The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-03
AUTOCRACY WEAKENS
IN CENTRAL POWERS
Warrington Sees Many Signs
Of Democratic Awakening.

WASH IkoroN, Oct 2.-Sigus are multi
plying in reports reaching the state
Department from various agencies in
neutral European countries OF the rapid
weakening Of the despotic control which
the military elements in Germany and
Austria have imposed upon the civilian
population. So extensive and consequent
tial are the events quickly following one
another in Berlin and Vienna that Amer
lean officials are becoming convinced that
the imperial rulers nave been forced.
poweve- reluctantly, to the conviction
that II they are to preserve their dyn-
asties from destruction they must yield
to the growing demands or the civilian
elements for the right Of participation in
the Government during this crisis
The military parties have retained
their control only because Of their as
serted ability to secure a military de-
,cision that would confirm German su-
premacy over Continental Europe and
the British Isles as we'll. Now that the
German armies are being defeated and
driven back into Germany and the ma
ton Is confronted with the painful GER
| tainty of an invasion and retributive
justice for the wrongs inflicted upon the
French and Belgians. the influence of
pan-Germans and military parties is
waning and It is believed that the two
Emperors have decided that II they are
to retain the support Of the people they
must turn to the civilian parties that
have been demanding voice In affairs.
Meeting Wilson's Terms.
1t was pointed out to-day that Presi-
dent Wilson has repeatedly declared
that with the military rulers OF the Cen
trail Powers convicted Of broken faith
and deceit, there can be no discussion
Of the peace for which the Germanlc
people apparently are clamoring. Hence
the belated attempts OF the Emperors to
erect a structure of real democratic Gov
eminent through the creation of cabinets
responsible to the parliaments In the
hope that with these the Entente states
men will be willing to confer about
peace.
Indications OF such a purpose are dis
cerned by American officials in various
utterances and acts Of the German and
Austrian leaders. In his acceptance of
the resignation of Premier Won Hertling.
Emperor william appealed to the strong
men of Germany TO come to his aid and
share the burdens of Government, a d.
rect bid for the support of the Socialists
and Centrists in return for participation
In the Cabinet
leading German newspapers significant
because they have passed the scrutiny
Of the German censors that the crea-
ton OF a responsible Cabinet Is under
consideration. Next Is the refusal OF
the Socialists to enter the Government
as at present constituted. indicative Of
a determination-to hold out for the
right of the majority party in the
Reichstag to name the members OF the
Cabinet, even though that involves the
change of the German constitution.
As a half way measure and In a
desperate effort to save the Imperial
prerogative Emperor William already
has tried the expedient of himself Sc
Letting leaders of the opposition parties
for minor places In the Cabinet and
promising to forward the enactment OF
popular measures. But the Socialists
have generally declined to accept any
thing short Of absolute control through
the Reichstag of the Cabinet. without
reference to the wishes of the Emperor
and officials believe that at length they
are about to realize their aspirations.
Such a change In Germany doubtless
would be followed. II not indeed pre-
coded, by a similar revolution In Aus
TRAN Parliamentary government, and II
Ia fully expected that as soon as real
representative government is a fact In
the Central Empires there will be an
irresistible movement toward peace.
even on tho terms laid down by Presi-
dent Wilson.
Austria's Big Men Called.
In this connection the news to-day
that the Austrian Emperor had sum-
moned to Vienna the three biggest men
of Hungary, Counts Tisza. Andrassy and
Apponyi was received here with undis-
Ruised interest. This action was re-
garded as very significant. although Of
ficials were not certain whether 1t had
to do with the Bulgarian withdrawal
from the war with Its direct threat to
the dual monarchy. or with internal re-
forms, or was q definite move for sep
arate peace.
II was suggested here to-day that
the Emperor may be trying to FORM n
coalition Cabinet to pacify as far as
possible ths>troubles OF the nations OF
the empire. II was regarded as entirely
possible that the spirit OF detection has
reached stage not known outside of
Of the empire which requires drastic
action or promises Of great reforms.
In the official view. however. there 10
no possibility OF the pacification OF the
Czecho-slavs. who have been recog-
nized by all the Allies as an independ-
-