The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-04-07
oRRMANY's PEACE TERMS

The vague outline of peace terms
presented by the German chancellor
in his Reichstag speech will be stud
led with profound interest in the
capitals Of the world, especially Of
the allied powers. The address as a
whole sounds like an invitation to
France to withdraw from the pres
ent entente; If not now, then after
the war, and with regard to future
political dispositions on the CONT
nent.
France, as the speech is inter-
preted at Berlin, will be given back
her conquered provinces and no in
demnity will be asked. Belgium will
be restored, and it is assumed from
the chancellor's remarks that it will
be rehabilitated on terms far more
satisfactory to France than to. Eng
land. II is conditioned that Belgian
and French territory must be re-
stored under conditions that will in
sure that in future it shall not be
gateway through which Germany
may be attacked.
This would seem to mean only one
thing, in view of the fact that Ger
many and noe her enemies used this
territory as a gateway. 1t would
seem to mean that France must give
assurances that. will in effect detach
her from the entente and either at
tach her in some wise to Germany,
or else leave her neutralized, perhaps
under some disarmament plan.
German policy, as outlined by the
chancellor and interpreted by Ger
man politicians, is, to detach France
from the anti German group, and TO
make Belgium substantially a Ger
man dependency. This would leave
Germany and Austria to deal with
Russia and Great Britain in the fu-
ture. Russia is to be deprived Of
Poland; perhaps Of Courland and
part Of Lithuania. These geographi-
cal terms may not signify much to
the average person; but they mean,
in such a connection, that Germany
is bidding for French support in
making Russia pay the allies indem-
nifty out of Russian territory. To
give up ,Courland and Lithuania,
along with Poland, would be. q dis
memberment of European Russia
that would for all the future prevent
that country realizing its ambitions
for greatness. 1t would make Ger
many the vastly preponderant power
on the Continent. With France de-
tached from her present allies Ger
many and Austria, as thus reeonsti-
tuted, would be able to take their
time preparing for their next as
sault, against Britain and Russia.
That this assault would be made
is indicated by the especially vigor-
oussinsistenee of2the chancellor that
there must Rbesn no interference with
German -nnilitarism. That system
must be preserved in any peace, as
Germany's instrument with which to
protect" the Continent in future.
The Continent may want the VOLTS
protection to the sheep; but at the
price demanded from Russia, and
with the menace. to. French independ-
ence ald2 British power that would
be involved in such terms, it Isl quite
impossible to suspect that the pro-
posal will be taken seriously. -.
Germany has for a long time been
showing disposition to court France.
Her eagerness might even induce
her to restore Alsace and Lorraine,
along with the northern provinces;
but whatever may be conceded to
France, would be In the nature of a
bride to buy France away from her
present allies. France will not take
the bride; no other country in the
world could be more surely relied
upon TO reject such dishonorable
That the German chancellor out
lines any terms at all9is indication
that his. country is beginning to be
| willing tottalR about peace. But the
megnl maniac terms put forward in
the present state of the discussion
are Beyond possibility of considera-
ton AObNiously,l Germany is just
now feeling to learn which one of
the alIies{cait most likely be bought
off with favorable conditions. II is
not 10 be believed, in view of the
harmony and eaIpestness of the re.
cent military and economic confer.
ence at Paris, that either one OF
them will yield to the temptation.