The Arizona copper camp., 1915-12-17
PEACE

of hard times.
PEACE
Nh the world is longing for peace
and most of the world is talking
about it. 1t is in the thoughts of the
belligerent peoples, although it may
be less openly discussed with them
than with the neutrals. But with all,
the desire for peace finds open ex-
preston and increasing attention Is
being given to possible terms. 1t is
clear that the kind of peace that the
people want is an inward as well as
an outward peace, not peace that is
suppressed hatreds that would wait
eagerly for the opportunity for re-
venge. Yet, not all the peace talk is
peaceful talk 1t often has too much
the flavor of ambition, selfishness, un-
just accusation and self exaltation.
There is too much disposition to boast
and threaten. In all the capitals and
national parliaments the peace talk is
made less conciliatory by boasts that
the enemy must learn to keep his
proper place.
But the talk persists, and, although
it is still characterized by bitterness
and boasting, it is clearly growing
steadily more reasonable. 1t was not
so long ago that any suggestion of
peace in any one of the belligerent
countries was promptly denounced as
untimely and unpatriotic. Now states
men in official position discuss it
more or less openly. though carefully
and with more vagueness and more
pride than might seem desirable.
questions in the British Parliament
recently, and on the same day
Count Tisza, the Hungarian premier,
said the termination of the war de-
pended upon the enemy. The next
day it was Chancellor von Bethmann
Hollweg's time. Germany will al
ways be ready to discuss peace pro-
posals from the enemy If they are
compatible with Germany's dignity
and safety" he told the Reichstag.
This is a rather naughty way Of
putting it, but that is the manner
of officials under such circumstances.
Much less peaceful and much more
blatant were some other expressions
by the chancellor. for instance, when
he-Aaid that "in the countries of our
enemies the guilt and ignorance Of
statesmen are entangled with confu-
sion of public opinion "Guilt and
ignorance" are not polite or generous
words to apply to equals. And the
increasing bitterness which the
enemies was also sadly manifest in
the words and general tone of his
address. The hopeful note in the
speech seems to have been struck
almost unconsciously. Conscious of
her military success he said, Ger
many declines responsibility for a fur
ther continuation of the war;" This
might fairly be interpreted as an
acknowledgement that Germany is
ready to end the war. Whether it is
a confession that Germany has al
ready gained as much as she can
the high tide, that her strength is
waning or about to wane, or that
she the strength of her enemies in
creasing, are questions open to doubt
and discussion, but it may we'll be
inferred that, for one reason or an
other. Germany is ready for peace.
But so are all the other belliger-
ents. Every one of the warning
countries is weary of the war; but,
like Germany, they all want peace to
come upon their. own terms. If peace
is obtained at length by the imposi-
ton of distasteful and oppressive con-
ditions upon a beaten and powerless
foe, it may turn out to be only
brief and elusive peace. There must
come more of a softening of the
heart than was displayed in the
German chancellor's speech before
really safe peace can be established.