davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

hardly be said to have joined in the move
ment Among the particular industries
affected were munition factories in and
around Berlin and the shpyards at Ham
burg, Kiel and other coast towns. At no
point, so far as the censored German dis
patches Indicated did the movement take
on anything like a revolutionary charac-
ter. But there was political tendency
behind it. Here is what the strikers de-
manded, according to the Berlin "Vor-
warts which put forth the following as
their "ultimatum":
First-Accelerated conclusion of general
peace without indemnites or annexations.
Second Participation of Workmen's Dele
gates of all the countries in the peace pour
parlers.
Third -Ameioration of the food situation
by better distribution.
Fourth immediate abolition of the state
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

The New Haven Register" also though.
mat Germany must have had some ulterior
motive in letting the news 20 abroad
There is no doubt that Germany allows
the present tidings to come out as propa-
ganda." "The Buffalo Express" halted be-
tween the view that it was the beginning
OF a revolution and that it was mere ca
moufiage, "purposely reported outside Ger
many for some effect on the negotiations at
Brest-Litovsk
There were conflicting reports about the
official view at Washington. According to
one report, it was believed that the stories
OF the strike were sent out for their hoped
for effect upon the Allies; but the Wash
lngton correspondent Of "The New York
Times" reported just the opposite, namely,
that when the German censorship permits
the full story to reach the outside world
1T is the confident belief of official Wash
ington that it will disclose events of the
first magnitude in connection with the fut-
ure Of the Central Powers and of the war;
Some of the newspapers, however, found
sound reasons for rejecting the camouf1agc
Interpretation. "The New York Herald
pointed to the conferences between the
government and the Socialist Deputies
representing the strikers, and added:
"The fact that these conferences are being
held disposes of the theory advanced by some
persons in this country that the German
strike situation was manufactured by the
government for the purpose of influencing
public sentiment in this and other countries y
And "The Brooklyn Daily Eagle" inter
preted the declaration of martial law as
proof that the imperial government was
opposed to the strikes.
"The Springfield Republican" also founo
it impossible to take seriously the theory
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

to such a point that Europe will longer
possess the curative force that is necessary
to make her wounds close.
Judging from present appearances the
war must be fought through to the complete
exhaustion of Europe. Such is Americas
will, and also the will Of the French and
English governments. They boldly reject
those general goals of humanity because
they in them the pillars upon which
might be erected the great bridge between
the peoples
"Those are manifestations which leave no
room for mistake. But we must not let our
selves be deceived by Clemenceau and Lloyd
George. That unity behind their fronts OF
which they speak does not exist In France
as we'll as in England there forces at
work which do not want peace by force.
but only peace compatible with the honor
and security of their country. The enemy
ministers have been the first to reveal to
US how strong those forces are. Otherwise,
why does Clemenceau threaten to court
martial all those who support peace by
understanding; and why does Lloyd George
introduce censorship terrorism into the
House of Parliament itself? There is grow
ing up in enemy countries a sentiment that
the war baters are afraid Of Those who
cherish it may possibly come into power
But we dare not indulge any illusions; to-
day they are still without power and NAV
long remain SO.
"Out of this state OF affairs a double duty
arises, for we must gather together all our
national strength for the hard fight that is
still before US, and at the same time we
must strive to make it clear with what
sentiments are determined in contrast
to hostile governments, to take up the new
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

the Premiership, with a Cabinet composed
OF Liberals and Laborites." Until Lloyd
George speaks on the results of the con-
ference, this informant continues, British
labor can only consider the Versailles de-
cision "as reputation of their policy
regarding war aims" while it will be
viewed by many others as "a serious blow
to the plan for league of nations and a
setback to the Presidents policy
Perhaps the best general statement Of
those in England opposed to the new de-
cision is that to be found in the following
editorial from "The London Daily News"
particularly with regard to Alsace-Lor-
raine and a French generalissimo:
"The misgivings which the report Of the
Versailles conferences raised in the minds
of many sober critics have not been dimn-
ished on more mature reflection. The salient
fact to-day is that the government whose
nominees represented this country a. Yer
sailles has shown itself to be widely and in
creasingly out of touch with the trend and
spirit of the country. That creates dis
quieting situation and lays the foundation
for serious MISUNDERSTANDING.
There is the further question Of single
generalissimo on the Western front. 1t is
significant that on the morrow of the Yer
sailles nGussions the French press become
suddI1 Rquent on the military qualities
OF vch, as section Of the British
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10
Prince Max, Defending His Fatherland, D

