Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-16
President Wilson'S Oppor,uuity

n President Wilson in communicating 20
tho allies the peace proposals initiated by
the central powers, can find means to suggest
that both groups OF hcligcrcnts declare to
each other and 10 mankind the ends to at
tain which they continue the conflict ami
tho minimum terms on which they will lay
down their arms, he will have advanced the
cause OF civilization and voiced the sentiment
@! the neutral world.
Without Il common declaration OF position
ana purpose, thcrc can be real homo OF
peace. II has been announced, seemingly
with Official sanction. that Germany will not
state her terms until the allies have expressed
Willingness to enter peace conference.
That way lies more iuvctcratc war and the
c"aS""sS stcri,iccs Of life and treasure. On
tn" part OF The allies there has bccm betrayed
like recalcitrancy to all ovcrtures. II this
StuhhornneSs continues, rs Tho Times
Dispatch has said before. there can b. no
hope OF peace.
This war is no longer q war OF rulers or
even of governments or castles. but Il war OF
peoples. and tho people OF every belligercnt
nation hold to the conviction that they nrc
lighting Tor national existence and the assured
happiness OF their postcrity. While soldiers
are being urged 10 moro desperate valor and
cNu populations 10 larger ana more willing
SacrIfceS il is well enough Tor leaders and
newspapers to harp on revenge and seek to
SUR UP harshcr enmiti"s. but that such pas
S!ons animate the troops in the field. after
two years acquaintance is very doubtful,
ndccd
1t was not so, certainly. in the War Be-
tween the States. Nlcn on both sides OF that
bloody chasm learned TO recognize and ap-
prcciatc tho gallantry and devotion OF their
opponents. IL would he strange ii q like
recognition and appreciation had not dawncd
on tho battle fields Of Europe.
The Times Dispatch believes in the
Righteousness OF the allin, raus,. AVID vrn,I;
regard III" failure Of that cause. in any OF
It's essentials, as a measure,css calamity
Those essentials, however. do not include th,
punishment, for sins Of which they are not
guilty, OF the masses OF The German and Aus
tro-lIungaran people Already. for tho
crimes OF their rulers. they have paid n great
ana bloody price. and no principle OF justice
demands that they pay more.
II Is not Impossible that The essentials of
a Just peace can he obtained without further
slaughter. In these essentials we would in
clud@ AustroN,erman evacuation Of tho occu-
ped portions of France and belgium the sur
rcnder OF AlSacc-lOrrainc the freedom and
rehabilitation OF Serbia. the restoration Of
Roumania, the rectlication OF tho Aus;ro-
Italian boundary ana the naturalization of
the Hosporus ana the Dardanelcs Germany
may to willing to concedo most oi these
Things and tho problems OF Poland OF the
German colonies. OF the Balkans and OF in
dcnn!tieS properly could bc left TO The peace
conference.
There is no country o! the world which does
not feel III its everyday life the effects OF thi;
world war. America surely is entitled 10
suggest its interest in the dawn OF peace.
ihcre can be 40 approach 10 peace until the
oel!ls,""nts have laid their cards on tho
table SO That friend. enemy ana neutral NAV
determine where The right lies
From the way stocks have tunDi.d since
Germany made her peace proposal. (, is owl
don't wan Sircnt thlnhs III. W. hrc .o....-