Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-12-20
THE, REPLY OF THE ALLIES.


The reply Of the Allies 10 German peace proposals
was forecast with perfect that propht>ic,
would come true, and come true they did
The Allies are in 40 position to quit The wilr.
while the close of the year finds the Central Power>
in 10y far the best position to entertain peace ncgotia
ti0ns they have reached since the battle of The
Marine
The Allies have achieved virtually none of the Oh
jectS they announced actuating them in entering
the conflict. Belgium is not won back; France has
not only been unable To retake more than small
part Of .Alsace lorrlne, but much larger portion
of her territory is in German hands. Russia has lost
Poland and much other ground. Serbia IS ANN
hilated. Rum;inia is almost submerged. Italy has
gained something from Austria, but not her coveted
goal, Trieste.
The British navy has swept German mercantile
shipping from the seas and the Allies have killed
Gernlanys overseas commerce and foreign trade
and conquered Germanys colonies. The German
fleet has been bottled Up with more than fair
amount of success, but Teuton submarines continue
To do a damage TO Allied and neutral shipping
which is keeuy felt.
Though the Central Powers have lost their valu,
able overseas possessions territorial and CONNER
cial--they have materially enlarged their European
boundaries. That is why they are in now the best
POSITION since lBc war 10 tdlk Oh pedCt -At
the very outset of the war their colonies doomed
and the fate OF their searade sealed but they have
slowly turned the scales of the land combat in their
favor by an organization of forces which has evoked
reluctant admiration even from their enemies. In
brief, the Central Powers suffered their greatest
losses at the beginning Of the war and have since
developed their greatest gains speaking of the
factors which must count when the diplomats sit
down TO negotiate peace terms.
: The Alies-Britain partieularly-wage the war
in the name of humanity and justice toward Bel
GUM Obviously, a peace which does not include
restoration Of Belgium to independence, with huge
indemnity for its ravishment is not the peace which
the Allies have said would be attained at any cost
10 themselves. obviously, any peace negotiations
based on the present map of Europe arc impossible
of acceptance to the Allies. Obviously, too the
Allies cannot enter into negotiations without
acknowledging that they are unable TO force the
Central Powers to the terms they have promised the
world will he melted out.
Premier Lloyd Georges speech could not have been
bluff brusque refusal to discuss peace in any way.
No begerent in so-called "civilizedp war can re
fuse TO listen when suggestions for end to conflict
come from the other side Particularly in such a
desperate, exhausting war this, with nations
wiped ont and other nations in the throes of life
.anddeath struggle, no hint of peace plan, be it
ever slight, ever impracticable, can be ahso-
lutely turned down without a hearing if it comes
from the other side.
But Lloyd George has made it perfectly plain that
The Allies will 90 fighting because they do not be-
lieye Germany will grant the only kind fpeace they
can now accept.
Instead of shortening the war, the present pro,
p0sal may very well have the effect of lengthening it.
For Germany has proclaimed the Central Powers
victorious in their European campaigns and in so
many words expressed readiness either to talk
peace now or to fight on. And the Allies have re-
affirmed an impIacabe intention of reducing the
TentOns to their terms. Consequently, the peoples
of the Central Empires have been told that they
can carry this war through TO victory, if the Allies
insist that it must be war; and the peoples Of the
Entente group have been told that triumph awaits
them If they but continue their struggles and sacri
fees. In the Central countries particularly, any
move to yield to the Allies, any reduction in the
terms any concessions will be der to explain
after the chancellors speech than before it,