Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-17
German Maneuvers.

Runors Of German capitulation are
Tying, accompanied by unconfrmed
announcements of the abdication Of the
kaiser. The purpose of these state
ancnts is obviously to keep peace talk
IN circulation, 4 desperate effort Of the
German autocracy to secure terms
moro favorable than those certain to
be imposed in the event of military
victory. But in the light of the Presi-
dents statement of the case in his
note of last Monday these efforts must
tail. The case was explicitly put by him
then, and it has been accepted as rep
resentatiye of the position of the other
nations Of the alliance against Ger
many.
"Capitulation" by the present Ger
nan government can only mean IN
conditional surrender if peace is to fol-
low. Abdication by the kaiser alone will
not change this situation. There can
be no negotiations for peace with the
German government as at present con-
stituted, whoever may be at its head
Changes within the Hohenzollern dy-
nasty will not suffice. The military
autocraey of Germany furthermore
comprises many others than the royal
family. 1t is a system, and that sys-
tenn must be changed radically before
there can be dealings toward peace.
1t is stated from Copenhagen that
the German federal council has accept
ed proposed amendment to the con-
stitution whereby the consent of that
council and the reichstag is required
'icr declaration of war in the name
'of the empire, except in case where
.ard pcrial territory has already been in
tvaded or its coasts attacked. The
taraendment further requires that "trea-
tiles of peace and treaties with foreign
states which deal with affairs coming
under the competence of the imperial
Iasgiving bodies require the consent of
thu federal council and the reichstag."
This may be a real step toward such
h change in the German government
as Will lead to the elimination of .au-
rocraey. But it will not suffice. There
is no guarantee OF its permanence. The
federal council comprises sixty one
members appointed by tho govern
mcuts of the individual states of Ger
many. It is essentially representative
Ior the autocracy. It's presiding officer
rs The chancellor of the empire, direct
&asent of and responsible only to the
icnperor. Constitutional changes voted
fly such body can be repealed. The
Essential of permanent reform is lack
ting.
Tomorrow, it is announced, the
freichstag will meet to discuss Pres
edent Wilson's note. But discussion will
inot necessarily lead to conclusion The
freichstag is body without power. It
Jean only gain power to the end Of
permanent change in the form of gov
sernment and the installation Of real
4popUlar rule by a revolution.
1t was yesterday stated in Copen-
5hagen dispatch that the German su-
fprenle command would 60 to Berlin at
fthe end of the present week 'to de-
*Iberate on mobilization, concentra-
stion of the national strength, and the
,1a:sing Of the military age" If true
this indicates q determination by the
berlin government to continue the
fight "to the las. man." as the kaiser
recently exclaimed in an appeal to the
German people. If that is true the
tissue will be cast definitely. That
kmeans fight to finish, and the finish
seannot be questioned.