File No. 763.72/7791

The Minister in the Netherlands ( Garrett ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1656. German press summary:

Frankfurter Zeitung writes that progress shown by recent internal developments is of historic importance. Germany has changed over night from a state of authorities into people’s state, and German people will henceforth determine their own destiny.

Tageblatt writes that it cost something of an effort but Germany now has Payer with Hertling and a goodly portion of the parliamentary system. This is victory not alone of democratic idea or of Majority parties but of wise statesmanship which wasn’t tenacious of antiquated institutions but recognized the necessity of renewal. Even most convinced democrats are bound to say that Emperor by renouncing time-worn tradition has frankly come closer to his people and this is no small advance in view of persistent vigor of historic tradition in Germany and the conservative military atmosphere of the court. Germany has approached the group of parliamentary countries by a noteworthy transformation of her system of government which is by no means completed yet and the spiritual barriers separating her from the democracies of the world are bound to fall one by one. Will America now realize that the will of our people is now strong enough to create new things and isn’t opposed autocratically by the new enlightened crown?

Vorwärts writes that Germany now stands shoulder to shoulder with the other nations and can no longer be denied the title of [Page 312] democracy. Germany’s people have themselves willed removal of those anomalies which President Wilson termed the obstacles to peace. The political revolution in Germany is calculated to increase her prestige throughout the world and deprive her enemies of their most effective moral weapon.

In Mittags Zeitung Erzberger writes that the German parliamentarization best suited to the history and peculiarities of the German people has now been achieved and that Germany now has the strongest Cabinet in the world.

Leipziger Volkszeitung ridicules Erzberger’s statements and what it terms the hymns of the Liberal press stating that Friedberg has already been appealed to by Conservatives to oppose too much democracy in Prussia and that Payer in whom all hopes seem to be centered has small prospects of doing what is expected of him. The manner in which recent negotiations concerning Poland, Lithuania and Courland were conducted is an apt illustration of German self-government.

Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung writes appointments of Friedberg and Payer are symbol of close relations between Government and Parliament in Empire and Prussia. This was object which men had in view when they determined to accept heavy responsibility attaching to their new offices, the unity of the German people being thus assured and made patent to the world. Germany is certain of foundation upon which victorious termination of war must follow. This strengthening of internal position will be welcomed by people with feeling of gratitude towards Emperor and resolve to leave aside all that disunites and close ranks in battle for future of Emperor and Empire.

In National Zeitung Stresemann defends policy of National Liberals during crisis on ground that it was absolutely necessary to satisfy Socialists in order that war industries might continue to work in quiet.

Vorwärts denies that Socialists used any undue pressure to force their demands and states all claims to contrary are reactionary attempts to secure in advance justification for use of violence against peaceable internal advance.

Tageblatt and Frankfurter Zeitung report instances of renewed activities of Pan-Germans and Fatherland Party against Reichstag.

Kölnische Volkszeitung writes that days of Food Controller Von Waldow are numbered owing to his mismanagement sugar and salt distribution and that Michaelis is probable successor.

Vorwärts reports Hertling will not address Reichstag before 29th. Parliamentary News Service reports coming Reichstag session will be brief. Chancellor will deliver exposé of political [Page 313] situation, parties will content themselves with short statements and adjournment 5th December probable. Important bills on reapportionment proportionate elections chambers of labor and re-population policy expected in January session, estimates for 1918 expected early February.

Leipziger Volkszeitung reports Independent Socialists have motioned to have Reichstag convened immediately for discussion Russian peace offer and German-Austrian negotiations concerning Poland.

Frankfurter Zeitung reports from Basel that publication of new peace note from Pope expected soon.

Leipziger Volkszeitung publishes appeal to German proletariat stating that Russian peace offer enlivens hope of preventing winter campaign but that hope cannot be fulfilled if German proletariat merely follows Russian developments as spectator, it is their duty to organize everywhere peace demonstrations and mass meeting in favor of general armistice.

Vorwärts reports that since Würzburg numerous mass meetings held throughout Germany passed resolutions favouring peace without annexation or indemnities regardless of military situation thus showing that German laboring classes will not listen to violence in any form. Such meetings will continue and developments in Russia make it imperative that they should be made particularly impressive and clearly show solidarity with Russian comrades who demand immediate armistice and early peace. Vorwärts writes that Russian idea of terminating war by means of general civil war is looked upon as Utopian in Germany and has no prospects of realization there. German workingmen without distinction welcome Russian peace proposal as promising step towards peace and expect it to be given courteous and favorable consideration.

Tageblatt writes that the hope that Russian Government will be able to assert its will for peace rests on very insecure grounds.

Frankfurter Zeitung writes that the less Germany indulges in illusions respecting peace the better for her. The appeal from Petrograd will cause no illusions. It would be better if Russian government worthy of the name existed and would seriously draw necessary conclusions from the war situation but until that takes place German people must continue to strain every nerve.

Kölnische Volkszeitung writes that problem resolves into question whether Maximalists are able to exert decisive influence on Allies.

Kölnische Zeitung writes that situation in Russia which changes every twelve hours compels attitude of reserve, time to talk will come when it is clear what party has country behind it. Germany will not be deaf to any sincere call for peace.

[Page 314]

Kreuzzeitung criticizes Vienna Fremdenblatt for not having patience enough to wait and see whether Maximalists’ rule had lasting qualities.

Papers attach more importance to English ministerial crisis than to resignation French Cabinet. Vorwärts writes that Painleve’s fall means little but news that Lloyd George is tottering draws attention of whole world to London. Painleve is merely one page in history of world, Lloyd George is whole volume. No matter who takes Painleve’s place there will be no great change but [if] Lloyd George falls things will take an entirely different aspect.

