New-York tribune., 1916-06-24
No Mediator Wanted.

In view of President Wilson's recent
speech to the League TO Enforce Peace
now figuring as one Of the planks of th'
Democratic national platform it will b,
interesting to our readers to know just
what leading publicists abroad think OF
the suggestion that he ought to be chosen
as mediator and arbitrator of Europe'S
"insane" quarrel. The President has an
nounced that he is ready to fix the terms or
which the peace of the world is to be guar
anteed in perpetuity after this war ends
Has his declaration evoked Europe's graft
tude? Is his offer acceptable to the powers
which. in his patronizing judgment, have
committed an "act of Madness?
VI. Gabriel HanotauX, member of the
French Academy and former Minister OF
Foreign Affairs, gives a pointed, though
courteous, answer to these questions in an
article which appeared in the Paris
Figaro" of May 81. 1t was written for
Americans. and we are glad to republlsh L
herewith as candid commentary on Mr.
Wilson's world pacifcation programme:
81 have just taken part in a cere-
monv in honor Of American soldiers
who have died for France. While the
service was being conducted by the
Rev. Mr.. Watson in the church Of the
Avenue de rAlma and while an en-
thusiastic crowd was covering with
flowers the statues of Washington and
La Fayette in the Place des Etats-
Unis. promised myself that | would
submit to the sober judgment of the
American conscience on the eve of an
election so important for the future Of
the world the following considera-
tions:
"First-The offensive against Yer
dun has lasted more than three
months. We are astonished that 1t is
still being pursued with such fury
when it has been demonstrated that
the strategic value of the position can
not assure any decision so far as the
issue of the war is concerned. The
reason for the continuance of the at
tack is this: 1t is that the Hohen-
zollern dynasty needs victory. 1t is
desired to secure the Crown Prince the
baton of a marshal by a victory, no
matter at what price. -Four hundred
thousand men will perish, and more
than four hundred thousand, If neces-
sary. to satisfy the vanity and ambi-
ton of single individual. The Amer
lean democracy ought to know this in
order to have a clear idea of recent
events.
"Second-The promises of Germany
to the United States on the question Of
submarine warfare are not sincere.
These promises are a means, for Ger
many. of gaining time to construct a
feet of seagoing submarines with
which she hopes to make herself
mistress of navigation, even in Amer
lean waters. When that fleet is ready
Germany will unmask her batteries.
"Third-It has been said that the
European war is an dCJ OI nlduIIeSo
on the part of the powers engaged IN
it. In France we think, on the con-
trary, that in fighting for the right,
for the weaker states, for the sane
tity of treaties, we are showing su-
preme wisdom. We think, too, that
those who have an opposite idea and
express it in such rude terms are
themselves far from wise.
"Fourth-There is talk in the
United States of mediator In this
war there will not be, and there can
not be, any mediator"
For our part, also, we do not expect tc
see a new world order created after the
war by Mr.. Wilson's intervention. Tha;
order will be established not in accordance
with his ideas, but in accordance with the
ideas of the nations which have fought for
political and moral readjustment anc
which have borne the terrible burdens anc
sacrifices through which alone such re
adjustment could be obtained