The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1918-11-16

In effect, all this would mean the
absolute surrender of Germany, and
the allies would be in position to dica
tate and enforce any peace arrange
ments they saw fit to make. 1t Is the
intention of the allied governments,
and the ardent desire of the allied
armies and peoples, that nothing less
than this shall be demanded of Ger
many. Whether the Huns have yet
been brought to condition where
they will accept such terms was ques-
ton. Many military authorities be-
lieve they will elect to fight for
while longer before submitting so abb
jectly and millions Of the soldiers and
civilians of the allied nations fervent-
ly hope this will be the case. 9th
erwise, they feel, Germany would es-
cape too easily from suffering some of
those horrors of war which her armed
forces have ruthlessly inflicted on 9th
ers and over which her people have
gloated with savage glee. OF course
no such deliberate inhumanities as the
German soldiers have practiced could
or would be practiced by the troops Of
the allies but the German cities and
towns could be made to feel the ter
rible hardships that accompany Occur
patton by an invading enemy, and the
inhabitants could be taught lesson
that would 60 far toward lettering
them from ever supporting a war of
aggression, even If their rulers wee
left with the power to start such
conflict. The allies are not vindictiye.
but they intend that stern justice shall
be melted out to Germany; and In this
the American soldiers who have seen
what has been done to Belgium and
northern France are If possible, more
determined than the soldiers of any
other nation. They and all right-mind
ed Americans at home, feel that
sloppy sentimentality of the forgive
your-enemy" order has no place In
dealings with the Huns.
-@-
If Germany accepts the terms of the
armistice and begins to carry them
out in apparent good faith, the great
war may be considered as virtually
ended. This, however, does not mean
that peace will be negotiated with the
present government of Germany.
Prince Max the chancellor, sought
again last week to reassure President
Wilson as to the genuineness of the
German reforms by which the people
are supposed to have come into con-
troll of the government. But Mr.. Will
son, as well as the governments Of
Great Britain and France, is more
than skeptical. 1t is true that the. COM
mon people of Germany are being al
lowed to speak and even to act as
never before, but 1t is far from GER
tain that the powers of government
apparently granted to them cannot be
wiped out in moment by the kaiser
and his masters, the junkers, when
they have attained their ends. The
whole matter Of German governmental
laws and methods Is too complicated
for discussion in these columns, but 1t
will repay careful study by those who
wish to keep abreast of the current of
events.
Despite repeated demands. In the
press and public speeches, that he abb
dictate, the kaiser refuses to sacrifice
himself for the good of his country.
He is reported to have said he would
be willing to become the hereditary
president of Germany, and also that
when he considers the right moment
has come, he will step down from his
throne. The Socialist papers, especial
ly, have been denouncing him and his
associates bitterly, and the fact that
this has gone unpublished, shows that
the autocracy is losing ground fast.
The resignation of Gen. Erich Luz
dendorff, first quartermaster general
and considered the brains" of the
German army, had a marked effect in
Germany, being taken to signify the
downfall Of militarism. He quit, 1t
was supposed, because the control of
military matters was put in the hands
of the civil authorities. 1t was report
ed that Won Hindenburg would order
the court-martial Of Ludendorff. Who
will later order the court-martial of
"Hindy" was not stated.
- -
Germany now stands abandoned by
her allies, for Austria Hungary was
urging quick action ON her plea for
separate armistice and peace. The
disintegration of Hungary,
noted last week, made rapid progress.
The Croatian parliament at Agranl de
creed the total separation of Croatia,
Slavonia and Dalmatia from Hungary
The Czecho-Slovaks got into action
and cut the railroad between Berlin
and Vienna near Bodenbach, SO that