Evening journal., 1916-12-16

mOuA0 Ub EAlnrA a. nov oNAfNo -
or else distinct decline in the stand
ards Of human life nd a breach in
the rampant OF human liberty But
granted all this, is it essential that
Germany should be made over by her
foes and that the institut ons which
she has chosen and supports should
be replaced by those which are not her
own and do not express the genius Of
her race?
In the mere matter OF militarism, it
is well TO recall that in 1906, after
he had conquered all the Prussian
arm.es at Jena and Auerstadt, Napol-
con set out to limit the Prussian m IL
tary system; but he failed, although
he had complete control over Ger
many, and he failed at time when
the population OF Prussia was but
5000 600, as contrasted with over 4O.-
100000 today. Not only did he fail,
but Prussia became one of the most
potent forces in the Liberation OF
Germany and a Pruss an army Insured
his ruin at Waterloo.
The Tribune does not believe that
Europe can reorganize Germany. exile
the German Emperor or destroy Ger
man militar SIN by reducing the intiu-
ence OF Prussia in Germany. 1t believes
that the ultimate extinction of German
mil'tarism will only come when the
German people have recognized that
this militarism does not win them the
domination OF the world and does not
bring them suffer 'ngs comparable to
those Napoleon and Louis inflicted
upon France. But even then 1t does
not believe the German people will
destroy their military system until
they are satisfied that the integrity
and independence Of Germany are not
in danger
Germany's present proposals OF
peace are totally inadmissible II they
do not amount to a frank and COM
pete recosnit'on that the inderend-
ence Of Europe. the permanerce Of
the balance Of power and the right OF
small nations to exist cannot he Ques-
toned. Thew should be rejected and
thew will be rejected II thew claim
for Germany a foot OF terr tory OF
one SLIGHTEST hit cf exnarsion of now
or in the courcils OF other nations.
horn of Gernna~y's Victories IN the
nre~ent struggle. But not less pat
ent u seeuoe n The Tr'hune IS the
. necessity for the foes Of Germany u
recognize what was lust among the
things that thew went to war tn &C
cor1nlsh ard not Geek to use Ger
monv's unr,istakat'c crimes ard Of
fe~dings as a basis for imnosing upon
GERMANY their own system of gov
ernment or thoir own ideas OF ma
tional organization.
No matter what hap1ens. there
will be more than e5 600 900 German
l. IN Europe after the war. Thew will
. rot be week or Their nation long I'm
potent, even If thev should be tot0llr
q crushed now. which seems absurd tc
think Of These roillions mean 10 bt
5 German, as the French Of the Revo'
luton were determined to be French
+ and they are equally determined 4
. ma'ntain their institutions. Euro~'
e never succeeded in renak'n" Frenol
institutions permanently, but th'
= French people nnd French statesmen
\ in due course of time recogn'zed tha
l. France could not for any long TIM
e. dominate Firope and that the cost
e OF brief supremacy we're beyond al
II the rewards.
ne UAGnNIl wal - a vol AOA III
Liberation of Europe. Il has beel
y fought upon th.s issue, and tn s prin
ciple must prevail. No peace can b
y made with Germany until this prin
~ clpie is accepted by the Germans. An
the proof of such acceptance woul
10 be the agreement of Germany to tn
j. restoration of the conditions Of 19l.
v and the further settlement by con
IN - 10
"a nent peace such as the quest on G
u Alsace-Lorraine. But II war for th
Is liberat on OF Europe becomes a wa
r for the destruction OF German institu
le tions and the removal OF German ru
a ers, then we shall see wholly diner
p ent situation, and we shall see
4 steady change in the sentiment an
sr sympathy OF neutral nations, whic
'e are now Overwhelmingly with the A
r lies.
'e It is die TO discuss the prospects
m peace now, when we have no cles
IN notion of German proposals. SUI
p.cious of the German purpose we a
d are. Every bit of evidence that
D. available suggests that Germany
n using a peace proposal as war m'
ar noeuvre. II this be the case no d.
at sire for peace, no horror OF wa
ne should blind any one to the main fac
l. which that there can be only OF
d. kind Of peace, and that is a peaC
IL built upon the failure of the Germa
ne purpose to dominate Europe Unle'
Il Germany will consent to restore Pc
We gium and Serbia, Ruman'a and Mol
at tenegro and evacuate Russia, an
ed France. it will be necessary to di
he m IS the German proposals as idle
st false in fact, however attractive
es form.
IN But II is equally essential to reco
n'ze that neutral sentiment cann
sh support the proloneation OF the WI
a after the main issue has been decide
r. after the freedom OF Eurone has be-
m, established Punish 'ng Germany
IS not a ju~thcat'on for more war; a
e ding to the already terrible burd'
ut OF international hatred is not n wo
N thy or a satisfying motive for stru
ne rle Already we have Il upon the te
ur timony OF many w'tresses that q
r. des re TO pu1irh IT, anger end {
&C passion Of tho war are passing fr-
he the British trenches, and that tn"
pc who are actually fighting view wi
?. surprise the violence OF passion viii
b they find among those who sit
ci- safety at home.
he Becauee the world deeires neace
an VII hear the German proposals I
Ne npacp. IL will not he deceived