South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-08
IrternationaI News Service

International News Service:
AMSTERDAM, Jan. S.-The Ger
man empire is confronted by one
Of the greatest crises in its history
as result of the conflict between
the political government and the
high command of the army, and the
necessity Of making a decision that
viii solve the gigantic problem rests
with the kaiser himself.
Information as to the grave sit
uation in Germany was secured in
diplomatic circles at The Hague to-
day. according TO dispatches reach
ing here.
The emperor conferred all day
Sunday with members of the gen
eral staff and the minister Of war.
Holds Long Conference.
The kaiser also held a long con-
ference with the newly appointed
field marshal, Won Wyrsch. who dis
tinguished himself in the fghting on
the eastern front.
News of the momentous develop
ments which have arisen in Ger
many followed a report that Gen.
Won Ludendorff the brains of the
German army" had resigned, but
this was subsequently denied.
The domestic struggle in Ger
many had its inception in dissensions
over the peace terms offered by
Germany to Russia.
The militarists stood out for an
nexations. while the moderates, sup
porting the principle Of no annexa-
tions. were said to have enlisted the
kaiser in their behalf.
Future Is Involved.
So grave is the internal conflict
in Germany that some go so far as
TO predict that the future fate Of
the German empire may depend
upon the steps which the kaiser
takes to solve the problem.
There were hints Of militaristic
uprising if the kaiser rejects the
peace program Of the Pan Germans
and the junkers.
The whole affair has been made
more critical by the demands of
! Austria-H Hungary for peace and the
insistent demands of the socialists
thai the Russian terms be accepted.
The militarists headed by Won
Hindenburg, Won LudenGvr:, Won
Tirpitz and the crown prince are
said 10 have made veiled threats Of
the most serious character unless
their imperialistic war aims are
given full support by the emperor.
1t is generally believed now that
the real reason why the German
government refused TO transfer the
Brest Iitovsk parley 10 Stockholm
was that III socialist influence
might prove an Improvement over
that of the diplomats and military
men taking part in the conference.
Breach Becoming Wider.
The breach between the Pan
Germans and the anti-anneXationist
group led by Philip Scheidemann,
DR.. Haase and Dir. Erzberger, is be-
coming wider, and it is reported, but
without any definite confirmation,
that some of the German radicals
are already i'm communication with
Russian socialists and are support
ling the Russians stand.
Or. Won Kuehlmann. the German
foreign minister. faces the gravest
predicament he has faced since he
took office. The Pan-Germans and
junkers are attacking him for offer
ing cheap terms TO Russia and for
lack Of frmness, while the German
: socialists are condemning him for
insisting upon the retention Of
Austro- German soldiers in occupied
Russian territory.
May Declare Political Revolt"
The socialists at their meeting on
Sunday are reported 10 have re-
solved upon a political revolt" un-
less the government stands by the
peace bloc resolution passed by the
reichstag last July. This resolution
calls for peace without forced an
nexations nor indemnities.
The peace situation in Germany
may be influenced 70 some extent by
/ the hostile criticism in the German
/ press OF Premier Lloyd Georges war
aim speech but IL Is too early yet
10 see what the real effect OF the
speech will be.