Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-27
DECLARE KA|SER'S
POWER DESTROYED
Reports in Amsterdam Hint
That General Staff May
Lose Power.
TALK OF NEW SOVEREIGN
BY RENE FEIBELMAN.

BY RENE FEIBELMAN.
CableSram to The Sunday Star and
Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1918.
AMSTERDAM, October % (delayed).
Even the socialist papers Of Ger
many say Germany cannot go any
farther in concessions until the allies
have annihilated her. There is much
excitement regarding today's session
of the reichstag. It is hoped that what
is said in the debate will contribute to
give Mr.. Wilson and the whole world
confidence in what the note says about
Germany's characterization.
It is asserted that the arbitrary
power of the kaiser has. been de-
stroyed beyond the possibility of re-
pair. It is also maintained that the
changes in the constitution will deal
with the suppression of the emperors
absolute right to declare war. though
in the government proposal 1t is said
that "the kaiser can declare war sim
gle handed in case Germany is at
tackled"
The democratic parties want the
right to declare war taken away
from the kaiser in all cases, because
the term sis attacked" is open to
manifold interpretations. In 1914 the
emperor himself declared that Ger
many was being attacked or at any
rate being threatened by Russia and
France.
Differences Of Opinion.
The ma iority in the reichstag want
the requirement that further dec1ara-
tions Of war must be sanctioned by it
in all cases. The pan-Germans and
conservatives insist on the reserva-
ton concerning aggression. This, II
put through, will kill the whole re-
form, It is suggested that the con-
stftution must be amended so that
the chancellor shall be responsible to
the kaiser as at present but that
majority in the reichstag can cause
the fall of the chancellor by simple
vote, so that the emperor will no
country a chancellor of his own
choice.
Until the two misunderstanding
away from the kaiser the right to de-
clare war and the right to keep in
office his own chancellor-are passed
no democracy and no parliamentary
government in Germany.
Two other measures are under con-
sideration. They are intended to kill
the influence Of the general Stafr and
the kaiser's secret military cabinet.
Until now both have been supreme
authorities in military matters, stand
ing above the nominal heads of the
government and parliament. Under
the proposed new constitution the
general staff will be controlled by
responsible chancellor and cabinet or
by a minister of war responsible to
the chancellor. These reforms may be
accomplished facts in a few days.
Kaiser Deeply Worried.
Now the people Of Germany are
asking what the kaiser's position
will be after the whirlwind of re-
form has passed over the country.
It is said that the emperor Is deep
" worried over the prospect Of be-
coming, as he says. a mere chan
cery employe" Nobody in Germany
cares what the kaiser thinks about
it. It is not supposed that the Ho-
henzollern dynasty can remain in
power long after the royal powers
have been curtailed. There Is even
much discussion as to the next SOW
ereign. One thing is sure-the
kaiser is no longer master Of Ger
many. Parliament, il it remains
united, will sooner or later place be-
fore him the choice: Accept the new
order of things or go.