The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1918. THE POSITION IN GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1918. THE POSITION IN GERMANY.

The.German people are being prepared for the news of the retreat of their so-called invincible armies, and they are being strongly appealed to in order to braee4hem up for the duly of defending German soil. The dramatic and overwhelming victories that the Allies have been yarning Tare-such as t'o«aus'ea panicky feeling in Geraiany> hut it js psadeafcuot to lay Undue stress on the effect of the :Jn3!taiKtreveEseß on*the'temDer of'

the people. Paced with the prospect of irreparable and ruinous defeat, there is reason to anticipate that the rulers of the Central Powers will, struggle on rather than submit to the destiny which they are well aware the Allies' triumph will impose on them. They practically have no option but to fight on till the end, hoping against hope that some event will happen which will ensure their continued sway. That is why Germany has enunciated a remodelling of her political policy, and put forth her spurious peace offer. Like the unjust steward in the Biblical parable, she is striving to win support when the day of reckoning arrives. It is noteworthy that in moments oc grave crisis Germany's first act is to change her Chancellor, and by now she has utilised and sacrificed quite a number of Chancellors, but without avail. Von Hintze sought to arouse enthusiasm by enunciating the junkers' policy of an eastern empire, but did not go far enough to satisfy the Pan-Germans, though he posed as the bold swashbuckler who would deliver from British domination those parts of the British Empire that Germany desired—especially Egypt and India. The collapse of Bulgaria has thoroughly dissipated Germany's dream of eastern rule, and the only weapon that she possesses now that might have a chance of success is a cun-ningly-devised scheme of peace. It is not long since it was blazoned forth that Germany and Austria would stand or fall together. With both these Powers it is now a struggle for preserving their respective dynasties—the people don't count except as, providers for the royal families. Yet it must eventually depend on the people of both countries whether the military conflict shall continue or not. The approach of winter, the continuous series of victories by the Allies, the breaking through the Hihdenburg defences, and the compulsory retreats of the enemy cannot fail to influence the masses in Germany, for her mana has suffered seriously, her gains are melting away, and the power of the Allies is steadily rising, while that of the Central Powers is rapidly declining. It is impossible for these factors not to have a marked effect on the people, added to their personal distress caused by the lack of the necessaries of life and the dislocation of industries. They have fought and endured while buoyed up with the hope of victory, but it is quite possible that the hopelessness of Germany's military .position may cause a reaction. At the same time it is doubtful if the mere change of Ministers or the hypocritical peace appeals of the Kaiser will cause hope to reign where despair is making headway. From a common-sense point of view such tactics would be regarded as a sign of weakness, and bring home to the people that they are being hoodwinked, and it is not likely, even in Germany, that all the people can be duped all the time. It may be that the masses will' look upon the promised -franchise reform as a test of the sincerity of the German Government, but they have been so often duped that there is no reason to expect that they have any real confidence in the democratising of the country. ;lt would rather seem that the move is one specially made with | the object of placating America rather than the German people, for President Wilson has made it clear that he will be no party to a peace with Germany as at present governed, therefore the wolf is cunningly donning the lamb's skin m order to try and patch up some sort of a peace that will tide oyer the crisis and give the rulers time to coneoet new Schemes of villainy. The whole business seems to be a piece of artistic dissembling to give the appearance of democracy while retaining autocracy in its worst form. Of one thing we may be certain, namely, that the keenest and most subtle brains in Germany are at work in the interests of the military despots, and that their aim is not the granting of a charter of freedom for the people, but maintaining the present autocratic system cloaked with, a convenient, but ihmsy, covering of democratic gauze, through which the will of the liohenzollerns is plainly discernible. The Allies will not be deceived by such shallow tricks, but will carry on until thev can end the power of any one ruler or more to let loose the dogs of war. President Wilson lias now the opportunity of driving home the truth to the German people—that on no account peace proposals be even discussed while "the arch-criminal and degenerate Kaiser or any of the Potsdam gang hold power. They must ferably handed over for trial by the Belgians and French for the greatest crimes perpetrated in Christendom.