The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-10-25
Germany, Admittedly Defeated,
Is Now Squirming to Pre-
vent Utter Disaster.
GREAT CIVIL UpHEAvAl ON
Austria and Turkey Ready to Quit
Huns, Forced by Allies, Begin Gen.
eral Retreat From Belgium
Still Resisting FierceIy in
Champagne.
BY EDWARD w. PlCkARD.

Squirming, lodging, wailing, the
German imperial government seemed
last week to be on its last leg. Thick
and fast came the rumors of uncon-
ditional surrender and of the abdica-
ton of the kaiser, and though these
were unconfirmed or contradicted as
fast as they came out, enough au-
thentic news seeped through the veil
of secrecy to show that things were
lr a desperate state in Germany Its
peace trap was sprung harmlessly by
President Wilson when, In reply to
what at first glance looked like full
acceptance of his terms, he told the
government fatty that only absolute
equalization would be considered and
that the allies would not listen at all
while the Huns occupied allied terri
tory and continued to perpetrate out
RACES on land and sea. Any persons
who may have had doubts concerning
the flrmness of the presidents will and
purpose were joyfully treasured, and
the answer created CONSERVATION In
Berlin. The German press admitted
that 1t was great blow to their rising
hopes of peace, and the ruling minds
of the empire began to try to find
some other way Of escape from the
desperate situation. AS preliminary,
some democratiZlng amendments to
the constitution were adopted or pro-
posed, notably one taking from the
emperor the right to declare war. The
power of the junkers was sapped,' to-
rether with that of their war lord
F.! There was, indeed, evidence that a
civil upheaval Of extraordinary pro-
| portions was beginning which, ever
! more than the great military reverses
would bring on q dssbaacle for Germany
| The governments, the fighting forces
md the civilian peoples of all the al
| lied nations made 1t absolutely plail
| that Germany could not obtain the
"peace without humiliation" which i
Is seeking. Nowhere among them Il
found any sentiment of pity for either
the brutal sodiery that has ravishet
the earth or the people who have sup
ported and rejoiced over the inhu
.manity of the armed forces. The de
mand for exact justice is universe
outside the lands Of the offenders. |
would not be in the least surprising l
the Prediction made In these column
many months ago were fulfilled, name
w. that one Of the conditions of peac
VIII be that Germany surrender tn
kaiser and other instigators and pei
petrators Of frightfulness for persona
punishment. With this spirit prevail
ing among the now victorious allies
what chance has Germany for peac
without humiliation?
The ahdicntion Of the kaiser, whlc
after all would be but incidental, wa
considered likely. and 1t was reporte
that he intended to step down in favo
Of Prince William Frederick, oldes
son Of the crown prince, who Is onl
twelve years old.
-
President Wilson delayed his repl
to the peace proposals of Australian
gary and Turkey, probably in orde
that the truth about their hopeless ST
uation might soak into their mind
and reports showed they were reali
: ing the facts and beginning to act a.
Cordingly. The breakup of the du,
: Kingdom became more imminent, tn
Hungarians openly declaring their II
tention to separate from Austria, tn
Poles. Croats and Bohemians boldly cor
, ing out for independence. The COVER
ment made despairing plans to hol
, the empire together in the form of
.. confederation of the various national
ties. but this did not seem to interel
the peoples who have suffered so Ion