New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24
Germany's Last Gard.

procure American mediation 10 emu '"O
European war. To do this very obvious
political weapons are in German-Amercan
hands. The election i'm Maine where there
was no German vote. gave unmlstakable
evidence of the drift Of Progressive senti-
ment toward the Republican party IN
less this drift can be counterbalanced Mr..
Hughes will be elected.
AT the present time the German-Amerl-
can vote is soldly for Mr.. Hughes. There
can be no mistaking this fact, nor is there
any doubt that this vote will make doubly
sure the victory that the return OF tie
Progressives makes wellnigh certain. Mr.
Wilson cannot get the Progressive vote;
that incident is closed; but conceivably he
might vet get the German-American vote
which will be cast solidly in the interest OF
the candidate who is regarded on Election
Dav bv German-AmericanS as most useful
to Germany.
Meantime the approach Of the collapse
of the German fight in Europe is patent
The war has been lost on the battlefield.
We have come 10 situation entirely
ANALOGOUS TO that of the Civil War in
1864. 1t is only a question Of time until
the Germans are completely and decisively
beaten ON all fronts, if the war goes for
ward. The sole hope that remains is that
by some diplomatic machinery the meyi-
table defeat may be avoided.
1t is only necessary to read German
American newspapers and American news
Dapers with German leanirgs 10 perceive
that the machinery is being prepared for a
final drive to procure American interven-
tion. TO persuade President Wilson to Offer
his good offices and to use neutral and
Dro-Gernan influences the world over to
rupport this drive.
AS rar as the nations allied against
Germany are concerned, this attempt to
save Germany by procuring a premature
noace will fail. The French, British,
Russian and Italian armies and soldiers
have the feeling of victory IN their bones
now. The change in the spirit of all fight
inc armies on the Allied side since last
suring is unmistakable. Those who come
from all fronts bring the same testimony
The soldiers feel the crumblng of the
German armies They know that nothing
but the politicians can prevent the final
and complete victory.
Now. mediation by America, the offer Of
mediation, will be solely to the advantage
Of Germany. 1t will be accepted in Rome,
in Paris. in London and in Petrograd as a
final evidence of American subserviency
d. .sil OF rqc1lt IN
anv useful thing. 1t will not contribute
one slightest bit to the ending Of the war,
but it will very gravely compromise
American interests in the world.
This war has passed the point where
either side believes that it can end in a
draw, if the fight continues on the battle
field The Germans are strainlng every
nerve 70 hold their lines until the present
campaign is over and winter comes solely
10 have a case for peace negotiations.
They are putting their last reserves and
their final resources in TO make the APP
pearance Of a hopeless draw But if they
cannot make this appearance seem a
reality TO their enemies they know, as do
y their enemies, that the end is in sight
The Allies believe that the war can be
ended with complete victory by the next
summer campaign. They know now that
German strength is declining; they know
from battle experience that the tide has
turned and is running strongly with them.
A year ago, when the tide was running
quite as strongly in the other direction,
they declined TO consider peace. Last
spring, when the tide had not yet com
pletely turned, they promptly repulsed all
hints and whispers Of peace.
Now they have the consciousness of APP
preaching victory, and no man can sup
pose for a single moment that they will
patiently listen 10 an American voice,
which will be IN reality the voice Of
Germany, urging that there be a patched
up" peace, which will enable Germany 10
escape from the worst consequences Of
her crimes and her outrages visited upon
her enemies.
II Americans are % understand the
European situation today they must
understand the mood Of France and Brit
ain. They must ignore all the foolish pat
ter about the terrible cost in men and
money Of new campaigns. They must
dismiss the chatter about getting the
boys out Of the trenches" because the
fathers and mothers Of those boys and the
boys themselves are thinking not about
getting out Of the trenches today but OF
making new trenches unnecessary for a
generation at the least
The Allied nations mean % nave done
with this German menace which has
hung oye. them for generation. They