Iditarod pioneer., 1916-12-23
FIRST STEP TOWARD PEACE

Ii i, meet that the German note to the neutral carrying suggestion that the Teuonc receptive the question peace overture should come at tune when all Chrisendom preparing tor Its great feast day the birthday Prince of Peace At this the hearts ot a Christian Christian naturally turn to deeds of charity end beevolence urcharged with unes thoughts and each the other in deeds of kindness Naturally therefore the Christmas IS peculiarly hmg tor peace pro posas.
 But the world will be nisled into believing that the war ring yet prepared lay down their The qe brought about the terrific conflict far removed from they the days of July 1914 military which had been preparation tor years looed and and vandalism was wrought "hch ap palled the whole world
 Ii the war concluded today would be found that Ger many had accumulated everything for which she had conendd and more With practically the whole of Belgium her posses sion outlets the North and the English channel with overrunnng Poland and parts of Russia with commanding position on Baltic; with the road open the and the Daane through the territory of her allies Germanys position today than her most ardent ntasts had dreamed possible Were negotiations to pro ceed Germany would be in position to dictate terms which would unsued of Europe and the Near East snd with the British India possessions at her mercy and this she could accomplish by evacuang much o the territory no" occupied by her armies,
 Of course expected by Germany that the sug gestion be taken seriously this The only tangible result of the German that the neutral appse the fact that whereas heretofore offers of mediation would have meddlng owing the commanding position they will be acceptable The question how these will be presented will be matter for rave consideration bv the neutral nations and it is likely that will elapse before they agreed should the entente allies show any disposition to negotiate
 As to the entente allies certain that they will not even
 
 time is not yet ripe offer mediation appears be quite from speeches of Lloyd George, the premier which, tnged with certain bitterness toward America hold out mediation by the United States other neutral will be regarded otherwise than a1ron Their that the German military machine with its menace to of the world be destroyed and which does provide for disarmament will be shameful de The sacrifices they have been called make will have been in vain and Germany position her conquest opportunity elbows Terms such as these unhinkabe of Germanys strong position Cone ouenty the will until side the other peey exhausted In this position France firmly nrenched Britain, realizing that armed Germany nuaon the of the half century. Her attitude strkingy put by the French premier the chamber of dep last September when, Socialist demands for peace NJ Brand said
 M Bzon has suggested that is possible for the presi
 dent of the council bring the to end That the he trying propagate and duty destroy this propaganda Your country M Brizon, has splendid past which should make you love her This country by the throat after her aaant had passed the bleeding body of Belgium To this country, which has the be the champion of right and which has poured blood in floods you Stop the negotiate peaceP