The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-13

The Age-Herald sincerely hopes that speedy relief will be found for
 both departments. They have done splendid work under great disadvan- tages. We have one of the most eff cient fire departments in the country and the work of our small police de- partment in maintaining excellent or der over a radius of more than 50 square miles inspires admiration. a *
 Move For Peace
 SGirs the World
 lWHEN Germany's peace pro- WV posal, to be submitted to the entente powers through the good of- fices of neutral governments, was flashed from Berlin yesterday a prayer went up from humanity in every cline that a way might be opened which would bring an end to the carnage.
 Germany wants peace. She has said so emphatically more than once and has hinted many times that she was ready to consider terms for conclud- ing hostilities. England and her allies want peace, but only as result of beating Germany to her knees"
 It is easy to see how the German government chose this as propiti- ous time for peace overtures. The brilliant success of the central allies in the Balkans aroused Berlin to the 1 highest pitch of enthusiasm, while London was correspondingly de- pressed.
 Germany has demonstrated the fact that her resources are intact; that she could fight on for years and never face starvation. She sees the British government changing hands and a threatened shake-up in the French cabinet. While neither of the entente nations is showing any signs of weak ening, much less of being stampeded, it might seem that now was time when they could listen to Germany's proposals without any sacrifice of national honor. That, at any rate, is the way the imperial chancellor looks at it. From his point of view the present situation makes for peace.
 In the absence of details of what Germany proposes in bringing about Tasting peace" it is difficult to dis cuss the probable course of events. In the first place the Washington government will not undertake the role of mediator unless the terms pro- posed are just and fair to all the belligerents and such as will be ap- proved by international public opin- ion. In the next place Great Britain, as the leader of the entente, will not consider any overture that might give Germany more than the allies think she is entitled to.
 As a fighting machine England does not match Germany, but in the art of diplomacy London is pre-emi- nent. If there is any sinister motive or any subtle condition in the pro- posal, or anything between the lines, the British foreign office will see it.
 The fear is that pride on Great Britain's part will predominate in the councils of the nation. Lloyd George, the new prime minister, an absolute dictator in war matters, has blocked out programme for prosecuting hos tilities with uncommon energy. His heart is in the fight. Peace would mean nothing to him unless England were to come out of the war every whit victorious.
 But permanent peace on terms based on toleration and the funda- mental principles of religion, is think able even at this juncture. It may all be too good to come true, but let us hope that something may come of it. i Why keep up the horrors of war when every human life lost from now on will differ little from murder? Last Christmas found the soldiers in the trenches and it will be so again this Christmas, but God-loving people are praying that the dove of peace may at least be in sight when the joyous festival of the Christian church comes; and may their prayers be answered. l *
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