ME signs OF the times in Germany
are growing more and more inter
estlng. For more than a week the
American press has been filled with re-
ports OF the great German strike, the
political background of which was a
demand of the working people for a
peace at once without annexations. The
latest German newspapers bring evidence
mat changing currents Of feeling are
also manifesting themselves in the higher
walks Of German life. If surface indi-
cations can be trusted there is already
marked drift away from the mailed fist
and the once so cherished "Hymn of
Hate"
The war has not achieved the objects
AIMED at by the military leaders, and the
sooerng effects Of disappointed hopes are
nndlng expression in very high quarters
One of the latest expressions Of that char
acter came from Prince Max Of Baden,
VINO IS first cousin of the Kaiser himself
fnnce Max is president Of the Upper
0hamber of the Baden legislature, and in
opening Its winter session about the mid
We Oh december he made speech which
mas attracted wide attention in the liberal
organs of Germany The prince is one Of
'ne most attractive characters in German
public life. Readers of Ambassador
uefard's book will probably recall the fine
u1oute he paid to the prince for his work
III oehalf Of prisoners of war confined in
Germany.
frlnce Max began his speech in some
"ang of the old strain, summarizing the
eaef events of the war in 1917 and then
discussing the publication of the Russian
uplomatlc archives. He asserted that
Mese revealed to all the world the
secret predatory plans of Germany's enc
mles; and of the Russian revolution he
sso that it was frankly adopting the slo-
eahs OF the Entente and "was arraigning
W Its inexorable pacifism those who were
"ying so shrewdly to combine pacifism
as phrase with a policy of conquest by
iorce of arms"
Inc speech continues for time to
"aopt tone which, though far milder
""h the tone of many Statesmen's utter
"Nces, still would not greatly rasp on the
'"'s OF the war lords. Thus:
IN France the popular will supported
,ta' a" oaures in July, 1914, when he demanded
ns AS france exert her whole influence for
ssace' Jean Jaures was murdered under
.." sefs from the war baitars. The French
,i.. ,.iYs.ernment, seeing signs of q popular up
n,s",e s'ne overcame it by publishing Germany's
,ys'ahation ~. of state of war danger with
W. making public Russa's order for q gem
~. si mobilization. English authorities re-
Iae' Ioes mat IN this way Germany's act of self
of f's"ce against Russia appeared as an act
r. "tsressien against Franco. Then the
M tb.h people naturally turned away from
tl ls enemy at home in order to protect their
co asened .sd country. The peoples will to
~ ~ " war was thus created 1t was falsifed
s.s. nn&ilsh neope, in the decisive hours,
!" / ~ Just as helpless against their govern
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10
IS IN kEJEC1NG all claims
Il be uncriical On all sides 6bh ax
groyine tired of the of the Sermon Mount It
that during the

right to have our non-combatants, particu-
larly our weak and sick, cared for More
over. President Wilson, after having under
taken the protection Of prisoners of war
in Russia. permitted them to be treated
negligently, heartlessly Under the old
regime in Russia our prisoners died by thou
sands, and that without America making
any use of its powerful means Of pressure
to compel better treatment. In France, too,
America was tolerant when the cruelty Of
the people was visiting upon our country
men every imaginable torture and disgrace
"President Wilson has no right to speak
in the name of democracy and liberty, for
he was the mighty war ally Of Russian Czar-
dom but he had deaf ears when the Rus
sian democracy appealed to him to allow
it to discuss peace conditions, or at least to
order no offensive, in order that it might
consolidate it's liberties.
at is a tragical fact Of this world war
that, for the great masses of the American
people, Europe ishistorically, psychologi-
cally and politically-an undiscovered con-
tinent. Every attempt at spreading infor-
nation is suppressed every movement tow
ard freedom of thought is tyranncally
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10
The Allied Council Pledges "War to a Clean Peace

