New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-16
Pence Talk.

considers the greater cost that may nc ~
VOWED In failing IN war and being obliged
to ask for peace.
Rumors Of peace neFotatons-ofr round
about attempts on the part Of one set Of
belupercnts 90 get an inkling Of the terms
sooeo,ab,e TO the ether sot--will continue
20 circulate. But peace will not be irnmi-
Dent untg one group Of combatants be-
Games far more concerned about ending
mo war than about tho particular cOndi-
lions on which the war IS to end.
Tho return from Europe Of Colonel Ed
wand n House, the Presidents most inh-
mate friend and counsellor, will undoubt-
e5,v revive talk about the lnclinatiOns
toward peace OF the governments which he
hes sounded. The visit here Of Dutch
subject. D.. Van Gheel Gi'dermeister, who
had previously interviewed in Berlin Chan
cel'or Won Bethmaun-Hollweg and Herr
va, Ia-ow. started a similar discussion
ton DAVIS nro. Il was said that DR.. Glider
r,e,gtor had ascerteined that Germany
would ask from the Allies the return Of
her captured colonies lKiao-Chou OK
ceptcd). new German sphere Of inhu-
epco IN North Africa and q reconstruction
Of Poland. She would agree to evacuate
Belgium and would give France a strip Of
Alsace-I ,orra're. q she were 20 be allowed
70 annex Luxembourg.
These demands were more moderate
than any formulated up 70 that time by
tpokesmen for Germany, Yet at the same
moment that they we're being put forward
here the King Of Bavaria was congratulate
nghis subjects that the outcome Of the war
would be TO give South Germany better
occess 20 the sea-an access, naturally,
either through Holland or through Bel
GUM.
The war so far has been pretty much Of
q draw Terms II peace made now would
therefore settle none Of the issues which
Dreciultated hostilities and would hold out
no promise Of real tranquility for Europe,
Unless one set Of be.ligerents triumphs
and is able to re-esteblish a new continen-
tai equilibrium Europe viii remain an
armed camp, with more national energy
than ever absorbed IN preparation for
new struggle.
A peace Of that sort would be economi-
cauv and politically a greater curse than
the continuation Of war. Humanity hopes
that this war will be the last great war to
plague the world-if not for all time, at
least for another generation. 1t would be
better, therefore, that the combatants fight
il out TO the bitter end-to the point at
which a definite, Substantial lasting re-
construction can be accomplished.
Whatever may be the surface ndica-
tons Of WEAKNESS Of waste and bloOdshed
all the undercurrents are now moving
toward decisive results and lasting recon-
struction. The circle Of the conflict IS
enlarging. Italy has joined forces with
the Allies because her interests would
not allow her TO remain longer mac
tive. Greece would have become a belliger-
ent two months ago II King Constantine
had accepted the judgment Of Venizelos,
Greece's greatest leader and statesman.
The Greek nation has now reversed the
King and indicated It's purpose to seize the
opportunity offered 70 redeem Greek popu-
lations still under the hated rule Of the
Turk
The same forces which have driven Italy
and Greece 70 participation IN the war are
working IN Rumania and Bulgaria. These
two powers are also compelled 10 consult
their future. A few diplomatic obstacles
will have 20 be overcome before they can
be brought into line with the Allies. But
their ultimate participation IN the war
was assured from the day Turkey made
common cause with the two Teutonic
powers. The fate Of the moribund Otto
man Empire IS about 70 be decided, and
no Near Eastern power can afford to re
main outside the struggle through which
that decision is 70 be reached.
Talk Of peace at present Is therefore
mere stirring Of the surface Of the
waters-a reflection Of discomfort with
the sacrifices imposed By war rather than
Of any determined purpose to end such
sacrifices. They cannot be ended until one
side is near enough 20 exhaustion TO be IN
different TO the larger permanent sacrifices
which must be the basis and guarantee Of
q lasting peace.
The world cannot afford TO see a peace
made which settles nothing The only