New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-10
Observation-Disclosures
and Trade Freedom
Demanded.
WOULD GIVE UP
LAND SHE HOLDS
Berlin Would Sacrifice
Belgium for Colonies,
Authority Says.
From ne TribuDs Burcau J

Washington, May 9.-Germany
e1pects no further conquests and
no reverses; she expects TO make
peace eventually on the basis of the
present ground held; her peace
terms, the vital interests" men
toned in the latest note, include two
things-protection from Russia and
freedom to expand trade.
This summary of the underlying
motives Of the recent peace proffers
from Berlin was given to The Trib-
une to-day by a German whose long
residence in both countries and
whose intimate knowledge Of Ger
man affairs enable him to speak with
the highest authority. He insisted
that the views given were entirely
his own estimate of conditions, but
there can be no doubt that they rep
resent the basis on which Germany
is willing TO begin discussion Of the
end of the war, and which she wishes
the world TO accept.
Briefly summarized, the concrete
terms on which Germany will make
peace follow:
The establishment of independ-
ent states on the east and south
as a buffer against Russia. It is
not insisted that these states shall
he under German inhuence-mere-
" that they shall not be vassals OF
Russia. This includes Serbia.
The Dardanelles TO be in friend
ly hands.
Freedom of Belgium.
The freedom of Belgium and
the return Of the French territory
now occupied. In return, Ger
many 10 get back her colonies and
enough other colonial territory 70
give her free room for expansion
The freedom of the seas, along
the lines President Wilson has
outlined. which are understood to
mean that peaceful commerce,
both neutral and belligerent, shall
not be interrupted again by war.
The extent TO which this can be
accomplished is admittedly doubt
full, but on it would depend very
largely the details of the other
terms.
No indemnities.
No attempt TO hold an alien peo
pie in subjection, except in small
numbers where the strategic and
linguistic frontiers do not CORE
spond, as around Metz.
"The war Is over" The Tribune's in
formsnt said in beginning his sum
mary. 81 do not mean that peace is in
sight but that whether the war goes on
for one month or two years peace Will
finally be made on the basis of condi-
tons as they exist as present. The
time for recriminations and disputes
about the blame is past. The time has
come for making friends again and get
ting the world back 20 liveable basis.
So IL is 20 be understood that in none
OF my comments am I casting refec-
tons on any one. ] am simply trying
TO state conditions as I believe they
seem 20 German officials.
Safety First for Germany.
"Germsny's vital interests are safety
and means of livelihood. Safety first!
Our great danger is from the Slsv
power. II has been vital interest 20
Germany TO uphold Austria In her pres
ent condition because she protected us
rom the Slav on the southeast. If she
fel 70 pieces Germany would be almost
surrounded by Slsvs. And so it hap
pened that when Austria was in danger
was Of vital Importance TO US 70 pro-
ieet her
Serbia, as every one knows. aimed
Dannex ali the Southern Slav districts
d Austria. If she had succeeded Aus
VIA would have been whitfield away,
~d Slsv ststes-really vassals Of Rus
s-would have been erected on the
O'foers Of the Germanic peoples. We
s0uld not permit that With Austria it
was case Of getting our help or max
ng what terms she could with Russia,
snd " she had done that we would have
,'st our last friend in Europe and our
defence against Russia on the
we cannot end the war without end
rs hat danger. We do not insist that
balkan states shall be brought un-
lUufiauSA a