New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-28


military triumphs and the conquest Of
provinces that had been retroceded to OBJ
tain peace.
What of Britsin7
Yet, II It were conceivable that Russia
would give up her dreams and turn her
back upon the vision of the spires Of SIAM
houl, what of Britain? For her German
supremacy at Constantinople would mean
an immediate menace to Egypt and an
ultimate peril 10 India. 1t would mean
that Germany would possess the capital
Of Islam and would be able TO turn TO her
advantage the religious fanaticism Of
millions Of British native subjects.
Great Britain has before made war and
threatened war because she has believed
that the safety Of the empire would be
imperilled IL hostile nation, one Of the
great powers, replaced the Turk at Con-
stantinople. Germany has proclaimed her
march TO the East as an advance upon
Egypt and India she has announced thst
it is a sword thrust at the heart Of the
British Empire, and the facts bear out
the threat Therefore, Britain cannot rest
so long as there are left to her men and
ships and money, and these remain.
Peace between France and Germany. be-
tween Italy and Austria, is now possible.
Germany has failed TO destroy France,
and there is no longer any hope Of reach
ing Paris or the Channel. The evacuation
Of Belgium, even a readjustment OF the
boundary of Lorraine-the benefit being
with the French-are not unthinkable.
free Poland and mutual sacrifice in the
East are conceivable. Russia may be so
| ably beaten that she will resign her claim
to defend Serbia and dominate Bulgaria.
But there is not the smallest reason to
believe that Great Britain is ready to
surrender the key of her empire to her
German opponent, and no present peace
is conceivable that does not concede to the
Austro-G German alliance supremacy in the
Balkans and domination at the Golden
Horn.
Peace Impossible.
The real reason why peace will not
come now, can not come now, will be
found, I believe, in the fact that Great
Britain has everything TO lose by any
peace that could be made on the basis Of
existing conditions and no proportionate
loss to fear from a continued strife. Her
armies have begun to arrive. Her losses
are insignificant compared with Ger
many's. Her feet is supreme. Her al
lies, particularly France, are still ready to
20 forward.
It is the Napoleonic episode over again
and Britain is playing the part that ruined
Napoleon. She is better placed for allies
than before, for France is far and away'a
greater ally than any she had in the
earlier conflict. Peace cannot be made
until London wills it, and London Is rs
far from willing peace now as 1t was
from wishing war in the last days OF
July, 1914.
Peace is impossible because Germany
will not surrender her ambition TO OBTAIN
Mace in the sun. She Is probably pre-
nared 10 eyacuate Belgium and France;
she has at certain times during the waf
indicated willingness to make silsn'
concession. TO France in German Lor-
raine Even the Russian situation migns
h. settled. for Germany might be willing
n retire to her old frontiers II Russia
consented 10 retire from the Balkans; but
she has nothing to give England, moth
inc 10 restore to England; no hold
Of any kind upon British territory
and Great Britain believes that the safety
Of the empire will not be assured until
Austro-German rule ends, not at Suez,
not at the Dardanelles, but at the Danube.
Germany Will Make Offers.
Germany will, believe, make peace
offers soon; make terms that will be lib
eral, in view of the present, il not the
prospective, military situation; but they
will be rejected by an alliance which will
derive its chief driving power from Brit
lsh hrmness, Joined, 1t should be added, 70
French willingness to make any sacrifice
to end the German nightmare, which has
endured since 1871. But if the British
were willing to consider peace, neither
France nor Russia would have any choice.
Bernhard said that for Germany "the
next war" would mean world power or
downfall" The "world power" is not yet
attainable, after great triumphs and
colossal losses. The downfall" that Is,
the end of the German dream Of place In
the sun, supremacy in Europe, is not yet
realized. Peace is possible only II the
dream is realized or resigned. The only
other peace is peace of exhaustion, and
this is still outside all present calculation.
Another year may bring different mood.