The Washington times., 1916-05-24


many's peace terms It is a rough
statement, but perfectly understand
able.
Only when statesmen Of the war
ring nations come down to basis OF
the real facts; when they take the
war situation as every war map
be nearing peace.
That is the gist Of the German
peace proposal. To Just what extent
does Germany expect literally to ad-
here to the war map as the basis for
peace discussions?
It would seem that special sig
nificance must be attached to the CO.
incidence Of the Austrian drive
against Italy, and this declaration
from DR.. Hollweg. II the war map
is to be the ultimatum of the central
powers, Austria naturally wants to
make the war map favor her as much
as possible. She has carried a great
burden in this war, and the House
Of Hapsburg must at this moment
be realizing that she has gained lit
tie. Serbia has been overrun, Mop-
tenegro conquered; put these gains
for Austria would be insignificant
compared to the accretions to Ger
man wealth and power that would
be represented by Belgium, northern
France, Poland. Germany has taken
Antwerp; but, until the present drive
began, Austria's grip on an Adriatic
footing had been weakened rather
than strengthened by the wars de-
velopments. Trent was threatened.
There was yet danger that a peace
on the war-map basis might repre-
sent an actual disadvantage to Aus
tria.
This Austrian situation must be
carefully weighed before it shall be
possible to Judge Austria's attitude
toward the latest proposal from Ber-
lin. Austria is determined to domi-
nate the upper Adriatic, to be strong
on its eastern shore. She has doubt
less hoped that Constantinople would
be her prize, as an Offset to Ant
werp; indeed, it would be dynastic
suicide for Austria to permit Ger
many to have peace on the basis of
the war map, while. Austria would
get so little as that map now shows
in her favor. Austria cannot have
forgotten 1866.
So Germany relaxes at Verdun,
and Austria takes the center of the
stage for grand effort to
strengthen her showing on the war
map Of the upper Adriatic. It all
suggests that Vienna is now to be
backed for her supreme effort to bal
ance up the situation so that she
may with self-respect and without
endangering her future agree to en-
ter peace conference with the map
as the'basis.
But, of course, the allies will be
the more determined not to accept
such conditions. The German chan
cellor omits reference to indemni-
ties. His statement to Mr.. Won Wei
gand suggests that indemnities are
to be dropped from tie central pow
ers' considerations, and territory
taken in generous slices instead of
money. The latest proposal is vast
ly more impossible than those earlier
suggestions which indicated a will
ingness to restore Frances lost ter.
ritory, but still chung to the indem-
nifty idea.
DR.. Hollweg scorns suggestions of
disarmament, and with good deal
of bitterness accuses the allies, once
more, of making the war. 1t. would
be vastly to the advantage Of Ger
man craftsmanship # It could get
into it's head perception of the
fact that both the enemy and neutral
countries have made up their minds
who started the war. To undertake
placing the responsibility on Brit
ain, least prepared, least minded for
conflict, slowest to realize what such
a war meant, is folly. 1t is worse
than waste of effort.
Germany will have to carry, the
burden a long way farther before
peace will be in sight, on such con-
ditions. Her enemies know that
peace now would near only the mi
tiation of a new era Of preparations
an era in which stronger Germany
would subdue and organize it's new
possessions and get ready to com.
plete her conquest Of Europe. France
would be reduced to a second-rate
power and Britain would see ahead
only the prospect of meeting the at
tacks of Germany, perhaps single
handed, in the not distant future.
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