TIME complete significance of the meet
ing and decision Of the Supreme War
Council of the Allies, which has just
adjourned at Paris, is yet to appear.
Judging from first press reactions, how
ever, this little-hailed conference and it's
decision will rank in Importance with
other famous Paris conferences, among
which might be mentioned that at which
Lloyd George made his explosive speech
and the more recent consultation which
Colonel House attended.
The session, which was comparatively
brief, was attended by Clemenceau and
Pichon for France, Lloyd George and Lord
Miner for England, Orlando and Sonnino
for Italy, and military representatives in
cluding Generals Weygand, Wilson, Ca
dorna, Bliss, Foch, Robertson, Alfieri,
Petain, Haig and Pershing.
The chief business Of the council was
it's answer to the German and Austrian
peace replies. The answer was stern
one:
"Thc council was unable to find in Won
IIertling's and Czernn's recent utterances
any real approximation to the moderate con-
ditions laid down by the Allies governments
Under the circumstances the council decided
that the only task before them to meet was
the vigorous and effective prosecution Of the
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

But the war came a great awakener
On all sides the hidden powers Of our people
have been stirred, and the lost opportun-
ties of our history have been resurrected.
Out at the front our people have learned
how many and what varied forces flow to-
gcther to constitute our strength. Our peo-
PIE in arms will some day come home with
steeled hearts, with steeled right
From the great will to unity that has
come into existence at the battlefront we
may venture to expect the best frutage for
Germanys future. The spirit of our poiti-
cal reformers, the spirit of Stein and
Hardenberg, energes to-day out of Ger
many's past. with warning, and yet with
promise. Whether that promise shall be
fulfilled depends solely upon the character
of our people Institutions alone cannot
guarantee the freedom of people There
is only one valid guarantee, the character Of
the people themselves. But there can be no
':oubt Of this: The longer the war lasts
all the harder will be the work of recon-
struction. Not only with us, but also in
enemy countries. On their side, too, it is
precisely the best men that are falling. Who
would rejoice at that? Things may come
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

that the strikes in Germany are only
bit Of tage-management, meant to induce
the proletariat in enemy countries to re-
volt"
The New York Tribune did not doubt
that the strikes were real, but was very
cautious in interpreting their meaning,
pointing out that "if the situation is as
serious as it looks through the haze it Is
the beginning Of Generalization in Ger
many. If it is not as serious as it looks,
it may be only fantastic" And this
paper, discussing the German threat of
putting down the strike by force of arms,
added Every country has it's Bolshe-
wiki, becoming more and more articulate;
and no country will destroy its Bolsheviki,
not even Germany, for the simple reason
that it isn't feasble"-going on to OBJ
serve that lit is a wise country that un-
derstands its own Bolsheviki. No people
can understand the Bolsheviki Of an
other"
The paper also suggested that strikes of
stlll greater dimensions would occur in
the United States, England, France and
Italy if food conditions were as bad as in
Germany, and inclined to the view that
this exploitation of German war weari-
ness is bit of pacifist propaganda rather
than an omen of German disorganization.
'The New York World" discounted the
political significance of the strikes upon
the score that the United States had more
labor troubles last year than Germany
The paper, however, saw certain politi-
cal significance in them, declaring:
ut cannot be said that German workmen
are striking against war or striking for an
immediate peace, but it is plain that they are
striking against the government and it's pol
icicSu
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10
irving the German Strike but Refusing to Get Excited
TIME great German strikes that came
to an end on Monday attrantad

n%HE great German strikes that came
to an end on Monday attracted
\ worldwide attention. Their vol
une appeared to justify the sensation they
.,,ated thss.gh many of the reports were
manifestly exaggerated. Thus, one dis
natch from Copenhagen reported 100000
workers as striking in greater Berlin, in.
t)uding only $4,000 women, but it is
certain that there cannot be so large a
number of men now employed in all the
Industries of greater Berlin.
The strikes apparently began in force
shout Monday, January 2s Their centre
was Berlin. but they also extended to
Hamburg. kel. Stettin, Dantzic, Leipsic,
Dusseldorf, and there was even a small
strike among Krupp's workmen at Essen.
The great industrial region of the Rhine
Province and Westphalia, however, can
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

