The New York Times/1918/11/11/Washington Hears of Kaiser's Flight
WASHINGTON HEARS OF KAISER'S FLIGHT
Wireless Also Tells of Upheaval in Berlin, but Brings No News of Armistice.
ALLIES MAY ENTER GERMANY
Reign of Anarchy There May Require Occupation of Cities to Enforce Order.
Special to The New York Times.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.—Dispatches received today by the Government, most of them sent by wireless from Nauen, Germany, by authority of the new Socialist masters of the German Empire, tell the story of the great events that have already taken place, forefunners of even more important happenings.
One dipatch received by the General Staff from The Hague, dated Nov. 10, repeats a press report that the Kaiser arrived this morning at Maastright, Holland, and was proceeding to Middachten Castel, in the town of De Steeg near Utrecht.
Meanwhile the Government is without information as to whether the armistice exchanges have been concluded. Owing to various difficulties the German courier sent by the Berlin Government's parliamentarians from Marshal Foch's headquarters with the armistice terms of the Allies did not reach German General Headquarters until the morning. The time limit given by Foch for an acceptance of the condition will expire at 11 o'clock Monday morning, (French time,) which is 6 o'clock Monday morning Washington time. No surprise would be caused here if the new Government of Germany asked for an extension of the ultimatum on the ground that the delays in travel to which the German courier was subjected make this necessary. There is no information as to what the disposition of the allied Governments would be toward such a request.
May Be Playing for Sympathy.
The course of the new Government in Berlin in sending broadcast by radio accounts of the stupendous happenings in Germany leads to the suspicion here that it is playing for sympathy, seeking to make it appear that as the German people are now in control of the Government and have cast out the Kaiser and his kind, they should be treated with greater leniency in the armistice conditions. It is realized here that on account of the new turn of affairs in Germany there may be a disposition to forget some of the things that have occurred in the past four years, but nothing has come to light to show that any official of this Government has changed in any degree the view that future generations can be protected from the German menace only by the imposition of the most drastic measures.
The wanton sinking of the Lusitania and the horrors of the German U-boat campaign, the destruction of French and Belian towns, the bombing of hospitals, the aircraft raids on unprotected cities, the outrages perpetrated upon women and children in the conquered territories, are believed to be too fresh in the minds of those in authority in the United States and allied countries to permit any modification of their indignation because Germany has apparently turned overnight from a military autocracy to a semi-democracy.
The suggestion was heard here today that events now occurring in Germany might bring about such political chaos as to leave no responsible government capable of guaranteeing the observance of the armistice terms.
Socialists the Peace Party.
It was Prince Max, who as Cancellor made the request for the armistice. Philip Scheidemann, the Socialist member of the old ministry and now a great power in the revolution, undoubtedly sanctioned the request. The Socialists generally are for peace and are credited with having had a great influence in determining the conciliatory course that Prince Max has followed as Chancellor. With Prince Max as Regent, a Socialist occupying the post of Chancellor, and those responsible for the revolution earnestly hoping for peace, even peace at any price, there is every reason to believe that the disposition of the new Government will be to accept the armistice terms, no matter how drastic they may be.
It is conceivable, even probably, that the new Government will plead for a modification of the conditions. But the demand of the German people for an ending of the war is so strong that the outlook seems to favor an immediate acceptance of the armistice terms if the Allies decline to make them less drastic in any degree. And there is every reason to suppose that the allied governments will tolerate no change.
The statements sent out by wireless by the new Government at Berlin are evidently all intended to convince the allied world that responsible authority is being maintained in Germany. Nothing has been received here to cast doubt on this claim. The allied Governments, it is believed, would be just as willing, even more willing, to deal with a democratic Government of Germany than with an autocratic Government, provided, of course, that the democratic Government is able to maintain order and live up to the obligations imposed upon it and the subsequent pledges set forth in the treaty of peace to be negotiated.
Wilson Looks to the People.
On several occasional President Wilson has emphasized that the United States could not deal with the German Government then in existence, because the people had such a small share in its management. The Preseident has contended that only a popular government of Germany could be depended on to live up to the guarantees for the future. He has maintained that the autocratic group at Berlin, headed by the Kaiser, could not be trusted to live up to its pledges, but that with the people in control of the Government guarantees would be observed, for the reason that the people would insist upon their observance. In these circumstances, it would be agreeable to the United States Government at least to make the agreements for the conclusion of hostilities with a peoples' government of Germany.
