Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-29
Renewed Talk OF Peace

DRESIDENT WILSON'S interest in peace
merely reflects the interest of the world.
Humanity wearies Of such bloody sacrifices
as this great war daily entails. Neutrais as
well as belligerents pray for the time when
this bitter cup shall be taken from the lips Of
mankind, and this prayer was voiced, in effect,
In the Presidents carefully worded speech be-
lore the League to Enforce Peace, on Satur-
day night. He realized it was not his part
TO discuss the immediate program of the
league, and he said SO. Nevertheless he
with the league and the rest of the thinking
world ardently longs for peace.
But peace, now as since the war began is
question OF terms. There never was time
when either side could not have brought a
cessation of hostilities by yielding to the
VIII Of the enemy For the allies to make
peace on any conditions that do not include
the evacuation of Belgium and the occupied
portions of France and some reparation for
the cruel wrongs done the Belgian people is
conceivable only on the hypothesis that the
allies have lost their capacity for a sustained
offensive
Peace talk comes principally from Ger
many. This does not indicate that Germany
is crushed for the recent demonstrat lions OF
her military power disprove any such as
sumption, but it does show, we believe that
Germany's rulers realize she has reached the
limits Of her powers and of her conquests and
that from this time there must be a steady
retroceSSiOn. That retroceSsion NAV be slow
but 1t will be sure.
In our own Judgment, there is little real
chance or peace until after the next allied
offensive. The success or failure OF that
enterprise will indicate where military
superiority resides, or, as the President is
said to have concluded, that a stalemate has
been reached Public opinion in the allied
countries would not indorse a peace con-
Guided before the new armies OF Britain and
the levles OF Russia have had opportunity
to show what they capable OF accomplish
ing There is justified faith also in the
potency OF the blockade.
We have heard much of the great allied
offensive hut if it is to be Il reality. il can
not much longer be delayed. AS matters
stand. the offensive, speaking generally is
yet in the hands of the Germans and Aus
TRANS. 1t seems incredible, however that
there VIII not be another tremendous effort
10 break through Germanys western line
If the President is right and there is a
stalemate. it will be known then TO the world
Then will come the time TO talk of peace
with some reasonable hope that what is said
Will receive not only Worldwide attention
| but also worldwide favor.
Meanwhile, il is we'll that the nations and
particularly this country, as the one great
neutral power, should consider how peace
once made. may be forever kept And EXCEPT
for certain definite terms outlined by the
! President, such as absolute freedom Of the
seas. long detailed agreements as to
specific points are necessary. Nor would
| they be effective
| What is needed what is absolutely essen
| tial, is n common code of morals accented
| by all the nations and enforceable by all the
| nations in concert Private warfare between
individuals is no longer possible in organized
| society, because organized society takes iuris-
| diction of private disputes and settles them.
| Whel organized society. in It's broadcst sense,
| shall include the nations as units each OF
| which shall be subject 10 the government Of
! all, then permanent International peace will
be assured and only then.