Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-02-03
EUROPEAN PEACE PREDICTION.

one of the Teutonic grounds OF hope
the possibility of inducing some OF the
allies TO make separate peace. 1t will
be recalled that early in the struggle
Germany began complimenting the
French soldiers and limiting at the
favorable terms France could secure. il
the Paris government would consent to
was really little bone OF contention
between the two powers as compared
with the struggle for world commerce
between Britain and Germany. That Is
true, and if Germany had thought to en-
plastic this truth through the passing
decades. this whole struggle might easily
desert England. however. and the allied
agreement not to conclude peace until
all of the entente powers were ready
| seemed to have indefinitely postponed
hope Of ending the war in that way.
Later on the Germans conceived the
| idea that they might Nc able to ALLEVIATE
allies. by concessions in the Balkans
and the opening Of the Black sea to
world commerce. Various tests in the
| direction indicated were made, but all
hope Of separate peace with Russia was
| dssipatcd by the Cars published asser-
ton thai he would not make peace until
| entente allies.
! To all appearances the Teutonic pow
ers have been manoeuvering Of late to
cut Italy off from the rest of the entente
allies with the idea that in this direc-
| ton lay the way to ultimate success.
The latest moves of the Austrian forces
Albania and in cutting off Italys terri
torial ambitions in that direction. is
thoroughly in harmony with this idea.
! 1t is also significant that the Italians
have never declared war on Germany,
! and that in this series Of drives in the
Balkans the Germans have studiously
be a stroke against the Italians, although
the Kaiser has freely stated what he
| would do to Italy after this cruel war
is over.
Schekow, the Bulgarian seneralissimo
has now given voice TO this evident
hope Of the reutonic powers in relation
| to finding a vulnerable point in the
entente armor on the Adriatic sea
! According to this authority the sur
render of Montenegro has practically
eliminated Saloniki as a strategic point
and he predicts the French withdrawal
from that Greek port in the near future
just as the British withdrew from the
Dardanelles. This, he says. will preci-
plate cabinet crisis in France with
the overthrow OF the present government
by the radicals as result Schckow
adds; Germany and her allies will
force peace upon their enemies this
year IN any event, and perhaps in the
very near future. about spring Spring
Will in any event bring great and de-
cisive developments. Everything points
to the conclusion that Italy will make
separate peace by spring at the latest
because she Will have become convinced
that the quadruple entente can not guar
antee ultimate victory and because in
ternal conditions will force her to make
peace"
1t must ne admitted that the strik-
insly small results of the Italian opera
tons against the Austrians thus far and
u me lack OF decisive gains on the part
or the Italian forces seeking foothold
IN Albania have been ground for
grievous disappointment to the ambitious
Italians This must especially be the
l. case when the Italians recall the Offer
u or concessions involving far greater ter
rltory than any yet gained from Aus
n tria, II they you'd consent to keep the
s peace even.
U On the other hand, Italy must follo"
d the example OF all other belligerents