New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-21

sion Of this feeling in the formal
answers which the Allied governments
will send 10 President Wilson cannot
be ascertained here. N is question
Of policy which tho Allies, and pr
marilv the governments % France and
Russia. which have made the greatest
sacrifices thus Ear on behalf OF the
rights Of Belgium and other small ma
lions. will have to answer.
After tho American note had been
read and digested IN German quarters
the Tribune correspondent secured the
following interview from a prominent
official who is known 10 be IN complete
sympathy with the views OF Wilhelm
strasse.
~ am confident that the action which
the government of the United states
mas taken brings closer a peace con
ference between the belligerents. Only
at such conference. where talking 10
the crowd out Of the window Is taboo
and Grating 10 the gallery as to VINO
started the war is not INDUCED in. can
any real progress toward a peace set
Element be made.
Both sides can claim victory now.
Great Britain. France and their allies
can say they have checkmated Ger
many in her attempt to impose world
dominion. We can say that, having
been attacked by the strongest coali-
tion in the history Of the world. II has
failed to crush us and therefore we
win. Restitution? Reparation Ter
rtorial settlement? All these are very
easy questions after all. and it is n
cinch that no nation is going to get
much cash out Of this.
As to reparation for Belgium and
Northern France. that will be met with
demand for reparation for destruction
i'm East Prussia. Galicia. etc. " the
German colonies are restored. it will
be easy to restore territory now held
by German arms.
viii Talk Business
# have sufficient confidence 100 the
diplomacy of Europe 10 believe that
once the confcrrees are gathered ayound
a table there will be no foolish boasts
as to who at that time has won the
victory and no senseless charges as TO
who started the war. With no galleries
10 play TO. they will seek basis upon
which all may cry quits with honor.
Nobody is bound to stay in a confer
ence. What possible harm can IL do ?
| do not understand the words of Mr..
Lloyd George when he speaks of put
ting his head in a moose with the other
end of the rope in Gcrmany's hands.
How can there be a moose p?
Neither side would risk anything by
entering council TO discuss possible
peace terms Should there be a turning
point in the military campaign. a big
victory, say. during the conference. the
winner. should II seem desirable. could
withdraw from the conference with no
resultant embarrassmen whatever. Or
the representatives OF the victorious
side could increase their demands IN
the conference as the result Of their
victories in the field.
u do not think We would be willing
20 GO into conference agreeing be
forehand 70 abide by the results. and
surely We would not expect the Allies
20 do so either. So any talk OF a
moose about ones neck seems 10 me
outside Of the idea altogether.
"Not only that. but should the con-
ference reach an impasse. or should
the representatives of one side become
angry. nothing would prevent the con-
ference from breaking up. At least
il would have done no harm, and on
the other hand il is possible that 1t
might actually reach a solution Of the
question
1t is predicted here that other neu-
;ral powers will follow the United
States in urging peace negotiations.
Spain and Switzerland particularly
have sent their diplomats to the State
Department repeatedly 70 urge that
yhc German proposals be backed by
this government, promising. it is under
stood. that they would follow suit.
If this happens, President Wilson
has started movement that cannot
be stopped. He has opened the door
through which every neutral nation in
Europe may enter with its axes TO
grind and its ambitions to foster This
is the view taken by diplomats here,
who foresee as result of President
Wilson's action a hopeless muddle of
conflicting suggestions and proposals
which will make the discussion of
peace more confusing than the ordered
prosecution OF the war.