The sun., 1918-10-05
DUTCH ASK PEACE
AT VIENNA'S BID
Continued from First Page.


land to approach all belligerents on the
subject Of opening peace negotiations
and that the Dutch Government has al
ready begun TO take the matter UP with
the nations involved. This Government,
II was said tonight. has so far heard
nothing, but another peace move has
been momentarily expected here.
The German version Of Hollands part
IN the matter 10 regarded as being open
TO much suspicion. II Austria has APP
preached the Dutch Government and re-
auested that the belligerents be APP
prised OF the Austro- Hungarian Gov
ernment's desire TO enter peace nego-
tiations II Ii only natural that The
Hague has at once transmitted the gist
Of Austria's note to the United States
and the Entente. But the implication
from Berlin IL that Holland has virtu-
ally invited the belligerents TO peace
conference or to open peace negotiations,
which, II Ia explained. Is a very different
thing from merely acting as intermedi-
airy for Austria Hungary.
There is tendency in some quarters
to believe that Austria is ready to sue
for an armistice and peace under terms
similar to those accepted by Bulgaria,
but this idea is not encouraged in re-
sponsible circles
The reported Austrian move Is viewed
simply as n typical made in Germany
ruse and probably inspired by the Will
helmstrasse In Berlin. Austrias sur
render would be willingly accepted. but
the Entente and the United States are
not going to be hoodwinked into nego-
tiations or discussions preliminary to
surrender
Signs accommodating here within the
last forty-eight hours have all tended
IN claA hat W
in process Of being Matched by the Teu-
ton diplomatists. In Germany the scene
appears to have been prepared DELHI
erately by the selection of Prince Maxi
milan of Baden as Chancellor and the
naming OF Deputies Scheidemann. So
cialist, and Groeber OF the Centrist or
Catholic party, as Cabinet ministers
without portfolio.
These selections are regarded here as
an obvious effort of the German war
leaders to make 1t appear that a step in
the direction OF democratic government
had been taken. The advantage Of the
move from the standpoint OF internal
politics is that Il appears to reflect lib
eralism and consolidation OF various fac
lions at the same time.
Prince Macmillan. II is pointed out IL
just the sort OF middle of the road man
who might be counted upon to serve the
Governments interests best at this time.
Entirely under the domination of I'M
peral militarism, az every German Chan
cellor must necessarily be. Prince Maxi
milan is, however, we'll suited to play
the role OF a liberal looking after the
peoples interests and opposing such
measures as the conquest of Belgium and
the prolongation OF the war for terrific
rial ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
Scheidemann has apparently been sin
cere in opposing the retention OF Bel
GUM. but has been regarded as a sort
Of stool pigeon for the war party while
posing az a man somewhat after the
Nikolai Lenine type.
Selection of GrOeber.
Tho selection OF Groeber Is viewed in
diplomatic circles "a simply a cannon
fiage TO make 1t appear that the Catholic
party, so called. in Germany is now to
be solidly behind the imperial war mas
ter. The Centrum, or catholic party.
held together under its leader Or. Peter
SPAIN, but when Erzberger attempted TO
guide it It broke into various factions
and since then has never been unit on
anything.
The fact that socialis, is now in the
Cabinet really means nothing. 1t is ex.
planned. Even before the war the party
in the Reichstag which controlled the
greatest number of votes was the Soc
list or Social Democrat party. This So
ciaiist party, however. consists of vari-
Gus elements. the great majority OF
which stood behind the military auto
Gratis on everything pertaining TO mill
tary measures.
On its face, however, Germany may
say that the group OF new leaders rep
resents liberalism. Now that there "a no
chance for Germany TO hold Belgium
Prince Macmillan and Scheidemann
may be expected openly TO advocate its
liberation and even may urge the evac-
uation of conquered territory in France
as proof of Germany's democracy" The
trend OF the changes in Germany
strongly indicate to officials here that
the next move in Ike next peace props-
ganda game Is on
Austria Is known TO be strainng
every nerve TO initiate peace regotia.
tons now. The recent conferences of the
Austrian Emperor with Baron Won
Burian and the Austrian Chief OF stan
are believed 10 have been connected With
the peace move