New-York tribune., 1916-07-18

A leading article in The New York Tribune
of June II, which we reprint elsewhere in this
issue, expresses the opinion that undoubtedly
"the summer and autumn are to decide
whether the war is to be drawn battle or a
German defeat" We trust that the summer
and autumn will bring about decisive de-
feat We are not without hopes that il may
be so. though we see little 10 be gained by
speculating upon such military problems.
But we are certain that neither the autumn
nor any later period will find either Great
Britain or her allies acquescing in drawn
battle We are also equally sure that there
will be no acceptance of any peace which does
not comply fully with Mr.. Asquith's pledge
that the war shall be continued until it is
brought to a decisive and successful conclu-
sion. Any alternative would mean a peace
of temporary nature. A drawn battle forced
by physical exhaustion or a peace which did
not vindcate the principles for which we
have fought and are fighting would alike be
simply breathing space before and period
OF preparation for another year. Fortunately,
we have no reason 20 apprehend any exhaus-
ton upon the part of the Allies. 1t therefore
u
pose such terms as will preserve our imme-
diate posterty from the aggressions of a
military system seeking to dominate Europe
by fear or force of arms.
The war has yet to be won. II is therefore
rot the time TO talk about terms of peace.
But it is never out Of season to state the
principles for which the Allies are contend
ing-both for their own preservation and for
the benefit Of all civilization. 1t is even de-
sirable that neutral nations should be well
aware that nothing less than what they have
always demanded will ever satisfy the Allies.
We believe that that is the dominant feel
ing throughout Great Britain. Moreover, in
considering the exact conditions of peace
this country will be bound by her engage
mcnts to her allies and by her promise that
the overseas dominions, who have taken
their share in the struggle should be con-
suited about the settlement. There are no
kind words to be heard to-day in Canada or in
Australia for those politicians who for YEAR,
predicted that there would be no war and
who did not prepare for it. Mr.. Asquith may
resemble Mr.. Pitt, and Lord Haldane may be
onniscent, but in the overseas dominions
the sentiment is strong that Lord Roberts
had more common sense than either of them.
We believe, however, that the only offence
TO which our politicians coyly plead guilty,
when any one has the patience to drive them
into a corner. is excusable lack of political
foresight. The dominions think it was in
excusable. In any event, they cannot under
stand why the same people might not have
another attack of the same complaint when
making a peace. The domnions have paid
and are now paying, for lack of foresight of
politicians whom they did not put in office.
They have no desire to be the sufferers again;
and they have lost confidence in the pre-
science of our politicians they propose tc
be more directly represented before any
treaty is signed. In this respect we proba.
bly, have not heard the last of Mr.. Hughes.
The claims OF our allies are of different
nature. They will properly demand a return
TO the situation which existed before the war.
together with such territorial changes as will
apart from all question of indemnity be a
safeguard against invasions similar to those
OF which they have been the victims in this
war. This is not the time TO discuss what
form such protection shall take; but it is not
out of place to draw attention to one vital
point. The recovery of Alsace- Lorraine by
France is often referred to as being due sim
ply because those provinces are French at
heart, because they were torn from France
after 1870, because they might perhaps form
species Of part indemnity. That may all be
true. But what is equally true but less gen.
orally heard is that i. is Of material impor-