The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1916-12-30
PEACE
PROBLEMS
FOR 1877
by CARL d. GnoAT

WASHINGTON. Dec. 80. - Peace
promises to be the transcendent theme
Of the state department the coming
year. in sharp contrast to the almost
warful moments Of some months last
year.
Intermittent peace talk took definite
form in the last weeks Of December.
after Germany mad proposed peace to
the Allies. From now on. it will be
the enormous subject before the state
department in view of the fact that
this government seems destined to
play a big part in what ever peace
negotiations are undertaken
Yet while peace talk passes back
and forth between the chancelIor1es OF
Europe and in the granite halls and
mahoganied chambers of the Ameri-
can state department. other interna-
tional matters of grave moment must
DE settled. These questions, serious
at times almost to the point of ruptur-
ed relations. are direct heirlooms CT
the war, affect America as neutral
and are destined to have their stand
ing when international law is re-
written AFTER the war
In addition to possible complications
with Mexico. the main issues OF the
last year still are pregnant with diff
culties, which American diplomacy is
seeking to smooth out. ct the same
| time protecting adequately and hon
oraibly the rights of America and
Americans.
Those issues are:
Submarine problems between Ger
many and the United States.
| German deportation of Belgians.
English Interference with mails.
| English blacklisting of American
/ firms with German interests
| English embargoes affecting Amer
lea.
| Germanys submarine warfare came
| to a head insofar as the United States
is concerned when this government
last March gained a statement that
Germany had affected a change in her
| submarine methods and pledged to
| continue on a niIder course
| The Lusitania case hung IRE, though
| Germanys terms Of settlement were
| virtually satisfactory. inasmuch as
| this government did not desire to fin
| ally close the matter while other sub
/ marine matters We're pending.
For a time, Germany seemed TO be
| scrupulously following her promises.
In the last four months. however.
| there has been a feeling that she was
| going as far as she could without pro-
| voking new troubles with the United
/ States. In these circumstances. the
state department Investigated during
| the closing days of the year a series
OF sinkings. notably the Marina.
Arabia. Chemung. and dozen others
Evidence indicated Germany was over
stepping at least the spirit OF her
pledges and the United States pro-
ceeded to plan for her next step.
Crises" have been numerous. The
state department.. however. in accord
ance with administration principles
| has sought TO settle matters through
diplomacy. rather than through 4
| break in relations. Indeed. this gov
eminent did threaten to break after
the Sussex torpedoing. If Germany
broke her pledges. but since then the
spirit has been to bring Germany UP
| short, gain a sharp. air tight definition
| of her pledges and then insist upon
adherence to them.
Prospects Of peace though still un-
doubtedly some months distant viii
probably affect future dealings with
Germany. and even more strongly in
| fuence the administration idea OF
| avoiding a break with Germany.
Germany's deportation of Belgians
Iprovoled a protest from this govern
ment, but her answer gave but little
satisfaction. The administration plans
to watch this situation closely.
German trangressions have involved
American lives. In these circun-
stance, the general view has been
/ he 81
Iprotest.
on the other hand. EngIand's Of
lenses have involved American com
Imercial rights. not lives. These have
lbeen the subject Of objections and
negotiations. but differences are still
extant over England's treatment OF
American mails. her blacklist and her
enabargoes. The state department will
continue negotiating and protesting
| against heterogeneous Of the T. S
| rights by England. though none OF
these cases. the department holds, in
wolves such seriousness as to call for
a threat Of a breach in relations.
Mexico has been a sore spot in
diplomacy the past year.
Conditions became such that Ameri-
can troops were sent into Mexico and
! militia to the border. following Vla's
ment found many intricate problems
with Carranza. Finally it brought him
up short with recital of outrages
against Americans and their property
and a definite demand to know what
he was going to do hereafter.
The Americans aim in Mexico in re-
habliation and peace without arms
But the problem before the Mexican
| American Commission is still grave
and enormous. Villa again is nakins
trouble, though Carranza IN recent
months has shown a disposition and
some ability to alter dreadful condi.
tions.
But with all the problems that have
| spelt trouble. the idea of peace ths
world over has been a paramount
hope-and more lately. pregnant
possibility.
Il