The fact that a repudiated Kaiser was at the head of the German Government during the great was does not relieve those who have deposed him from the responsibility of paying the cost of the Kaiser's adventure. The new Socialist chiefs at Berlin compose the German Government just as much as it was previously in control of the Kaiser and the Chancellor, and are equally responsible for seeing that Germany pays the price that will be exacted for her effort to conquer the world. No recognition of the new Government by the Allies is required. Recognition of the Kaiser's Government was repudiated by the Allied when they entered the war. That condition still holds. Under the rules of the great international game there is no distinction, as far as responsibility is concerned, between a German Government, headed by an autocratic Kaiser, and a German Government controlled by the people.
In a manifesto issued by Ebert, the new Chancellor, which the State Department has obtained through the Naun radio station, he expresses the fear that anarchy may result if food supplies are not protected.
Allies May Occupy Germany.
Anarchy in Germany, that is, absence of responsible Government, might compel the Allies to enter Germany and take control of the entire country. Anarchy in Germany is likely to be coincident with the dissolution of the German armies which would give the Allies a free path into German territory and throughout the domain formerly rules by the Kaiser.
It seems, therefore, that the wiser course for the new Socialist Government at Berlin to pursue is to assent at once to the terms of the armistice. Any delay on their part, such a delay as would be caused by obtaining an extension of the ultimatum on account of the failure of the allied conditions to reach Berlin until today, may bring upon them an invasion and the policing of Germany by allied troops.
The wireless dispatches that have come to the State Department today from Nauen tell the story of the German revolution. It began on Saturday morning, apparently, with a general strike in Berlin. The Socialist members of the Government severed their connection with the Cabinet, and the Socialists and Independent Socialist Committee held a joint meeting in the Reichstag. Meanwhile a Socialist member of the Reichstag named Wels made an address at the barracks of the Alexandra Regiment to the troops there, and a large number of officers joined with the soldiers in sending delegates to the Reichstag Joint Committee.
Delegates of workmen, carrying the red flag and accompanied usually by soldiers who had been on guard at their factories, marched to the centre of Berlin. These delegations were received by the joint committee. REgiments in Berlin and nearby places sent delegations, which pledged allegiance to the new Government. The building occupied by Vorwäerts, the Socialist newspaper, was taken over by 300 riflemen to protect it "against possible eventualities on the side of the former régime."
Three Persons Killed.
A delegation of workmen who went into the barracks of a Guard regiment to persuade soldiers to join the revolt were shot at by two officers. Three persons were killed and one wounded. It is asserted in one communiqué that there was a general fraternization of sailors, soldiers, and workmen. A delegation of sailors brought word to the Reichstag committee that 3,000 sailors were marching to Berlin, and were expected to arrive on Saturday afternoon.
At noon the Socialist leaders, Ebert and Scheidemann, accompanied by troops, went to the Chancellor and told him they had decided to take the Government into their own hands. Apparently Chancellor Max gave way immediately, and, after making known that the Kaiser had abdicated, that the Crown Prince had renounced his rights to the throne, and that Prince Max had assumed the duties as Regent and appointed Ebert as Chancellor, Scheidemann then made a speech in front of the Reichstag, in which he announced that that Kaiser and the Crown Prince had abdicated, that the dynasty was overthrown, and that Ebert had been appointed Chancellor under the regency of Prince Max.
Announcement was made also that ordinances of the Government were valid only with Ebert's signature. The War Minister, it was announced, would continue his duties, but his orders would be valid only when countersigned by his Social Democratic assistant. The new Government is controlled, it was announced, by the Social Democratic Party and the Independent Social Democratic Party.
Chancellor Ebert has issues several appeals to the people. Each is addressed "Citizens." He has asked for the maintenance of law and order and the protection and distribution of food. All officers of the empire are requested to keep their places for the good of the country, although the new Chancellor admits that it may be hard for them to co-operate with the men who represent the new régime.
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