The Nome daily nugget., 1915-04-14

will be in position to impose them. i Therefore if the discussion of peace proposals carried on in Great Britain reflects authority the world is long way from deliverance.
 Whatever prospect invites hope il will be instantly clouded if it becomes apparent that any nation is determined as a conqueror to ride down another. 1 If the war is to be one of extinction no end is in sight. If peace could be dis cussed after a stalemate it might come soon.
 If Germany's invasion of France should fail the chance of a reasonably quick determination in favor of the Germans would be gone. But even if Germany were put on the defensive on two borders no speedy military de cison could be expected If the war actually becomes life and death strug gle for any one of the nations it is like ly to be prolonged to an extreme of waste and destruction beyond concep- ton.
 The obstacles in the way of a peace arrived at without decisive action are
 many and easily seen, but in a couple
 of weeks there may be less talk of destroying nations and more of reach
 ing a reasonable adjustment.
 That the direct cause of war will not
 b, heard of again is the ironic probabiI-
 in. Austria's ease against Serbia will
 not take up great deal of the time
 af peace commissioners when they have
 come together
 British demands for the dismantle-
 ment of the German fleet, for the dis
 armament of the German army, the
 elimination of Kruppism, etc, etc, pre-
 suppose complete hattening out of German defense Before that possibly
 could be done what Europe has seen in
 the last six or seven months would
 seem like parlor entertainment.
 There are embarrassments enough in
 I1e way of the hopeful pacifist without
 IaugIus m such thoughts. These em- barrassments are presented chiefly by
 Belgium and France. The allies can 7 not so long Us they have any strength ) consent to leave Belgium uncompen- { sated foY the injuries sustained If this takes the aspect of an indem- ? nity imposed as the result of defeat it , alone may prolong the war to the point of exhaustion. If Germany can regard .It IS a just claim To be honorably dis
 charged the embarrassment might be .aNoided To France the recovery of
 the lost provinces and of the indem-
 considerations. but such conditions
 could be imposed only on a defeated
 enemy.
 Russia is virtually committed to the
 policy of reuniting divided Poland and
 reestablishing il as a kingdom. That ~.vPpc --.,~.i IiIute easily that the Russian plans against Austria Hungary although even there d return To lHe dnlebelum status Is , not impossible if every other obstacle were removed
 one more readily sees the difficulties . in the way of peace without victory than the manner If compromise. but
 exhaustion might be the winner every :. where.
 Both Great Britain and France will regard their efforts and sacrifices as r wholly wasted if the result leaves Flu rope in the same need for tremendous ] military equipment as the war found r il. But the limitation of armament by agreement is not impossible even if T peace is considered with the armies l fought to a standstill with no result The time may come soon when com , manding generals will coneede that in } general the campaigns have come to | no definite result. that the compensa- } tion for defeat here has been victory } there. that all the armies are intact and