New-York tribune., 1918-09-21
Political Maneuvring of
Central Powers Not at
End Yet
Signs That Huns
Are Regaining Poise
Teuton Rulers Ready to
Make Concessions to
Restive Elements
By Arthur S. Draper
Special Gable to The Tribuue)

Special Cdblc to The Tr!buUe)
Copyright. lalS. New York Tribune Inc.)
LONDON, Sept. 20.--Though the AL
lied governments sent fiat refusals to
the Austrian note the political ma
neuvring of the Central Powers has
not come to an end. Tie main commit
tee of the Reichstag met to-day, while
the Reichstag itself is scheduled to re-
assemble on October /. When the So
cialist "Norwaerts" uses the language
Of the Pan German party in comment
ing on the Allied reply to the peace Of
fer, it is plain that the morale of the
Germans has been stiffened consider
ably.
But the present directors Of Ger
many evidently contemplate making
changes IN the government which thew
think will countcract the German un
rest The Germans have somewhat re-
covered from the case of fright with
which they were seized a month ago.
They are regaining some of their con
hdence. which had dropped rather low
while their armies were retreatinr on
many fronts and the Allies were
capturing thousands Of prisoners dailv.
Morale Has Improved
German morale has improved both
on the battle and home fronts. Unless
this fact is recognized and ADMITTED
the Allied peoples are in danger of ey
periencing some disappointments in
the next few months. The German
army won't surrender tomorrow. and
the German people, not to mention
tnelr rulers. are not prepared to &C.
cept the terms which the Allies would
demand
But there is unrest in Germany. lust
as there are dissatisfaction and discon-
tent IN Britain. TO placate the restive
clements the German rulers are evi-
Gently prepared to make considerabl
CONCESSIONS. Socialists who are not
paolhsts arc being allowed more lati-
tude and tho pan Germans are being
checked and instructed TO show a sem
biancc of moderation.
Bread rations are to be increased on
October l and special effort is being
made TO improve the economic situa-
ton, especially among the poorer
classes.
Germany Cleaning House
Germany is cleaning house, but the
same old furniture remains, though
,ome O. 1t VIII occupy new places. The
Lnlcnte leaders are not underestimate
'As the strength of Germany and there
are no Logger any foolish stories con-
cernlng starvation and revolution. Per
sons who doubt German power and
courage aeed only to talk with the
British soldiers who have been fighting
on the plains of Picardy
Any one who expects a collapse al
the German home front before Christ
mas is doomed to disappointment. The
kelchstag is almost certain to pla,
part in the peace manmuvring, bu,
with no more success than has at
tended karPs efforts, because neithc,
SIDE IS ready to consider peace.
America Dominates Entente
Above everything else, America
American strength, American enthu.
slasm, American idealism-has lifted
her belligerents and will carry
them on. This is true of the workers
Liberals. Tories, French Socialists
Italian Socialists, Belgians and Ser
bans. America is influencing every
body and everything. The spirit which
EXISTS IN America to-day is the spirit
of the Entente. Some of the Entente
Ieel war weary and also war wise, bu:
Tor some time to come they will feel
satlShed to travel along with America,
All the inter-Allied labor conferences.
resolutions and Austrian notes won't
orlng peace SO long as Germany feels
inc way she does to-day and America
stands firm,