The Washington times., 1916-12-13
dERMANY's PEACE MOVE

uon 10 70 Nbe FOUND, ana II II curious
that commentators hxve not be-
thought themselves of II, in
the proceedings that marked
the beginning Of the end
Of the Russo-Japanese conflict.
That was war between militaris-
tic, completely prepared, compact
nation, Japan, and q non-miiitary,
ill-prepared, diffused empire, Russia.
Japan, ready ito the last CATERS
button" struck the first blow, seiz-
ing the sea road to Manchuria rs
Germany in like manner seized the
route to France through Belgium.
Japan pressed her advantage swift
ly, for II was her game to win while
the advantage Of preparedness and
the short lines of communication was
all on her side. This, likewise, was
exactly parallel to the present con-
test.
Japan won battle after battle, held
the sea, took Port Arthur, but al
ways failed to win the conclusive
victory that could bring her enemy
10 her feet. II was as in the present
war. The theoretically neutral Lao
Tung peninsula was taken, just as
Belgium has been; Korea was over
run, a. Poland has been, but not i'm
mediately annexed. Instead there
was . pretense Of recognising Korea
~ entitled to autonomy under Japa-
nose domination, just as now Ger
many IL re-creating the kingdom Of
Poland, but making II practically
German dependency. Then the war
was pushed on into the Manchurian
hinterland. just a. Germany has
been compelled to extend her lines
into far Bahama, and into the Bal
tc provinces.
At length came the battle Of Muk-
den. II was q great japanese VIC
tory, but II did not bring the de-
struction Of the Russian army,
which escaped. retired, and proceed
Cd to build up It's strength for an
other trial. The superior resources
of Russia in men and credit were
beginning to tell, exactly as are the
larger resources of the allies now.
The naval battle Of the Sea Of Ja-
Jan changed nothing; II merely left
Japan In control Of the sea as she
had been all along: II was not un-
like the battle of Jutlsnd.
After Mukden and Tsu Shima It
seemed as IL Japan was at the crest
Of success and the height Of power.
She had nowhere been defeated; she
had won only victories. But her
snemy's armies were yet In the field,
and gaining In strength. II was i'm
possible for japan to keep up the
contest without taking desperate
chances Of being ultimately over
borne by the greater numbers and
wealth of Russia, whenever Russia
should be fully prepared.
So Japan permitted peace TO be
proposed; and II Is a most sugges-
tive fact that the German Emperor
was the instrument through whom
the first advance was made. He rec
ognized that he was not the right
person to take the initiative; and he
saw In Theodore Roosevelt the one
sovereign In the world so far de-
tached as to be qualified for that
task. So, a. has come 10 be under
stood In more recent time. President
Roosevelt was conveyed an intima-
ton that the time was ripe for a
peace proposal.
Japan was In q position TO discuss
peace; not to ask II. She was the
victor; but Japan knew, as nobody
else could know, her own position. II
was important. II not absolutely ne
cessary, TO bring hostilities to an end
and secure the most advantageous
terms before the tide should turn
against her.
Germany may we'll be believed to
be In q position not unlike that Of
Japan at that moment. Germany has
Just won . great military victory. In
Roumania- She sees her enemies,
however. more determined than ever;
feels the slackening Of her capacity
TO bring up new reserves; realizes
the inferiority Of her economic stock
and SO she Is willing to take ad-
vantage of her latest victory and ap-
pear magnanimous and humane by
proposing peace discussions.
But will the parallel 60 farther? :?
The Russo-Japanese war was never
a popular war in Russia. The Rus
sian people were not able to descry
their immediate concern about II. On
the contrary the present war is sup
ported by the almost unanimous
voice and purpose Of the people of
France, Britain, Russia, Italy. The
great preponderance of neutral opin-
ion Is on their side. Their resources
are being mobilized to greater and
o,yaatay poasses while thosa of Car