Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-14
The German Peace Note.

ne German FodCe NVse'
The full text of Germany's mote" to
hostile governments seems to be more
of a bid for the sympathy Of the neu-
trail world and purpose to convince
that the cost of any further hostilities
must be blamed to her enemies. than
any expectancy that her proposed
terms" would be taken seriously by
her enemies.
Germany has just completed a ire
mendous drive upon newly enhsteo
recruit of her enemies, for the obvious
several purposes of ending that men,
ace before it was fairly upon its feet,
to prove that it is hazardous business
TO enlist against her, and because she
could not make a spectacular showing
in any other direction. The taking of
Bucharest IS showing" to onlook-
ers in spite of the sober second
thought that the allies have been re-
cuperating and renewing their grip
during the Prussian splurge; in fact
are in better fighting condition than
before Roumania entered, while the
Teuton allies paid heavily for their
gains"
It seems a natural conclusion that if
Germany had the power and the open
opportunity to make a tremendous
sweep against the seasoned and
equipped forces of her enemies, in
ANY direction, she would do so, be-
fore suggesting peace from the high
ground Of debating advantage. For
nobody on earth, in Germany or out of
it, believes Germany is suggesting
peace pourparlers out of compassion
for humanity and regardless of her
own interests.
The nation which suddenly threw
down and trampled it's solemn treaties
and in the same hour flung its sup
posed to be irresistible battle lines
upon a friendly and unoffending coun-
try as a means of reaching the heart
of natural enemy in a dash. is not
pausing because of the folly of war or
the brutality of bloodshed.
The nation which deliberately sent a
great steamer, with it's non-combatant
freight Of women and children. to the
bottom without warning or assistance,
is not asking cessation of hostilities be-
cause of its pity for victims of war.
The nation which has relentlessly
crushed Belgium and is every hour
pressing her young manhood into the
slave service of Germany is not point
ing out to it's enemies the horrors of
conflict
And thus the only conclusion we can
reach is that Germany's suggestions at
this time are pretense and nothing
more. and for entirely selfish purpose.
Germany and her allies say:
I'm the midst Of the most terrific war
ever experienced in history which has
been raging for the last two years and a
hak over large part Of the wOrld-a
catastrophe which thousands of years Of
common civilization was unable to pre-
vent, and which Injuries the most previous
achievements of humanity. our aims are
not to shatter and annihiiate our adver-
Saries. In spite Of our consciousness of
our military and economic strength and
our readiness to continue the war (Which
has been forced upon us) until the bitter
end, If necessary, and at the same time
prompted by the desire to avoid further
bloodshed and make an end to the atroci-
ties Of war. the four allied powers pro-
pose to enter forthwith into peace negO-
tiations.
That (which has been forced upon
us" must act like red flag in the face
Of bull to Germany's enemies. Even
peoples that love Germans and who
felt as closely attached to Germany as
to any other power, grow hot with in
dignation at this brazen pretense. In
Germany where the peopl edo not
know, the government falsehood may
"get by" but not elsewhere in the CIV
ilized world. And the indescribable
atrocities perpetuated in the name Of
war-a war that was forced upon"
In Germany. where the people do not
diced the world against any utterance
of the Prussian oligarchy.
This fact strikes home, when we con-
slider German acts since the first Of
August, 1914, and her peace proposals
of Tuesday:
The Kaiser has awakened from his
dream of world domination. Tuesdays
message from Berlin confesses it.