Kölnische Volkszeitung article on South American market states that although Germany’s prospects are not very rosy much reliance can be placed on American arrogance and the numerous Germans in the above countries to keep alive agreeable recollection of German merchant whose superiority was unquestioned before the war and whose superior adaptability and business efficiency should make it possible to keep Americans in check at least.

Norddeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung writes that Luxburg telegram revelations1 have been used to revive old legend German aggressive designs on Brazil but that Germany never had such designs and that well-informed people in South America know perfectly well that all this talk is mere propaganda.

Frankfurter Zeitung prints reports from Norway to show that public opinion in that country doesn’t favor break with Germany. Frankfurter Zeitung Hague correspondent quotes Dutch papers showing apprehension in Holland of Entente designs on Dutch territory.

Tageblatt prints article on Holland fight of self-defense against England and America stating that principal danger to Holland lies in America’s fundamental ignorance of European conditions and England’s acquiescence in her more radical demands. There is no question of English influence on American plans in this direction for England has taken good care to leave America free hand. America has organized commercial intelligence service of her own connected with American Legation and seems to have made arrangements with Oversea Trust similar to England’s agreement. All this goes to show that America is convinced that English measures have proven inadequate and Dutch commission in America will hardly have been aided by any English prestige in Washington.

Kölnische Zeitung has suggested Holland’s only practical reply; namely, interruption of Belgian relief work for this is question affecting England’s prestige in Paris and Havre and in which she finds herself closer to Holland’s standpoint than America. The struggle which Holland is conducting against America is one of [Page 315] importance to all Europe and England will be unable to close her eyes to fact that cause of Europe is her cause also.

Frankfurter Zeitung writes that Northcliffe campaign in America is intended to make America take measures against neutrals the onus for which England herself is unwilling to assume. Procedure of England and America has aroused great indignation and hatred in Holland. Systematic starvation of Holland cannot fail to drive her into the hands of the Central powers who will have to furnish Holland with whatever they can spare and could be compensated by Holland’s livestock which couldn’t be maintained any longer on old basis.

Magdeburgische Zeitung claims America is permitting Finland to starve and states this must be taken as sign that submarines are greatly weakening England since England and America are fully aware of Finland’s after-war importance.

Kölnische Zeitung publishes editorial on illegal recruiting of neutral subjects in America. Der Tag publishes article by Gunther Thomas on New York mayoralty election stating that if anything can be taken as symptom of real feeling in America it is Hylan’s victory and Wilson’s defeat.

Kölnische Volkszeitung and Rheinisch-Westfalische Zeitung print abusive comment on President’s Buffalo speech.

Düsseldorfer General-Anzeiger comments on House mission that if President sent Colonel House to find out how the war could be won he would have done better to send him to Hindenburg’s headquarters.

Kölnische Zeitung doubts whether Vaterland can be used as transport since there is no drydock in America large enough for her and extensive alterations are necessary if she is to carry more than eight thousand men.

Kölnische Zeitung claims Germany’s economic position is steadily improving and that on the whole she is better equipped to face the future than any one of enemy countries who are threatened with economic and military collapse.

Tageblatt writes that new and very severe regulations have been put into effect for the endorsement of the auxiliary civil service act. Papers print new appeals to send all gold and jewels Reichsbank to help improve German exchange, pointing to splendid victory over Italy as new incentive to further effort.

Hassold [Hahn?], German moderate source: It is said that the predominant part in the recent German evolution was played by the interparty committee whose president is Payer. In Government circles it is called the Soviet. It consists of delegates from the Social Democrats, Radicals, and Center. The National Liberals join the committee at times. This committee met on October 22 and agreed [Page 316] that no leading member of the Reichstag had sufficient international experience for the post of Chancellor at the present moment. The National Liberals proposed Billow but the Radicals and the Social Democrats were unanimously against him. Stresemann could not break this opposition though he again and again quoted Billow’s willingness unconditionally to accept the Majority program. No agreement on names could be reached. Haussmann then suggested that there was a method which would guarantee that the new man, whoever he might be, would carry out the policies of the Majority and that was to demand from the Emperor that the man he wished to appoint be induced to discuss and agree upon the inner political and foreign program with the Majority parties before accepting office. This method was finally employed. After Hertling had been tentatively chosen by the Emperor as Chancellor he refused to be also President of the Prussian Ministry which he desired made a separate office. The delegates of the Majority parties including the Center Party unanimously refused to accept this division. The Social Democrats especially were emphatic on this point. The Prussian reform bill was the question of paramount importance to them and it could not be introduced and forced through unless the President of the Prussian Ministry could be called to account in the Reichstag which could be done if he were at the same time Chancellor. Hertling finally consented to hold both offices but the Majority demanded that he should give adequate real guarantees consisting in the appointment of party leaders to the most important positions in his Ministry, the two appointments especially insisted upon being those of Friedberg as Prussian Vice President and Payer as Vice Chancellor. A good deal of dickering went on before these appointments were finally made and every possible effort to prevent them was made by the old forces. Efforts were made to induce the Social Democrats to join the Prussian Ministry but they preferred to retain their independence. All Liberals and Democrats in Germany are satisfied with the change in procedure which they believe creates a clear and binding precedent. The Reichstag always had the power which it has now exercised through its control of the budget but it has only now learned to use it. The Majority parties without the National Liberals have a clear majority. There was some danger that the Majority parties might compromise with the National Liberals thereby impairing the pure majority character of the new Cabinet. This danger has been avoided by relegating the National Liberals to Prussia where they cannot possibly do any mischief in foreign politics and where they have precise marching orders in inner politics.

Garrett