The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-03
ALLIED DEFENSE
SKATERS BOCHE
DREAMS IN WAR
German Papers No Longer Call
1t "Kaiser'S Battle"
No New Sedan-DOn't Want
Ypres Anyway.
INTERNAL TROUBLES GROW
Prestige of War Lords Being
Undermined.
Food Disturbances Increase in
Enemy Countries.
INTERNAL TROUBLES GROW
of War Lords Being
Undermined.

London, May 3 (Via OttaWa) 1t is
noteworthy that with the lull in the
fighting since the German defeat at
Ypres all German talk of the "kaisers
battle has vanished. The German
experts and newspapers have now
been instructed to warn the people
that no new Sedan is possible, that
Ypres is very strong, that the British
have fought most stubbornly and that,
after all. Ypres is not of Importance
for the Germans. They declare that
the German command may decide not
to take YpreS.
Sir William Robertsons warning
that the war is likely to last for a
long time yet is commented upon in
London as timely. 1t is pointed out
that one reason why American inter-
vention did not sooner become active
in some fields is because America
on an immense scale and she realized
that a successful offensive against
Germany might be necessary to win
the war. The Times refers to a dis
patch from Washington stating that
diplomats anticipate peace move but
that no offer of mediation even from
the pope will be considered. Any pro-
posal of peace must come from, Ger
many. the Times declares. and the al
lies will meet any such move with the
latest offensive.
Doubts Grow Up Apace.
BY j. w. T. MASON.
New York, May 3.-Serious internal
difficulties of the central powers are
following the stoppage of Won Hin
denburg's offensive along the west
front
Food. political and dynastic. prob
lens have been accumu1ati ting in Ger
many and Austria -HungaryawhiIe the
world has had its attention fixed on
the military events in Picardy and
Flanders. A sudden collapse of Teu-
tonic resistance because of new do
mestIc crises is not to be expected but
there can be no doubt of the under
mining effect on the morale of the
Hohenzollern abSolutist regime.
In both Austria Hungary and Prus-
sla, demands in the local parliaments
for political reforms are reaching a
disquieting stage of insistence. The
vested interests have united against
any extension of democracy and are
resolved to continue the struggle for
their own privileges, regardless of
consequences. Compromise solutions
therefore, are not probable.
Ukrainians Burn Food.
At the same time, disorders as 4 re-
suit of food shortage are announced
in Germany, while the Austro-Hun-
garian government has been forced to
seize the private food stores of the
peasants to keep the cities from starv-
alton. In Ukraine, wildly heraIded as
certain source of unlimited food sup
ply for the central powers, the farm
ers are burning their crops rather than
submit to the ruthless seizure ordered
by the German military authority
AT Vienna the pro-Germans have
begun a boycott of the Emperor Karl
because he is showing d small spirit of
independence and does not confess to
a belief in the omnipotence of the
HohenZollerns.
Karl in a Tight Place.
The young emperors position would
be precarious if Germany were to win
the war and could dictate terms of
peace. In that event, Karl might be
compelled to abdicate, so that a pup
pet more agreeable to Germany could
be put on the throne at Vienna
That these Accommodations of distress
and diScord are causing uneasineSs to
the Teutonic leaders is apparent from
the recent utterances of Chancellor
Won Hertling, deploring a too arrogant
policy of reaction by the Prussian
junkers. These sources of unrest may
not by themselves cause a revolt, but
they may well contribute to that pur-
pose, once the allies begin winning
military victories against Hindenburg
In that possibility centers the chief
interest of the present domestic trou-
hIeS of the central ennireS