Evening star., 1916-12-13
THEODORE W. NoYEs.........Editor
The Evening Star Newspapers Company
1lth St and Pennsylvania Avenue.
The German Peace Proposal.

The German Peace Proposal.
Whether in expectation of possible
acceptance, or merely for psychological
effect upon her own people and the peo-
pies of the entente nations, Germany
has proposed peace. That fact is of i'm
portance, inasmuch as the proposal is
made formally, in broad terms, openly
before the world. 1t cannot be brushed
aside as assuredly impossible of accept
ance until the specific terms are made
known. Generally, however, it seems Of
a nature to meet with prompt rejection
by the allies.
Germany proposes, it would seem from
q reading of the available documents,
to enter upon peace negotiations on the
basis of restoration of conditions as
they were prior to the war save for the
establishment Of Poland and Lithuania-
both in Russia-as independent king
doms, and that the Balkan questions,
involving the future of Serbia, be re-
This would mean the restoration to
France of the portion now occupied by
Germany, to Belgium of her territory,
to Austria of those parts near the Adri-
attic taken by Italy and to Germany of
her colonies. Under these terms there
would be no war indemnities. Each ma
tion would be left to restore with its
own resources the losses incurred
through the war. The balance of gain
in such an adjustment would unmistak-
ably be in Germany's favor
Under such terms Germany would be
rendered whole, with no losses save in
lives and the money cost of the war
She would virtually gain large por-
tion of western Russia through the es-
tablishment Of Poland and Lithuania as
theoretically independent kingdoms, ac-
tually under Teutonic influence in the
designation of monarchs. She would re-
gain all her colonies. Her soil has not
been touched, save in East Prussia for
very brief period at the outset, and
there is no material damage to repair
even there. Meanwhile her enemies
have been scourged by the war, and, un-
less indemnities are paid, must e1pend
enormous sums in the restoration of the
ante-bellum conditions. Save in Austria
there has been no damage to the states
of the Teutonic alliance.
Though Germany may claim that this
condition reflects Teutonic victory in
the war to this stage, the proposal is not
calculated to appeal to the entente gov
ernments or their peoples. Russia es-
pecially is hit by it. Considering the
recent display of national spirit in Rus
sia, manifesting itself in a veritable par
iamentary revolution, and inspired by
the possibility that separate peace with
Germany was under consideration in
higher Russian circles, it is hardly to be
expected that Russia will agree to peace
terms which net that country tre-
mendous loss Of territory, permanent
closure of all possibility of access to the
Mediterranean and no recompense what
ever for the tremendous sacrifices the
Russian people have made in the war.
England is not directly affected by
the proposed peace terms, for England
has lost no territory. But these terms,
if adopted as the basis of peace, would
leave England distinctly subordinate to
Germany in the European equation
There is nothing, save the bare prospect
of a surcease Of fighting, to recommend
the plan to the British people.
As a move TO stimulate a demand
among the entente peoples for peace, to
bring pressure upon the governments
Of the allied powers, this proposal may
be shrewdly framed and timed. Moth
ing is risked by its advancement, and
something may be gained. Germany at
least secures the prestige of having
made the first overtures for the stop
ping of the slaughter. Whether that is
Of any advantage time alone can deter
mine.