New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-02


Whatever terms Germany has offered
have undoubtedly been unsatisfactory
TO the Allies as whole. So far as the
general alliance is concerned, the war
will probably go on. But there has
been a special effort TO tempt France
and Russia into deserving the alliance.
II is suspected that France could quit
the war now at great present advan-
tage an increase of territory, proba-
bly, the security Of Belgium, possibly
some kind OF indemnity. Germany
wants TO free herself TO attack that
enemy which is frankly the object of
all popular German hate and all Off
cial German ambtions-England.
Frances Decision Heroic.
Every one who has observed France
during this war has been astonished by
the fortitude of the French--a forti
tude hardly expected in a people so
highly civilized, 30 polished and so
essentially peaceful. She has never
been so strong as in her apparent an
swcr TO German overtures. The french
have always maintained that they en-
tered this war not so much for the old,
wistful dream Of winning back the lost
Alsace as for the permanent security
nor advantage. sh, wtil have the work
to do over again in the next generation
or so she feels. But the temptation
IL great and special. She did not want
war in the beginning, and she does not
like il now. The men who must decide
for France have their sons out there
on the line. II they have not had other
sons killed they know what has hap
pened to the sons of their nelghbors.
Here is q chance 10 gain temporary
advantage for France and TO save the
lives Of those sons. cannot imagine
stronger bride being offered TO any
man. Yet they seem to have shut their
eyes and ears. these leaders of France,
and to have made the heroic decision.
What would happen should France
and Russia desert forms beautiful ma
tcrial for speculation. SO far as the
Island Of Britain is concerned, she
could doubtless whistle at the Ger
mans. SO long as that navy holds Eng
land cannot be invaded from Germany
direct. If, by miracle or by the doubt
full fortunes of a naval battle, the navy
should fail TO hold England would be
whipped, whether or no France and
Russia stood firm; making the paper
blockade a real blockade would starve
her out. All of which is unlikely. Eng
lands navy, even allowing for losses,
is far stronger than when the war be-
gan; and her efficiency in handling the
submarine blockade, If nothing else,
shows that the mariners of England
have not lost their old technique.
Claim of Success Small.
Give. however, that the Germans
could slip landing expedition past
the British navy, their chance Of sue
cess looks very small The censor
would probably not permit even guess
at the number Of troops at present IN
the British army. But that army IS
large enough to swallow up any land
ing expedition for which Germany
could find transport. The invasion OF
a country, after all, is nearly as DIM
cult as in old times. 1t is more dim
cult in fact. Napoleon planned to land
his troops on the fine stretch of beach
below Edinburgh. Such a landing could
not be made to-day. With deep draft
vessels and heavy artillery one needs
a harbor and docks. And to get har-
Dor one needs naval control. The ques-
ton Of Britain and this war always
gets back to the navy.
OF course, Germany may have de
signs not on England herself-splte OF
ali the talk in the German newspapers
but on the British colonies. As for
Canada, Australia and South Africa,
the hope seems even more vain than
the hope of a direct invasion. Ther-
remain Suez, Egypt and the whole Pit
ish sphere of influence" in the Near
East. 1t is possible that Germany
might so juggle things, in the event OF
a separate peace with France and Rus
STA. al to get a land passage toward
Suez and Egypt. Possible, not likely, as
are all these speculations.
1t comes down to this: There IS
thin thread of hope that all nations
will soon adopt the stalemate theory