taken at its face value. One view was that
the extent of the strikes had been purposely
exaggerated by the German government in
order to lull it's enemies into false Sc
curity. At London this skeptical attitude
was best represented by "The Daily Mail"
which argued that if revolution is talked
about in Germany it is because the Ger
man government wants it to be talked
about. 1t said further that it is virtually
true that no strike can happen there in
war times unless the government sees
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

crushed. Lord Northcliffe has just told how
the American government has spy system
which is said to operate still more efficiently
than the Russian Ochrana."
1t Doesn't Pay Not to
Criticise Ones Self
Then he assumes a grave mien, ad-
dressing his fellow countrymen:
"In rejecting, however, all claims Of our
enemies to assume the role of Judge let US
not be uncritical toward ourselves. We know
very we'll that there was a German servitude
(Unfreheit), but it lay not in the institu-
tlons of the German Empire, but in a cer-
tain intellectual attitude Of large classes Of
the German people. Our enemies speak Of
authorities who force their will upon an
unwilling people, and they arrogate to them
selves the downright grotesque role of liber-
%ting the German people from those tyrants.
we can only laugh Mt that. The trouble ay
much rather in the great Willingness Of
many Germans to adopt an indolent atti-
tude toward the authorities without assum-
ing any responsibility of their own for the
welfare OF the Fatherland
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

profit in it. And it regarded the move
ment as really an appeal to British and
French Workmen to strike.
"Ihe London Daily News" while reject
ing the more extravagant dispatches from
Germany, concluded, nevertheless, that
some of the spirit that dethroned the Rus
sian Emperor had permeated Germany.
1t added the following:
"The tide for which President Wilson has
so long and patiently cut the channel is
beginning to flow at last. A cleavage between
the German people and their rulers stands
revealed, but as yet the cleavage is no more
than an incipient one"
Comment by the American press pre-
sented wholesome contrast to the ex-
travagant optimism with which the little
mutiny in the German navy was hailed in
October. The overhopcful editors of that
time are now disposed to believe that the
making of revolutions is not a German
specially.
Tncredulity and Suspicion Are
1 At Once Stirred
Distrust of the news dispatches them
selves was expressed in typical way by
"The New York Globe" thus:
"The repute in which Germany is held is
strikngly shown by the reaction in practi-
cally all of the Allied countries to the news
of internal troubles in Germany. Incredulity
and suspicion are generally expressed. The
idea prevails that another war mannuvrc NAV
be afoot--that the German government wants
to give the impression that division in Ger
many exists, hoping thereby to create cor.
responding division elsewhere"
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10
\ n Army Without General
n To Direct Its Efforts

a noteworthy feature was that the
strike was without leadership. The great
trades union organizations, which repre-
sent the most trusted cohorts of the Social
Democracy, stood aloof; nor did the Social
ist leaders identity themselves fully with
it, Only after it had gotten we'll under
way did a number of the leaders Of the
two Socialist parties associate themselves
with it and assist in presenting the de-.
mands of the strikers to the government.
The Prussian Minister of the Interior, in
deed, refused to receive deputaton of the
strikers, but he conferred with the Social
list members of the Reichstag who acted
with them.
One Of these members of the Reichstag,
Dittmann--one of the men accused last Oc-
tober by Chancellor Michaelis and Marine
Secretary Capelle of completely in the
abortive mutiny in the navy--was arrested
while addressing strikers, and before the
end of last week he had already been tried,
evidently by a court martial, and SEN
fenced to five years. confinement in q
fortress.
IIlS, AIluccu, was puC OIlc luCIucIAC III VIC
high-handed procedure by which the mill
tary authorities finally squelched the
strike. Almost at the very beginning Of
it soldiers were placed on guard at all
munitions plants and about the shipyards
Of Hamburg and other towns. Martial
law was declared in threatening form.
At Berlin the military governor warned
the citizens against taking part in public
meetings, and that if arms should have to
be used to suppress disorders on the
streets no distinction would be made be-
tween guilty and innocent.
Finally the governor issued a peremp-
tory order to the men to report at their
factories for work at a. m. on Monday
of this week and showed that he was ready
to make the punishment fit the crime of
disobedience by adding the following
ominous words:
"Employes failing to resume work will be
to impose sentences Of death, execution to
take place within twenty four hours of the
time the sentence is imposed"
Characteristically enough, the same dis
patch which brought the above news also
reported on the strike situation, from a
semi-official source, as follows:
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10
The Moratorium of the Sermon
l On the Mount

