Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-07-25
Thursday, July IS, 1918.
Let the German People Decide

nov. editors II was the admission
by Leading newspapers of Germany
that the German offensive has failed,
that Gen Foch has built up reserve
army that has enabled him to Wrest
the initiative from the German high
command that ''the entire strategi-
cal plan ~ Hndenburg is compro
missed by tho attack on the Aisne-
Marne". that Foch's blow may com
Pei ,he crown princes army ito re-
treat under most unfavorable cir
oumr,ances that "the fact must be
no longer hidden that German de-
serters have made use OF their
knowledge TO betray their country"
when q half dozen leading news
papers Of the empire bluntly an
nolnce these things, then the peo-
pie mus, learn Of the duplicity Of the
military masters. Some OF them will
understand that they have sacrlficed
their sons in a mad chance stroke to
save the precious necks Of autoc-
raoy Most Of them will realize that
they have been deliberately lied to,
Up to the last hour. by reports that
every move was successful and that
they were slaughtering the allied
forces in great numbers
But more important than its imme-
diate effect upon the people Of Ger
fuence II will have upon the people
OF Austria Hungary. this acknowl-
edEement. at last. that the allies have
become too strong for failing Ger
many. tha the Prussian military
masters have been outclassed by the
allied reneralissimo: that America
has turned the scale and is increas-
inr her forces by an army every
week, and that the only course Is re-
treat
How will the news hit the Aus
tru- Hungarian ranks already in re-
treat themselves. and at the point of
mutinous outbreak because Of their
own deprivations and discomfort?
Up 10 the present the Huns can
vengefully sink unarmed ships along
our coast. for the sake OF showing
their hatred and not because it re-
turns them the slightest war ad-
vantage. but soon we shall be in a
position where we can say
Call of your undersea pirates oil
well blow every city OF Germany in
10 kindling wood, from our ali
feet"
Not only must the German peopI.
know that her army is no longer III,
most powerful but they must bt
shown that when we are ready tc
sdop. rrussian methods OF fright
fulness we shall make short work O
the Hohenzollerns, OF militarism. anc
OF hymns OF hate.
German peace offensives were re
Jeoted. months ago. by America ant
the allies. Now her greatest mill.
tary offensive Is admitted a complet,
failure. The two together should
spell 10 tho Kaiser and the masses
the inevitable result: The end o!
Prussian militarism. the end of Ho.
hon=ollern negotiations Cfor no powe,
will deal with them) the end OF an,
and all claims outside the German
boundaries, east or west, north G.
south. and the sure dictation Of last
iny world peace terms by Americ;
and the entente allies.
II the people Of Germany and Aus
tria Hungary permit degenerate
rulers and their nutocratic clacke,
tn continue the war. they will bu
prolons their own agony and increas
the awful and progressive cost. Th
time TO end the war is when the,
realize absolute defeat. The German
people should have known the sur
result before the great drive" gam
bic VAS begun. but they had beel
cruelty deceived. Now they know.
The people OF Germany and o
Austria Hungary. Turkey and Blu,
garia. can have peace any time the,
ask for It, but 1t will not include an,
loot OF territory to reward Prussial
pir-.tes and cutthroats, on any side
and II will include restoration O
Belgium. indemnities TO Serbia, Ri
mania and Poland, return of Alsac,
Lorraine 10 France. and practica
disarmament OF nation so untrust
worthy and devilish at heart as tn
German people have proven them
selves TO be.
The central allies can hold out an
70 on. IL they will. or they can pu
tho cost OF the next campaign int
the settlement Of peace terms mad
now. OF one thing they may be Ger
tAin: NO German" peace will eve
- acoeptsd by the world.
1hA big news of.the passing da.
IN oarnd snsaass7 f. p; ;ssries. 4. tn.