The Washington herald., 1914-09-15
Peace Is No Nearer.

Only to the innermost circle of diplomacy and a
few distinguished private citizens is any definite
knowledge permitted of the status and scope of the
movement reported to have originated in Washing
ton last week looking toward the restoration of peace
in Europe If any such project has been undertaken
its extreme delicacy makes secrecy imperative Presi-
dent Wilson, very soon after the war began, made
formal tender Of this governments good Offices, ap-
parently without receiving the least encouragement
from any of the powers to hope that there could be
any call for his services in the near future The world
generally is agreed that when the time for discussing
peace does the largest share in the negotiations
viii fall upon the United States, but the most that
could be hoped for that the nations at war would
regard the Presidents proffer as standing one that
any power might avail itself of at will
While it could but be a source of happiness to
the people of this country if their government should
be able to take the initiative in rendering such in
estimabe service to humanity the stopping of the
war would mean there is almost no ground for be-
lief that even now the time is really ripe for any
actual progress to be attempted. Too much i'm
portance, it would appear has been given in the
popular mind 70 the alleged activities in the interest
of peace of Mr.. Oscar Straus in Washington diplo-
matte circles Whatever slight hope of success may
have been justified when the German army was at
the gates of Paris has been dssipated through the
success of the allied armies Even admitting that
Germany, the of what promised to be the
successful elimination of the invasion of France
might have been willing to listen to suggestion of
peace there every indication that the allies would
be found in mood the opposite to receptive; and
now, with the campaign of the German forces for
weeks terribly effective, almost completely undone
the situation would seem to be almost what it was
month ago. save only the appalling sacrifice of life
:he destruction of property and the expenditure of
vast of money. Germany is now in no better
position to demand spoils of victory than the allies
are. Practically nothing has been determined by the
fighting thus far. The great fleets of England and
Germany are yet almost intact and immense armies
have yet to in conflict Neither side is prepared
to consider the possibility of defeat in the war
for which Europe has been preparing for years.
The United States, therefore, greatly as it may
desire to peace restored, hardly go further
than it has already gone through President Wilson's
formal tender. As nation it must refrain from an
attitude that might possibly be regarded as urging its
services for the promotion of peace upon any of the
warning powers Not the slightest risk must be taken
of impairing its usefulness that will come probably
months later on.
The public is not permitted to know the details |
'f the project of Mr.. Straus, who is reported to
nave discussed it with Col Roosevelt at Oyster Bay
n Sunday, but it is perfectly reasonable assump-
ion that President Wilson and his advisers have no
formal action in contemplation at present; also it |
S natural inference that if the administration is
'owerless, nothing will be Immediately accomplished
IN this side of the ocean