And then he comes to the theme Of
hatred:
"a fearful responsibility rests to-day upon
those who guide the destnies of the peoples
That responsibility must also be borne bv all
those who at home, with watchful ewes and
burning hearts, are doing their part in this
war On all sides healing powers are listen
ing for each other; on all sides people are
growing tired Of the moratorium Of the Ser
mon the Mount Humanity longs to
hear its abolition announced even before the
war comes to end. The Christian man, Sir
William Bvles, just deceased who uttered
those awful words about the moratorium OF
the Sermon on the Mount was thinking not
Ct the unavoidable horrors that occur on the
battlefield, but of the heather way Of think
ing that many men of intellectual ennence
IN al countries have adopted almost with
pride during this war.
ut is necessary that even during the war
We turn from this brutalizing influence of
war Here. too, the best spirit Of the army
can guide US. For a Christian soldier the
spirit OF the Red Cross is just as necessary
Tor an army as its offensive spirit. In his
mind the soldier who does not exert all his
energy to destroy the fighting enemy negects
his duty just much as the soldier who
gives no quarter to the d:sarmed foe In
similar spirit reports come from England
cording to which the English clergy have
learned from the fighting troops respect for
their enemies, a respect that will rot toll
crate the dictatorship Of the venomous press.
"In the appeal of the Information and Aid
Bureau for Germans abroad and foreigners
IN Germany occurs sentence which | will
quote here: The love Of ones enemies even
IN war is the sign of those who are true to
the Lord l should ike to supplement that
sentence thus: Il is also the sign OF those
who are true to GERMANY it has been as
serted that hatred is necessary in order to
continue the war with energy, but the an
swer to that was given by German princess:
Love for our Fatherland IS sufficient to make
US give our best
Power alone cannot assure us the posi-.
ton in the world which we think ourselves
entitled to. The sword cannot cut down the
moral opposition that has raised itself against
US. If the world Is to become reconcied
to the magnitude of our power. it must feel
that behind it is a world conscience in
dorse that sentiment. in order to meet that
requirement we have only to open up the por-
tails of our inmost hearts, for the feeling
OF responsibility to humanity illumines tho
whole range of Germany's intellectual his,
tory Germany can confidently write than
sign upon its banners. In that sign We shall
conquer"
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

"The Washington Post" made this wise
inference:
"The only moral to be drawn by the Allies
from the tragi comedy played at Berlin is
that thew must not relax their efforts to
achieve victory by tie strength Of their arms.
Let not the forces of the Allies be
lulled into a sense of false security by the
hope that the Kaiser's hold upon his subjects
is crumbling."
I linking 1t Up With the
l. Russian Revolution
Some papers interpreted the strikes as
due to the influence of the Russian revolu-
New-York tribune., 1918-02-10

ment. They took no account of the fact
that Grey had in his hands an infallible
means for preserving the worlds peace. He
only needed to add to the warning he sent
to Russia on July 25-not to break up the
diplomatic negotiations by ordering a gen.
eral mobilization, the words which Beth
mann Hollweg sent to the Austrian govern
ment on July 80, we refuse to permit our
selves to be drawn into world conAagra-
tion through disregard of our advice on the
part of our ally and he would have saved
the peace of the world. 1t is only with diff
Guilty that the French and English govern
ments able to-day to maintain before
the peoples the pose of innocence suddenly
and violently attacked.