The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-11-23
Central Europe In a Turmoil Of
Revolution, With the Social
lists on Top.
RULERS ABANDON THRONES
Germanys Plea for Food viii Be
Granted by AIlIes-Mutlny OF Fleet
May Hamper ArmIstice-Pre-
dlctlons as to the Peace
Conference.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.

BY EDWARD w. PICkARD.
Falling thrones and fleeing kings and
princes; maelstrom of social revolu-
ton and military mutiny soviets of the
workers and soldiers In control, and
former autocrats In hiding
That in brief Is the condition In cen
trail Europe, following the cessation Of
hostilities. How it will all end not
the wisest statesmen can conjecture.
Quick work by level-headed leaders
may direct Alright the great movement
and bring out Of the chaos orderly and
firmly grounded governments Of and
for the people At present It seems
that favorlte Jest has become sober
fact and that the big task now is to
make democracy safe for the world.
In Germany the Socialists are estab-
fishing themselves under the leadership
of their chancellor, Friedrich Ebert,
brainy and highly esteemed man. The
several factions of the party appear
to be working in some harmony, and
the bolsheviki, though yet In the de-
cided minority, have been given recog-
milton which Is encouraging them to
demand more. In Berlin, where the
German republic was proclaimed there
has been intermittent fighting between
the revolutionists and some officers and
troops that remained loyal to the old
order, and in some other cities there
were conflicts; but on the whole the
change has been accomplished with re-
markedly little violence. The leaders
occupy the reichstag building in Berlin
and are striving to put the affairs of
life on a normal basis.
In the allied countries there was a
shrewd suspicion that the revolution
was being fostered and directed under
cover by the leaders of the old govern
ment in the hope that through 1t they
might be spared some Of the rigors Of
the peace settlement. Such, too was
the explanation Of the establishment
Of republic in Bavaria, and In Schles-
wig Holstein, which states now say
they will become parts Of the new Ger
man republic.
The man In the street, and most of
the newspapers, In America, England
and France, did not at first look kindly
on Doctor Soils appeal to President
Wilson that the allies take steps to
save the people of Germany from star
walton. 1t savored of impudence, COM
ing from a representative Of the peo-
pie who starved Belgium, Serbia Po-
land and Roumania without qualm Of
conscience. But the allied govern
ments have looked at the matter In a
different light and, probably wisely,
have determined to supply to the Ger
mans such food as can be spared, not
only for humanity's sake but on the
theory that order can be more quickly
and easily restored among a well-fed
people. If the excuses Of the starving
Russians were repeated In Germany 1t
might be difficult to carry out the
terms of the armistice. The feeding of
hungry Germany, becomes a common
sense business proposition. Herbert c.
Hoover already has sailed for Europe
to direct the distribution of food.
Ia
The Socialists in control though
wailing at the terrible harshness" of
the armistice terms, declare they will
do all they can to obey them. On land
this will not be so hard, but the naval
situation has been complicated by the
seizure Of most of the German feet and
of the fortified island of Helgoland by
revolving sailors. These men saw, In
the surrender and dismantling of the
war vessels, the end of their livelihood,
so they took possession Of the ships
and sailed from some of the ports.
Their future plan of action, If they
have any, 10 misty. When the allies