The Washington times., 1915-06-01
Deadlock in West Leads Experts
to Doubt Allies Can Break
Foes Grip.
PROBLEM FOR DIPLOMACY
Peace Conference May Result in
Defeat of German Plan to
Annex Country.

TO Germany and is her population
doomed to undergo the process of be-
ing gradually amalgamated into the
population of Germany? Is this small
but gallant nation to lose its identity
and to be Germantzed?
This question, of course, has been
asked ever since the German troops
overran Belgium. But it is being asked
more seriously than ever lately.
Information from the other side Of
the ocean indicates that there is no
longer the sanguine feeling in England
and among the allies which there was
last fall that Germany, as a military
proposition. can be pried loose from Bel
gium. This Is the statement made by
Americans lately returned from Europe.
who have had exceptional opportunities
for sounding the views of prominent
men in England. and thus getting an
insight into the views of the allies
generally.
May Cut Off Relief Work.
While this disposition to doubt
"nelner CTeT1ndH can po
mered out of Belgium seems to be gain
ing hold, the Germans, on the other
hand, are taking steps that look in the
direction OF the Germanization OF the
Belgian people.
Some indication Of this is given in
the fact that the Germans are dis
posed to shut off the system whereby
American relief Is being given to the
Belgians. 1t is declared that it is
only matter Of time t,,u until il,,s9 the Ger. h.
purpose of such action would be. as
explained in well-advised quarters. to
make the Belgians take up once more
\ the usual methods Of making liveli.
hood, thus starting anew the lines OF
industry interrupted by the war. At
the same time, the Germans are seek
ing to compel Belgians who have left
on pain of losing their property through
excessive taxation.
Deadlock In West.
Still more than this, those who have
had opportunity to study the German
course toward Belgium in recent weeks
say it Is much different from the days
when atrocities We're visited on the
population. Evidently in pursuance OF
gians are being treated with modera-
tion. even with kindness. In an obvious
effort to win them over to Germany.
Under all the circumstances. the Bel
gian problem looms up as the most
tragic Of the war. Typhus-rid
Serbia. stepped in misery. has yet kept
the foe Off it's borders for the most
part, and will doubtless preserve its
independence. What the fate Of Bel
gum Is to be cannot be foretold.
1t Is easy to say that England and
the allies will never halt the war until
Germany's grip is shaken from Belgium
lr,n hat q
in western Europe are deadlocked and
have been deadlocked for months. and
military men in Washington do not per-
ceive either how the Germans are to be
blown out of their trenches and forced
hack to their frontier or how the Ger
mans are to make successful advance
toward Paris.
England Less Confident.
1t Is true that the unexpected hap
pens in war. and it may be that Cen
erals Joffre and French still have in re-
serve a supreme effort which will
achieve wonders. But it is known that.
despite the fact nearly every leading
Erglishman today declares with SEEM
ing confidence the war will go on unit!
Germany is beaten. there Is much less
confidence in English military circles
than there was earlier in the conflict
about a great drive on the west front
being successful in forcing back the
Germans.
All this looks black for Belgium. Ger
tainly 1t is not calculated to give heart
to the American sympathizers for the
Belgians in their appalling distress.
Yet 1T is not true that any thing Hike
all hope for Belgiums re-establishment
is gone. In fact, there Is substantial
ground for hope that she will yet be
rid of her invaders, apart from any
military operations in western Europe
hn NNvhn dc will hY-t,1 q
peace conference wherein the represen-
tatives of each nation will have to put
their cards on common table. To
this peace conference, each participant
will bring its trading stock. If Germany
is in possession Of Belgium when the
war ends, it is also likely that Ger
many will be minus her great territorial
possessions.
Germany's Colonies Lost.
Already she has lost much of her
valuable possessions in Africa colonies
that before the war totaled over 800, 900
square miles. 1t may well be that Ger
many would gladly give up possession
of the country of a people who are bit
tcrly against her for the sake of get
ting back some of her colonies.
1t is quite conceivable, too, that al
though German territory in Europe
NAV he intact when the war closes, the
allies will have made big inroads into
Austria. AS military proposition. this
seems much more likely than that the
allies will succeed in getting far inside
the frontiers of Germany 1t need hard
" be said that If the allies do bring
Austria to her knees, a way will be
opened for negotiations which will free
Belgium.
Another phase OF the situation which
cannot be overlooked is this, that so
long as Germany holds Belgium 1t
seems out of the question to talk about
long-enduring peace in Europe. So long
as Germany occupies IL, England,
France. Holland. and the Scandinavian
countries will feel themselves menaced
Whether this fact will make Germany
any the more willing to quit Belgium
when the war closes-provided she oc-
CuDiCs IL when the war Closes-is con-
ieCtural. n Berlin feels her people need
a long pcaCe to rcCuperate, that fact
may rNakc her trac.ablc in respect to
BClCiur.
Beigium's Hope In Diplomacy.
II is = Gark picture which Belgium
today presents. Perhaps the picture
Of ithe little nation being swallowed
up Permanently is more pathetic than