Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-25

A0ICn 5, 1919.
Foreign representatives: Cone. Lor-
enzen d Woodman. Advertising BIos.
Chicago: 225 Fifth Ave-. New 1oss
City: sos Victor Bldg, Kansas CITY
No.
THE FACT ABOUT GERMANY.
It is not always the most pleasant
course, but it certainly is wisest tc
face every danger understandingly and
to estimate it 1T its true strength rath
er than to underestimate it. 1t Is fol
that reason, and not because OF oul
possession of more facts that arr
known to the remainder OF the Ameri
can public, that The Courier has made
every effort to bring its readers to a
realization of the uselessness OF ex
pecting a weakening Of the German
morale or a revolution within the EN-
pire which would put the kaisers
armies out of the reckoning IN the
war
The comment on Germany by those
neutrals and Americans who are In
formed and who cannot be suspected
OF writing in accordance with German
dictation or inspiration confirms this
attitude. We see less Of the optimistic
prophecies OF German collapse than
We saw a few months ago. AS the
time approaches for the resumption OF
fighting along the European battle
lines information comes to the Amerl-
can reading public that Germany is
preparing for a gigantic offensive
early in the spring and is worrying but
little over the political situation with
In the empire.
Frederick William Vile, an exper-
fenced and dependable European OBJ
server and correspondent who has
spent several years in Germany. de-
clares that the reports OF serious In
ternal crisis in Germany are issued FOR
American consumption and are made,
II not out OF whole cloth. at least with
a foundation of very little truth.
Mr.. Vile says Hindenburg is the
real ruler of Germany, that his reputa.
ton as military genius has enshrined
him in the esteem of the German pub.
tic and has given him such powers
over the people that he can command
allegiance from the vast majority OF
Germans In any undertaking he may
father, so long as he continues success.
full on the battle field.
(. Mr.. Vile quotes Heine, whom he
calls the keenest student Of Prussian
psychology, as saying that revolution
In Germany was impossible because
verboten," and adds that this is literal
" true despite its cynicism. The only
Prussian who ever would lead a revo-
luton. Mr.. Vile says, is Leibknecht.
= g. d.. coVvStn6o
The following paragraph from Mr..
WIle's article sums up the political sit.
nation in Germany:
Hindenbury is supreme dictator
a Germany Ludendorff is the &C.
tual generalissimo under Won Hin
denburg, whose popularity Is now
so great that practically anything
can be accomplished by invoking
=.
The kaiser has never been SO
HHuch in the hands of the military
despots as he is today. He is en-
peror no longer by divine right
but by grace of the Great God
Hindenburg.
The crown prince is thick and
thin supporter of Hindenburgism.
Chancellor Hertling is linden
burg's political manager.
Foreign Secretary Kuehlmann is
Oermitted to do only what is or
1ered. His Brest-Litovsk tactics,
Ar from irritating Hindenburg.
are dictated by him-and are al
terable II and when Hmdenburg
decides it is necessary. Kuehl
mann will go or stay according to
Hindenburg's pleasure.
The reichstag today is precisely
what Bismarck founded forty
seven years ago-merely an i'm
perial debating society, where the
peoples representatives blow off
steam and can call the government
names without police interference
Its only vestige of power is in the
voting Of funds, which duty it has
performed dutifully.
It is a waste of time for Americans
10 count on action from within Ger
many inimical to the ultimate success
Of the kaiser's armies. Although there
Is no doubt that the German soldiers
are tired OF war, they remain the Ger
man soldiers, urged on to follow out
their commands by a fear which is
their heritage from line Of ancestors
who knew only despotic laws and Gus
toms. The Germans will not stop
fighting until the United States makes
them STOP They will not be in men
tai attitude suitable for considering a
lasting world peace until their armies
have been pushed back across the en-
pire's frontiers and there remains no
hope for military ascendancy.
STONES OUTeURST.
(From Mondays Daily.)
Senator Stone is running perfectly
true to form in flying into q partisan
rage as a climax to months Of more
or less repressed brooding over the
war and the issues it has raised. The
charge he makes, that republicans in