New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-23
Germany Has Gained What She Sought

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir. The Presidents note addressed 10 the
ltelligerent powers. inviting them to state their
snecifc aims in the war, notwithstanding inc
disclaimer i. makes as 70 its motive, must De
irtsrpreted as an offer of mediation and Will
be looked upon by the Entente as an Ill
considered and untimely step and an act
clearly hostile 20 their cause. The unfort-
innate difficulty with many Of US in America
! is that. because Of our want Of adequate
| knowledge Of world questions, we cannot
bring ourselves 20 see the world war with the
; mind and eyes OF those who are struggling in
its vortex That is why many Of US are de-
eeived by Teutonic proteststions OF love for
humanity and disavowal OF lust for gain and
power as the result OF the war. II this is not
20. WY. then, is this Presidential note at
this time?
Germany started the var with the imme-
date and specific purpose OF eXpeling the
powers OF the Entente from the Turkish FIN
pire with a view 20 eventual assertion Of her
own exclusive political control over that
country. and then OF threatening. through
the Moslem Turk, the possessions OF the
Entente that are contiguous 10 or within
striking distance Of the Sultan's dominions.
Germany has already accomplished the first
and important part Of her project. And the
efforts she directed during the war through
Turkey agains. tho Asiatlc and African pos
sessions of the Entente clearly reveal the
nature OF the campaign she will pursue to-
morrow under more favorable circumstances.
The powers OF the Entente have been susi-
GENTLY specific and definite in the presenta-
ton Of their case 70 the world. The war
WAS forced upon them, despite their earnest
efforts 10 aver. il, b. group Of nations who
avowedly wanted expansion by force and the
obliteraton Of lesser states that were IN the
wav OF their ambition. When the Entente
declare that their object is TO secure res,i-
tuition. reparation and security against repe-
tition the7 are stating terms OF peace that
are comprehensive and unmistakable. What
mora do we want them 10 do? Draw up an
imaginary peace treaty FOR our information
| Tho Presidents note appears TO suggest the
necessity OF a course very much similar
TO that.
! When the Entente say that they want
security against repetition they mean that
lands grabbed by force from their civilized
and rightful owners must be restituted. that
/ Germany must not have the power hereafter
% violate her own pledges, the sanctity OF
the soil OF an nofensiYe and innocent small
~ great state and 10 disregard the laws OF
nations and humanity in the prosecution OF
war; that Austria should not again find it
POSSIBLE or necessary 10 send barbarcus
ul.imatum 70 neighboring small state with
a view 20 bringing about the extinction Of
the sovereignty Of that state; that Turkey
should no. continue to have the power Of
numbering a million of her helpless and in
noeent subjects and OF converting their
churches, their monastsries and their schools
into stables, slaughter houses and hsrsms.
u These are civilized terms and are being de
handed By a tribunal OF civilized nations in
inc interest OF civilization. They are clear
and specific. It is for Germany TO say II she
/, willing to submit to them.
i America has not fully performed her mani
Tea. humanitarian and even international
duties during the war. Therefore. her in
trusion into the world crisis at this stage
will only serve TO strengthen the forces of
l.wlessnsss and brutality, and will be sim
e,rely deplored by those who entertain re
.nect and affection for her.
VAHAN CARDASHIAN.
New York, Dec 81, 1915.