New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-17
Peace and Mediation.

Since it is apparent that well defned
and. in part, concerted effort Is now Delhe
made in this country to promote the media
ton Of the United States in the world war
and to spread broadcast the idea that there
is in Europe a real readiness to welcome
such mediation, it is necessary to warn
Americans that such agitation is based on
wholly false premises.
There is no desire, no willingness, no IN
tention among the enemies Of Germany 10
accent mediation or desist from the war at
the present time. The reason IS simple;
peace now would mean for Germany VIC
tory almost as complete as her statesmen
hoped for at the outset, and would open
the way for later victories, which would
complete the great work the German
people have undertaken.
Peace must be considered, if at all, on
the basis of conditions preceding the war.
Let us grant that Germany might consent
TO evacuate Northern France, Belgium and
Western Poland, receiving in return the
colonies taken by her enemies. This last
IS impossible, for Japan, Australia and
the Union of South Africa would not re-
cede what they have won.
But let us accept the premise. What
then is the situation? In the course of the
war Germany has practically destroyed all
the industrial machinery of Belgium. Of
Northern France and of Poland. The.
mines have been flooded, the factories
burned or swept clean of machinery
cities have been wiped out. If peace
comes. industrial Germany would, since,
save for a small agricultural region
in the east and the city of Muhlhausen
in the west, no portion of Germany has
been ravaged, Immediately resume bust
ness. having eliminated certain rivals.
This is the industrial side. But there is
an even more serious military side. Who
can believe Belgium after her terrible eX-
pcrience would again venture to oppose
her feeble resistance to German terrible
ness? If not annexed, Belgium, were the
war to end to-day, would be forever cowed.
And France? SO far she has borne the
heat of the day and suffered the great
losses. Peace now would set the seal to
the last testament of the French nation.
Never again could it hope to make face
against German numbers and German or
ganization. Every Frenchman knows this.
This is the whole sum of French opinion
to-day.
There is this to be considered, too: Ger
many has occupied most Of Belgium and
part of France and of Poland. But she has
conquered Austria-Hungary. Henceforth
Austria and Hungary, if the war now ends,
will be component parts of an empire ruled
from Berlin, as the whole military fabric
of the central empire is now.
This means the perpetuation of the age
long strife for liberty of the Slavs in Aus
tria and the Balkans, and with them the
Rumanians and the Italians. 1t means
that the Czechs, the Serbs, the Croats, the
Ruthenians, will be subjected to a tyranny
more terrible than in the past; that 25-
600. 900 of men and women will be denied
all the things we in America hold dearest.
Finally there is Turkey. 1t, too, has
been conquered by Germany, has become
not alone military adjunct, but, since the
Sultan is the head of the Mahometan
Church, the centre of agitation against
British, French and Italian rule in Ma
hometan countries. To leave this power
in German hands is for France, Italy and
over all, Great Britain to open the way to
perpetual civil war in India and North
Africa, from the Straits Settlements to
Tangier.
As it now stands Germany is a victor.
She has not destroyed her enemies, but
she has defeated them. Her misfortUnes,
so far as she has suffered any, have come
from the fact that her diplomacy failed
where that Of Bismarck succeeded: she has
not been able to deal with her enemies
separately. But if peace comes now this
mistake will not be repeated.
Against Napoleon Europe made pre-
cisely the mistake peace would be now.
Again and again coalitions were formed
and broke down until the last was made
on the same basis as the present agree
ment of the contemporary allies. Once all
nations were pledged to common action
against Napoleon, the end was in sight.
Separately he was able 70 defeat them
again and again.
Peace now in Europe would be the sur
render Of Europe TO Germany, and Europe
realizes it. In France, in England, in
Russia, in Italy there is no installing the
fact, and there is no intention of making
peace. Not the smallest. That is why i'll
would be unwise for President Wilson to-
offer his services as mediator, and it isl
self-deception for Americans 10 believeI
there is hope Of peace.
Actually we are at the beginning Of a.
war. Two and perhaps three years more