The Washington herald., 1916-11-05

from Briey, the war could scarcely be
won now without the undisputed posses
sion of the entire district. Briey holds
in her lap three billion tons of iron ore.
II we keep Yerdun and win back Metz.
Germany loses nine-tenths Of the raw
material for her steel"
Germany Helpless.
1t Is unnecessary to point out that the
loss of this ore coupled with the inabil-
ity to import ore during wartime because
of hostile sea power would make Ger
many helpless in a future war: France
In her demand for Metz will consequently
have the enthusiastic backing Of Britain,
Italy, and Russia II Russia remains true
to her present allies. But Germany will
give up anything and everything rather
than the Briey district, which holds her
military future and which she will not
surrender unless she is beaten to her
knees.
Italy's demands for the mountainous
Trentino and Trieste Is conceded by her
allies, while there Is a disposition to agree
that Russia should have control Of
emi-autonomous Poland, including be-
sides Russian Poland the Austrian prov
inces of Galicia and probably Posen.
Pennsylvania is conceded by the other
allies to- Rumania, nor would there be
objections to Russian control of Armenia.
So far all is harmonious, and were there
no other issues at stake than those dis
cussed the allies might have issued their
terms Of peace before now. Some Of the
points of difference will now be men,
toned briefly, and from them 1t can be
seen why entente statesmen when talking
about peace confine themselves to pious
and meaningless generalities about small
nations, Prussian militarism, and civiliza-
ton.
The question Of Constantinople and the
Dardanelles Is much debated, and from
comment in the highest circles 1t can be
gathered that the agreement between
Russia and the Western powers is couch
ed in rather vague terms. Russia de-
mands the ownership Of the long-coveted
straits; her allies are inclined to think
that the waterway to the Black Sea
should be neutralized under the over
sight of the Gar and to object to Russian
plans to fortify the Dardanelles. Ruma-
MIA feels especially strongly on this point,
because II Russian cannon guard the
straits her outlet by sea to the outer
world will be entirely at the mercy Of
her powerful neighbor.
Poland n Thorny Point.
Poland is another thorny point. The
Russian foreign minister. Sazonoff, a
warm friend of France and Britain. was
recently retired because he insisted upon
Russia redeeming her pledge to give the
Poles autonomy. Britain and France do
not desire to see Russia annex Polish ter
ritory in Austria and Germany and rule
the Poles as she has long ruled her other
subject nations; such procedure as a
result of a war for civilization" Is too
much for the stomach of the most hard
ened Western diplomat. 1t is quite GER
tain, however, that the bureaucracy. in
Russia has never intended to relax its
grip on Poland. II 1t can get the country
back again from Germany. The Poles,
given autonomy, would at once intrigue
with surrounding nations in an endeavor
to win back their old complete independ-
ence, the Russian government contends.
Before any complete settlement can be
arrived at, Britain will insist on an un-
regarding the Far East. The
recent treaty between Russia and Japan
looks suspiciously like an arrangement
for, the exploiting of China by virtually
dividing her into Russian and japanese
spheres of influence. to the practical ex-
clusion of British and American interests
as we'll as German. That at least, Is the
view taken here, and regret is expressed
that the United States who is not fight
ing anybody and has time lying heavily
on her hands. has failed to take Japan to
task.
Italy Wants Control.
Italy seems determined to control the
whole eastern shore Of the Adriatic and
Is already taking measures to foil Greek
and Serbian ambitions along the Dal-
matian coast and in Europe. The estate
Of Greece has fallen. and no serious
objection will be raised out OF regard for
Greece, but the Serbian question raises
the most serious. and perhaps the most
complicated. political question in this part
Of the world.
Serbian ambitions extend to the for
nation of a great Jugo-Slav state, COM
prislng besides old and new Serbia. the
Austro- Hungarian lands Of Bosni. Her
zegovina, Croatia and Dalmatia. Such
power would at once come into sharp
conflict with italian interests, for the
Serbs naturally insist upon having some
of the Dalmatian coast, II not all of it.
to give the new state an outlet to the
ocean. Russia looks upon this scheme
with something more than benevoIence;
Italy. who distrusts Russian ambitions in
the near East, is determined that no
Slav power shall hold any part Of the