The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-07-05

those vessels was part Of the price
paid by Germany for the armistice,
and In sinking them the Germans de-
liberately stole that which they had
paid. The fact that they apparently
settled what might have developed
into a dispute among the allied na-
tons as to the disposition of the ships
does not mitigate the crime. The flag
incident, small in itself, was charac-
teristic of the low-minded Hun.
The recalcitrant spirit of the Ger
mans exhibited itself in various ways
during the week, and the several fac
lions took advantage of the conditions
each In its own manner. The radicals
and the mobs that always support
them turned Berlin into Bedlam,
rioting and plundering and fighting
the troops that were sent to suppress
them. Shops were pillaged and citi-
zens robbed by armed bands Of ma
RAIDERS, while agitators melted them
to further outrages. At last accounts.
the battle was still going on and barri-
cades had been erected in the streets.
In Hamburg, too, there were bloody
riots in which many persons were
killed. Representatives of the indus
trial councils seized the political and
military power there, but Gen. Won
Lettow-Vorbeck was sent with strong
forces to restore order.
In military circles In Berlin 1t was
asserted that as soon as a real CONS
munistic revolt was started thare
would be counter-revo1ution TIE
junkers and militarists everywhere
were laying plans to regain control OF
the country on the expected early fall
of the present government, and there
was story that Hindenburg was to
be the leader of an independent Prus.
STA that would defy the allies and the
rest of Germany. The Poles inter-
cepted messages that revealed a plot
to reopen the war on the eastern front
with the secret support of the govern
ment at Berlin. The peace conference
thought this of sufficient importance
to warrant the sending of a note to
President Ebert warning him that his
government would be held strictly
responsible for unofficial support of
any movement against Polish authori-
ty in the territory given Poland in
Posen and East and West Prussia.
The bluff that Germany would Ego
bolshevik" IL not treated leniently is
no longer heard. Much greater Is the
probability that she will revert to her
natural condition CS autocracy and,
stewing In the bitterness of her defeat,
devote herself to schemes of revenge.
On Thursday the report reached
Paris that the former crown prince
had escaped from Holland and en-
tered Germany with members of his
staff. This was officially denied by
the Dutch government There was also
report that the former kaiser in
tends to return to Germany In the near
AoIuA IAC SChtilhCht III NCl nluny
favor of William has revived markedly,
but there is little fear that the reac-
tionary elements will rally around his
unpopular eldest son.
If the civilized nations of the world
have learned their lesson, they will
take the advice of Clemenceau: BE
careful; keep your powder dry" In
cidentally, the "Tiger," having seen
the day for which he says he waited
forty-nine years, has announced his
early retirement to private life. He
has greatly accomplished q great
task.
Austria will follow Germany's lead
and accept the terms imposed on 1t,
and Italy's new government, headed
by Nitti, has given assurance of its
adherence to the treaty prepared. Dis
patches from Vienna said a political
impeachment was Undertaking. be-
tween Italy and Austria, especially
concerning Tyrol. At home Nitti is
having hard row to hoe, his political
opponents, especially the nationalIsts
headed by D'Annunzlo. attacking him
fiercely for his attitude on the Adri-
attic question.
Bulgaria remains to be dealt with.
and so does Turkey. The latter has
not helped her cause any by her recent
actions. Strong bodies of Turkish sol
diery have attacked the Greek forces
in Asia Minor and forced them back
toward the coast. or course Greece
has made protest, and so far as il
known the Turks have not explained
their action.
Slowly changing sentiment In the
United States senate has caused the