The Dominion. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1918. REVOLUTION IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 41, 12 November 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1918. REVOLUTION IN GERMANY

; fr Germany is now in a state of revolution. Tho whole nation is in an uproar. Thrones are falling and kinsrs and princes are being swept aside by forces which iiO i one can control.' The old order is' being overturned with startling rapidity, and it is impossible at present to say what is going to take place. Far-reaching constitutional changes' arc inevitable, and possibly they may be made without an intervening period of anarchy and bloodshed. A great deal depends upon the capacity and character of tho leaders of the democratic movement which is now flowing like a tidal wave through the whole German Empire. Though there has been a considerable amount of fighting in various places, the revolution, generally speaking, seems to be taking the form of a struggle for political power, and strong efforts are .being made to prevent it from degenerating into a wild orgy of terror and slaughter, such as that from which Russia.is still suffering. It would be a mistake to jump to the conclusion that what has taken place in Ilussia must of necessity be repeated in Germany. Allowance should bo made for tho fact that the German type of mind differs widely from the Russian. The Germans are more educated than the Russians, and they have had much more political experience. It is, therefore, not unreasonable to assume that the German people will recognise the folly of murdering one another if they can secure the reins of government without bloodshed. ■ But _ in great crises, when human passions are stirred, to their depths, strange and unaccountable things arc apt to happen. The actions of a.nation in revolution are too often decided by instinct and emotion rather than by strict logic. No doubt there is ah element of Bolshevism in the German upheaval, but there are indications that the wild anarchists are not going to be allowed to take, charge of the revolution.' Herr. Ebert,_ the new Chancellor, is a Socialist, but he appears to realise the necessity of saving Germany from the fate of Russia. He is.warning the people against, the evil influences of the Bolshevik section. He is 1 pointing out the*folly of _ turning the whole business arid social life of the country upside-down. Even revolutionaries must eat if they want to live. There-is at the present moment scarcely enough food for the population, and Herr Ebert is making an appeal to his fellow-countrymen not to upset the organisation which has been brought into existence for the purpose of making the most of the food supply. It is said that this appeal is' having a steadying effect upon the revolutionaries, and if they can be induced to listen to

reason in this connection there is ground for hope that they will, recognise the wisdom of-holdingthem-selves in check during the transition from the old to the new order .of things. A large number of soldiers have given their support to the new regime.' The attitude of the men -at the front' is (not at present known, but the opinion has been expressed that things will,be worse when they get back. Several of the German States have _ already b,een converted into republics. This may lead to the? breaking-up of the German Empire, but it is also possible that it may be replaced by a federation of republics. Unless events take an unexpected turn, the probabilities are that tho democratisation of' Germany will soon be complete.

The populace is clamouring for the ejection from Germany of all members of the Hohenzollern family. The Kaiser seems to be only too anxious to get away, and at time of • writing he is waiting- for permission to cross the Dutch frontier. It is hinted that the Crown Prince's' party is endeavouring '-to win over the Army so as to be in a position to fight the revolutionaries; but the available information gives the impression that the popular movement has got so strong a hold it is not likely to bo crushed by the 'forces at the disposal of the Royalists. It is more probable that the Army will declare in favo.ur of the_ revolution than that it will, give its support to the old regime. The Hohenzollorns 'have been denounced" and rejected because they have failed. Had their audacious bid for world-do-minion succeeded their popularity would have been unlimited. The vast majority of the German peoplo were quite willing to accept all the glory and all tho spoil that victory would have brought them. As long as the Kaiser and his generals wero successful they were popular.. They have been rejected by their countrymen not because they started an unrighteous war, but because they waged it unsuccessfully. Mil A. N. Davis, the Kaiser's American dentist, tells us that William II held that he was selected by God to rulo

tho world, and that it would be sac-

rilege to displace him in order to set up a republican form of government. The majority of his people agreed with him, But defeat has overthrown their faith in his divine mission. It 'has broken the • spell, and the cTfecrcdited idol has been cast aside. The Kaiser raised hopes and expectations that ho was unable to fulfil; his sword lost its magic and his "mailed fist" its power. He has fallen, and German monarchy seems to have fallen with him. It remains to be seen whether their new-found liberty will prove a blessing or a curse to the Germans. Can they construct as well as destroy? Will they sink into anarchy? Prince Bulow has placed on record the opinion that the Germans lack political talent. He says they arc. not a political people. He calls - them "political donkeys." They are now faced with a task of constitutional reconstruction on a large scale. It will put their political capacity to a severe test.

Tho following amounts towards New Zealand's Tribute to France are acknowledged by the lion, treasurers, Messrs. Watkiiw, Hull. Hunt, and Wheeler, bringing the total to dnto to tho sum of ,£'11.935 Is. 9(1., as under:—Amount ]iievious.v acknowledged, .CBRBS 12s. -It!.; Airs. V'M. XI; proceeds t'oneke-l'otonn Ruglj- match, ,Kl7 Is. 2d.; art union, per Mrs.'vsii Haast, ,110 os. Gd.; Mayor of Aiicklu'.id (Auckland's anneal), JMO; Wellington College Natural Science Society. .£1 10s. !)d.; total, ,EU,!BS is. 9(1. His Worship tho .Mayor lias received the I'ollowinp amounts in aid of the .'assie Street Fire Tielief Fund:—Mr. and Mrs. .!. P. Firth, £1 25.; "M.A.R.," £\; Llewollvn Smith, 10s. fid.; Davis and Clntcr.'jCl Is.; Colonel C. 6. Moriee, .£1 Is.; I'. Frascr, M.P., £1; Mr. G. R. Sykes, M.P. £1 Is.