Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-10-25
NEWS review OF
The Great WAR
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 Fiercely in
Champagne.
BY EDWARD W. PIckARp.


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 unconf1rmed or contradicted as
fast as they came out, enough au-
thentic news seeped through the veil
of secrecy to show that things were
In 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
capitulation 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 firmness of the presidents will and
purpose were joyfully reassured, and
the answer created CONSERVATION in
Berlin. The German press admitted
that it was a 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 a preliminary,
some democratizing 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-
gether with that of their war lord.
There was, indeed, evidence that a
civil upheaval Of extraordinary pro-
portions was beginning which, even
more than the great military reverses,
would bring on debacle for Germany.
-A-
The governments, the fighting forces
and the civilian peoples of all the al
lied nations made it absolutely plain
that Germany could not obtain the
"reace without humiliation" which it
is seeking. Nowhere among them is
found any sentiment of pity for either
the brutal soldiery that has ravished
| the earth or the people who have sup
| ported and rejoiced over the fnhu-
manity of the armed forces. The de-
| nand for exact justice is universal
| outside the lands of the offenders. It
would not be in the least surprising II
| The prediction made in these columns
many months ago were fulfilled. name
| ty. that one OF the conditions of peace
| will be that Germany surrender the
| 1,oi ofl t,acf iovu& &nrc
| petrators of frightfulness for personal
punishment With this spirit prevail
$ng among the now victorious allies,
what chance has Germany for peace
without humiliation?
The abdicatiOn of the kaiser, which
after all would be but incidental, was
considered likely. and it was reported
that he intended to step down in favor
of Prince William Frederick. Oldest
son Of the crown prince. who Is only
twelve years old.
President Wilson delayed his reply
~ the peace proposals Of Austria-Hun
gary and Turkey, probably in order
that the truth about their hopeless sit
nation might soak into their minds
and reports showed they were realiZ
ing the facts and beginning to act ac
cordingly. The breakup of the dual
kingdom became more imminent, the
Hungarinns openly declaring their in
tention to separate from Austria. the
Poles, Croats and Bohemians boldly com
ing out for independence. The govern
mert made despairlng plans TO hold
the empire together in the form of 9
confederation of the various nationali
ties, but this did not seem TO Interest
the peoples who have suffered so lone