Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-27
GcrmanY'S RcSnonsc

u a prompt response TO President Wilson'S
II note. Germany again takes the initiative
from the allies and forces them TO assume
an attitude of criticism and of Selt-defense
II is true Germany proposes manner of an
Eouncng the peace terms of the two groups
OF belligeronts to which the allies will never
agree but she manages, neverth less. to keep
herself apparently in the right
What the President suggested was that IAN
early occasion be sought to call out from all
the nations now at war such avowa Of
their respective views as to the terms upon
which the war might be concluded and the
arrangements which would he deemed salts
factory as a guaranty against its renewal. as
would make it possible frankly to compare
them The President said he was 'indir-
Ierent to the means taken TO accomplish
this. and that "onc way Will be accept
;blc to him as another, if only the great OBJ
ject he has in mind he attained"
Germany takes Mr.. Wilson at his word for
which. perhaps he will be sorry. The sug-
Ges.ion of an immediate peace conference.
participated in by representatives Of the bel
lgerents. unless it is preceded by some formal
declaration Of the peace terms OF the central
powers. is not likely to win approval in the
capitals Of the allies Before they will he
willing TO discuss the termination Of hostili-
tics. London, Paris and Petrograd will want
20 know, in general way at least what
And yet, the allied diplomacy already has
been outmaneuvercd. for unless il is exceed
ingly careful. il will be placed in the position
trucucntly OF refusing even TO consider peace
negotiations. 1t has exactly one chance OF
maintaining itself in the favorable opinion Of
the neutral world. and that is by itself de-
rlar:ng its own terms OF peace. That il
sho' Id do, and thus force the central powers
TO follow the same course
RI ~
rolvc the United States. and the United States
certainly is entitled TO know In advance. for
"hat II would be called TO fight If
says the New York World. I'VE fought against
the central powers on some just provocation
of our own should We be Incidentally also
lighting for the altruistc aims Of restored
Belgium and Serbia and Northern France for
an END to militarsm and organized ma.
chinery to enforce enduring peace? Or
should VIC be fighting primarily to conquer
Eonsantinoplc for Russia. Alsacc and Lor-
r;iL; for France. tho 'rrentno for Italy the
German colonies and German trade for Great
britain, and war indcmnitics for all these
rations?
1t is certain that if the cntcn,c's way OBJ
Jtcts are those described in tho conclusion of
the paragraph. there would be no wild ell
ihusiasm for anywhere in the United
States. America is stirred. save in the case
OF tho rcstoratio Of Alsace- Lorrainc by no
passion Of that sort.
Germany. we believe. is forced to be
moderate in her demands and generous in her
concessions. for her supply OF foodsuffs is
running short. She has exhausted not only
her reserve supplies of food. but her reserves
ct soil fertility, and under existing circum-
stances it is as difficult TO replcnish one as
il is 10 rcplcnish the other Before the
winter ends, there will he such a food scarcity
as Will pass discomfort and threaten life. In
view of these facts. German arrogance would
he ridiculous. and the allies can we'll afford
TO match terms.