The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-10-04
ENEMY HOPES FOR
RELIEF IN WINTER

That Germany Is retiring to q line
extending almost straight from Ant
werp to Metz, and will be forced
TO surrender more than half OF Bel
GUM was the belief OF military ex-
perts here today. They declared that
the sole hope OF Germany now was
that she would be able to prevent
, a military catastrophe until coll
weather came to her rescue Then
in prepared positions. with their
front materially shortened. the Ger
man army would endeavor to main
tain an unbroken front while the d.
plomats resumed their maneuvers in
an endeavor to get peace terms thai
would suit them Such a movement,
army men say. might furnish Ger
many troops that could be spared TO
strengthen the Austrian morale and
possibly assist in a movement in the
Balkans.
However there is a growing belief
here that winter will afford little
relief to the Germans. The united
allied armies. striking with mathe-
NAUTICAL precioion, can be expected to
continue their pressure in any and
all weathers. And II is by no means
sure that Germany will be able to
withdraw her armies and war ma
terials If that is her intention. The
Belgian and British are striking trip
hammer blows at various sections
of the north and the British-Ameri-
cans and French Americans from
that section all the way into Lor-
raine. The Wanted Hindenburg-Iine
has been shattered completely, and
there was every indication TODAY
that the Germans actually had begun
what may prove the greatest retreat
of the entire war.
Political Trouble.
Officials here today, after empha-
sizing the great Importance from the
allied viewpoint of the military situa-
tion, called attention again TO the
fact that the central powers are also
involved in a political complication
that may bring about real surprises
The fact that the Socialistic element
in the Austrian Chamber of Deputies
was able to stampede that body in
favor of peace along lines very SINH
lar to those enunciated by President
Wilson, and that the majority eIe-
ment was unable to prevent open bit
ter criticism of the German position,
throws a bright light on the exact
conditions within the dual empire. It
increases the belief entertained in
diplomatic circles here that Germany
Will have a very difficult task in hold
ing Austria in line for her war pro-
gram. Many welI-informed diplomats
here privately declare that they look
for Austria to demand military aid
from Germany, which will be impos-
sible for that nation to furnish, and
then to institute peace negotiations
on the excuse Of MISREPRESENTATION"
The very fact that the Kaiser has
at last been forced to accept Prince
Macmillan of Baden as imperial
chancellor lends color to this belief.
Emperor William has never lost sight
of the fact that Prince Max. as he is
best known, has been a potential pos
sibility for the throne OF Germany
should the liberal element ever be
able to force an end to the HohenzoI-
lern dynasty. That he should now,
with military disaster facing his
armies in the field and revolutionary
nutterings swaying the people at
home. call on the Baden prince to take
the helm of the German nation, is de-
clared by officials here to show that
at last the Kaiser realizes that Pan.
Germanism is dead. Prince MaximiI- |
liam is thoroughly hated by the Ger
man military leaders because of his |
moderate views.
Complete Victory.
Officials here today made II very
plain, however, that no change in |
can save Germany. There |
will be complete victory before peace |
will be thought OF. Until Germany |
has accepted the peace views enuncia-
ted by President Wilson and indorsed |
by the allies. they say, there will be |
no letting up in the military blows
which are shattering the Prussian
war machine on every field in Europe.