Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-28
Can the Kaiser Work lt7

for an immediate conference OF bellig-
erent delegates, might be received with
more respect by enemies and neutrals
but for the methods employed by CEN
trail allies from the very hour of the
dash toward Paris in August, 1914.
AS predicted all along. the central al
lies must suffer in the estimation of
the world for trampled treaties; for
merciiess destruction of all that was
dear to those who CHANGED to stand
in the way, innocent or guilty. of the
Prussianistic purpose: for the purely
devilish air raids on innocent nom
combatants; for such as the Lusitania
wholesale murder for murders sake;
for the enslavement of Belgians-all
these and countless other acts are
recorded by the civilized world against
the devotees of Prussianism. and, in
this hour. everybody distrusts the pro-
posals from Germany.
The German emperor would capital
ize Woodrow Wilson as Carranza has
made use of him, the entente allies
think, and who can blame them? The
American President has promptly re-
sponded with the very card which the
Kaiser. in a willy way, invited-get the
allies to talking about what they want.
% they can get a. glimpse at the
hands Of each other.
The allies must first down Prus-
sianism Cor give up the job and then
settle shares of the honor by diplo-
macy and the kindly offices of friend
ly neutral powers. Emperor William
must play the game for effect at home
even if his play is better understood
abroad. The German people must re-
main convinced that the war is going
relentlessly on in spite of the Kaiser's
repeated attempts to bring about
peace. President Wilson's good inten-
tions dovetail into his scheme.
conference of belligerent delegates
at a time when each group is con-
temptuous Of the other, would serve
chiefly to change the common pur-
pose of the entente allies to one of con-
hicting position and suspicious of each
other; while with the central group no
such danger exists. With the shrewd
German there is a chance to gain
much and nothing to lose.
President Wilson's note, to which
Germany's reply was so prompt as to
cause suspicion, when we consider the
slow process of securing so much as a
grunt for weeks after mote" on the
Lusitania or other American affairs,
was rhetorical means of bringing be-
fore the German people the fact that
they are fighting for existence now and
against century of paying for dead
horse.
Lloyd George has told his people
that there will be no conference.-the the
Kaiser has formulated the terms upon
which he is willing to make peace.
The British Premier went further than
this. He exposed the terms upon
which the Allies are willing to make
peace-and there are three points in
volved. One. complete restitution;
two, complete reparation; three, ade
quate guarantees for the future. Rus
bia and France had already said this
before Lloyd George made his speech;
and they said it more emphatically-
especially Russia, where the Gar. the
Duma and the Council of Europe spoke
in identical terms.
Who can imagine PREPARATION" by
Germany and Austria after all the ter
rible cost OF the last two and a half
years?
complete restitution" means that
Belgium goes back to the Belgians,
that Serbia goes back to the Serbs,
that Montenegro goes back to the
Montenegrins. that Roumania goes
back to the Romans, that Poland and
Lithuania go back to the Russians,
tHdt Tic bdihdH DOunudTleS remain us
they were traced by the Treaty of
Bucharest To this should be added a
further restitution, the righting of an
ancient wrong: Alsace and Lorraine go
back to France.
"complete rsparation" means that
Belgium Is to be reconstructed at Ger
man expense, that Northern France is
similarly to be set ir order as it was in
1914, that devastated Serbia is to be
reconstructed. that overridden Monte
negro is to be restored to the Petro-
witches, that the money wrung from
Belgium by her German conquerors is
to be paid back, and that every atone
ment which is materially possible is to
be made to the suffering peoples whose
right to autonomy and to neutrality
has been beaten down.
adequate guarantees for the future"
mean that German disarmament is
condition precedent to even a discus
sion of peace. that something more
+bop ga Scran of paner" must he had