New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-11

the release OF l1e SOuln anu 'hN uNS'i w
ton of the Union. Any peace now means
the absolute supremacy of Germany IN
Europe. Therefore the Allies can no more
make peace than could the North. But as
Southern influences attempted to persuade
the portion of the North which was weary
of war to labor for peace. so the Germans
are now endeavoring to exercise similar
influence upon the people of the nations
which are allied against them.
Such a campaign is bound to fail, just
as did that of the South, because the mass
of the people in France. Italy and Great
Britain are not less alert to the real sit
uation than were those of the North half
century ago Yet it is perfectly patent
how much real assistance to the German
manipulation would come from any at
tempt of President Wilson to suggest
mediation at this time. 1t would give
German agents in France and in Great
Britain a tremendous advantage which
they would use to the uttermost.
No one will imagine that Mr.. Wilson
would deliberately seek TO contribute to
such an unneutral end. No one who
knows him or his view of his own duties
would dream Of his interfering save in the
honest and honorable effort to aid in end
ing carnage and restoring peace. But the
fact remains that any Intervention now
would be nothing more nor less than an
invaluable addition to the stock in trade
of German diplomacy and intrigue at this
time. Hence eve~y American must ear
nestly trust that Mr.. Wilson will not be
misleG or ,overpersuaded.
The Great War in Europe is only be-
ginning. 1t has proceeded no farther
than the Civil War after Second Manas-
sas. We are still in the German phase as
we were then in the Confederate phase.
1t may take two or three years to emerge
from The German phase, but until there is
some evidence that Germany's enemies be-
Eeve she can win, until there is some tan
gible evidence that their will to conquer
has departed, there can be no wisdom in
intervention.
Peace to-day would give Germany Bel
GUM, however the terms were arranged.
1t would dispose of France as a great
power. 1t would mean that all the things
that Germany has done in the name Of
Kutur and by the means of terrible
ness" had been justified by achievement
It would establish the doctrine that trea-
ties are but scraps Of paper and crimes
such as the Lusitania massacre are profit
able. Any American contribution to such
a peace would be a contribution to the
ratification and establishing of these ideas.
On the moral side any such contribution
would be the denial of all that America
has meant to mankind and to herself in
her long history.
Peace is a thing wholly remote to-day.
The conditions Of peace are yet to be writ
ten on the battlefelds of the next two
years. The desire for peace on present
exists only with the nation
which made the present war to attain GER
tain ends and has now attained all of them
that are attainable in the present conflict
President Wilson could only contribute to
German advantage by advocating such a
peace. BY such advocacy he would injure
his own country in the eyes of all save the
German nation. He would at the most
only aid in making a truce, which would
be the prelude to a new battle for world
empire or downfall" and he would arrive
only as the last ally of Germany.
Since these are the present conditions
there can be no thought of any action on
the part Of the United States However
much Mr.. Wilson and his fellow citizens
may long to see the end Of strife and the
termination Of the horrors of the most
terrible of all wars there is no opportu-
nifty now for service to real peace and
there is grave danger that unwise and i'll
timed action now may injure the cause
and eliminate all possibility of useful
mediation hereafter.