abd some of his near
est colleagues have always been sus-
rected, especially outside of Berlin, Of
allowing personal ambitions to affect
their judgment in their leadership oe
the party throughout the war, and
majority of Socialists are now being
charged with sharing with Bourgeoise
parties sponsibilities for all the mis-
cries and disasters in which it is end
ne.