The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-01
Continued from First Page.

ginning to stir for peace. II In a good
sign. n most hopeful sign"
Morris Hillquit thought the proposal
made by the German Socialists may
easily lead to peace parleys by the Gov
! ernments OF nations at war.
THE action Of the German Socialists
does not come as "A surprise to Social
lists generally said Mr.. Hilauit. III
is fully in keeping with the general
Socialist anti-war programme. In the
international Socialist congress OF 1897
at Stuttgart the attitude of the Social
lists IN case Of war was defined. That
attitude was to this effect. that until
var broke out Socialists OF all countries
were to make every effort to avoid 1t.
but II these efforts failed and war broke
out Notwithstanding. then. at the first
opportunity, the first opportune moment,
the Socialists Of the beliigerent
tries were to open propaganda for a
speedy peace.
There probably has been no proper
or opportune moment for this up to the
present. as far as the German Socialists
are concerned but now. owing to the
fact that the German Socialists probably
feel that Germany has the strategic ad-
vantage In the war. they can afford to-
MAKE offers Of peace without having
their motives misconstrued.
This is not the attitude of the Ger
man Socialists alone. The French. Eng
lish and Belgium Socialists ave ex-
pressed n desire to work for peace as
soon az conditions are propitious. That
would mean that the Allies would have
to reoccupy the territory east and west
which has been conquered by Germany
and Austria. In other words, they feel
that before an OFFER Of peace can come
from them they must materially improve
their condition on the battlefield. They
probably feel that II In imperative for
their country or countries to win some
decisive victory over Germany before
peace p~roffers would be suitable.
This situation makes the outlook for
peace indefinite SO far as the activities
Of the Socialists are concerned, unless.
indeed, the present Socialist peace Offer
comes with the liberation IL not the
sanction Of the German Government. In
that event II may lead to peace parleys
among the Governments. In which case
the Socialists In the allied countries
England, France and Belgium-would
fall In line exactly as all Socialists in
all countries agreed to do in formulat-
ing the essentials of IA peace programme.
''This would include a provision
against the annexation Of territory. the
collection of indemnities. n would pro-
vide for the right of people In disputed
territories to determine their wi politi-
cal affiliations.
II truly believe. looking at the mat
ter squarely, that the peace manifesto
Of the German Socialists Is the first
hopeful sign pointing toward the end Of
the present war
Representative Meyer London said the
German Socialists evidently intend to
make themselves heard n felt in the
cause Of peace. and that much may be
expected as a result of the manifesto.
He added:
II have been waiting for the appeal
Of the German Social Democracy ever
since the beginning OF the war. and the
appeal did not come to me as "A sur
prise.
"Tn July. 1914. the German Govern
ment succeeded in creating the belief
that IT was opposed to war. Anti-war
demonstrations on a gigantic scale were
for several days permitted throughout
the country with the supposed conn.,