The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-09
MANY THEORIES ADVANCED

ht4tI ADF AINOED
 Many theories are discussed here as to how peace might be accomplished if 1t were but a matter of give and take at the conference table, but this greatest of all world wars has wrought such havoc of loss to all engaged iN tt that the mere settlement on paper Is not to be compared with the problem of setting things right lat home"
 ''1t is when we get to that phase of the situation that I feel matters are all but hopeless" said a man of outstanding prominence in the diplomatic circle of Stockholm. "The war has gone on and on, accommodating headway and drawing nation after nation into it's grasp, until l confess I cannot see how the end will come. Who will take the initiative for peace? I am convinced 1t cannot come from the outside. It must come from one of the belligerents. but who of the belligerent parties has been so mortally hurt as to take a defensive position in the conference by first suggesting or ac- cepting an offer of peace?
 Tt is nonsense to say that the nations at war do not want peace. But they all feel there must be some sort of decision in their favor. How can the various governments face their people with empty hands? There have been on sug- gestions thus far of a peace that would mean peace at home to all the countries now engaged in war and unless someone can suggest such a peace for one do not see how there can be a settlement unti, there shall have been more overwhelm- ing military advantage than either side yet has gained"
 It is difficult to find in Stockholm any, one who believes other than that the war will eventually end with German troops occupying foreign soil on every front. This view has even been expressed here by war correspondents accredited to entente newspapers and who, fresh from the western front, have passed through Stockholm on their way to watch the Russian campaign of the present summer They believe that a powerful, concerted move on all fronts by all the allies at the same time might develop a weakness here and there in the German and Aus trian lines which would give the allies material military advantage. But they feel that an attempt to drive the Ger mans back within their own borders would mean losses not to be estimated, even by the standards of the last few months at Verdun.
 There Is of course to be considered the allied hope that the pressure of the block ade may bring Germany to terms But in the discussion of this phase of the war here in press and in official circles a par allel often is drawn with the American Civil war. It is argued that if the Con- federate states, with thefr poorly equipped army. lack of outside supplies and in- vaded territory could withstand the northern blockade for four years and succumb eventually only after overwhelm- ing military reverses. it is difficult to tell how long it would require to conquer Germany by a Starvation campaign"
 And yet. entirely apart from any "offi- c1al' statements that may emanate from Berlin. it can be said on the authority of men recently come from the German hospital, that Germany expects l. gain nothing from the war; According to no less than three of these men, whose re- ception here in the highest German circles left no doubt as to their standing, Ger many will be conten< to exchange the conquered territory in France and to evacuate Belgium and Servia in return for the German colonies overseas
 KINGDOM OF POLAND
 "As far as can see," said one of these men, the total net result of the war will be the creation of the kingdom of Poland. Germany will not consent that Poland shall pass back under Russian control.
 But he exclaimed. what a price to pay for the freedom Of Poland"
 Will the people of Germany be satis- fled with such settlement?
 There, admittedly. is the problem. Ger many takes the ground that she has merely defended herself against aggres- sion in this war. The Emperor repeatedly