The Dominion. MONDAY, JULY 1, 1918. PAN-GERMAN FRENZY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 242, 1 July 1918, Page 6

The Dominion. MONDAY, JULY 1, 1918. PAN-GERMAN FRENZY

The passionate Pan-German outcry caused by the recent speech of Dn. von Kuhlmann, the German Foreign Minister, shows that Germany is just now suffering from a very bad attack of nerves. In spite of all the Kaiser's boasted victories, the_ sickening fear exists and grows in Germany that final victory.will be snatched from the grasp of the Central Powers. Sboufa oi victory are continually heard, and yet the war goes on, the slaughter of German manhood continues, and a large section of the population is not getting sufficient food. Thero is much talk in high places of the invincibility of German arms, but the fruits of victory are nowhere visible. Hope deferred has made the hea-rt of the- German people-sick. The populace is getting suspicious and resentful. This feeling finds expression in a recent manifesto of the Independent Social Democratic party, which declares that "every day fresh victories disappear into the tomb," What is the good of victories which do not / lessen the miseries and privations of\ the peoplo or bring the end of the war any nearer? The- Pan-Germans could ignore this note of bitterness and despair in a Socialist manifesto; but a similar note from one of the Kaiser's principal Minister! could not be passed over in silence. On 6 of the most significant features of Von Kuhuunn's speech was hi; deliberate and repeated assertior that it would be- impossible to enc the war by military means. This public confession of impotence was a direct blow in the face- of th( junkers.' It has driven them ink a frenzy of fury. Von Kuhljian> is.denounced as a. defeatist; he ii accused of undermining that belie: in victory which* the Kaiser and hi Generals have constantly endeavour cd ( to foster. A "Kuhlmann mds go campaign has been started, am strong pressure is being put upoi the. Kaisee to find a new and les: pessimistic Foreign Secretary. . I is quite probable that Von Kuhl JiANN will be thrown to the insati able Pan-German wolves. Bu whether he goes or stays, his admis sion will have its effect, notwitb standing Von Hertmnq's uncon vincing effort to explain it away The junkers may rage and roar but the fact remains that Germany' confidence in victory /has beer shaken. It is not at all surprising to bh told that the Kaiser has commanded Von Kuhlmann to retract the statement that the war cannot be ended by the sword, for such an admission makes the Kaiser's grandiloquent _talk, about the invincibility of his armies sound very foolish. After the collapse of 'Russia the Kaiser assorted in his usual bombastic . language that before thero could be peace • the victory of German arms must first be! recognised. The troop? under "the great HindenBtntG would, he said, continue to win it. In telegrams to King I'REDEiucK August of Saxony and other Germany notabilities, ho states:—

Firmly trusting in the sword I faco a future which will, after all heavy sac nfices, bring us wetory and a strong

The Gerinaii sword is the best protection. With God's help it will bring us peace in :he West, and indeed the peaco which, after much distress and many troubles, the German peonlo need tor a happy future The heroic deeds of our troops, tho successes of our great generals, ajid the wonderful achievements of thoso at home . . . will carry us through in a decisive and final battlo to victory. I confidently trust that our victorious sword and steadfast unity in this serious work will soon bring us in sight of tho goal which will give us the great peace.

After all these flamboyant assurances of the power of the German sword to win victory after a decisive and final battle, Von Kuhljmnn throws a cold ' douche upon the hopes of his fellow countrymen by telling them that they havo put their money on the wrong horso. He declares bluntly that tho German sword, on which the Kaiser and tho junkers have placed all their hopes, cannot win. The Prussian swashbucklers have heen sharpening that sword for fifty years. Von Kuhlmann now tells them that all-their labour has been in vain, and in doing so he has seriously shaken the will-power of the Gorman people. This is the head and front of his offending. "Will," says LuDENnoitfF, "is the source of all motive power, mighty and decisive. The harder tho task tho firmer tho will. Ho who loosens bis will

goes under. This hour demands oE us once more compelling will." And this is the hour that Vox Kuhuiann has chosen for, a. public statement which must have the effect of loosening the German will.

It is not only Von Kuhlmann's scepticism regarding the junker's principal article of faith—the irresistible might of thy German sword —that has provoked the anger of the Pan-Germans. These extremists appear to think'that the Foreign Secretary's latest statement of Germany s war , aims is far too modest. Iney are uot yet prepared to abandon one jot or tittle of the objects they set before themselves when they started this war. Indeed, their insolence is greater than ever. But VON Kuhlmann undoubtedly .voices the opinions of a large section of the German people, and the gulf between the Prussian junkers and those' who realise that the probability of Germany winning the war is diminishing daily, is growing wider and wider. A dangerous internal situation is thus being created. Disappointment and disillusionment arc making great numbers of' Germans very anxious about the future They feel that their country has been brought to the edge of a 'precipice, and they arc seeking for some way of -escapo from the' calamity whicli threatens them. The reckless leadership of the blood-drunk military clique .which now controls the machinery of Government has become terrifying to those who arc clear-sighted enough to see that the desperate bid that Germany has made for world dominion is likely to end in ruin. Von KunxMANN'k speech contained nothing that could form a basis for'peace negotiations, "he case of Belgium is a good test. As Ml!. Balfouh recently stated, the question of Belgium is the best touchstone of the honesty of purpose of Central European diplomacy, and especially of German diplomacy. There is only one course for the offending nation in this case, namely, unconditional restoration and reparation." What does Von ICuhlmanw say about Belgium? He says this: "Germany cannot bind lerself by. any pledges regarding Belgium." A? a matter of , fact she wants to use Belgium as a pawn in the -game—something to barter with. . It is quite possible that she would bo willing to give the Belgians back their country and their freedom if the Allies would let her help herself to. huge slices of Russia. Phesident Wilson has resolutely refused to be a party to such an abominable suggestion, and in this matter he is certain to nave tho fullest support of the British Government. Such an end to tho war could only come after the German sword had hacked its way to victorv, but as Von Kuhlmann reluctantly confesses, that can never be. When tho discipline of disaster and suffering has convinced the German Government and people that their Foreign Secretary prophesied truly, tho Central Powers will- probably conic- forward with peace proposals that will merit tho j serious consideration of the Allies.