The Washington herald., 1916-04-16
Unrest at Home and Increas-
ing Privations, as Well as
Defeats, Lead Diplomatists
to Offer Most All Con-
quests for Peace.
BY JOHN L. BALnEasroN.

angling for peace. A new stage OF
the war. whose coming has been pre-
dictsd by careful observers ever since
the spring campaign of 1875, has ar
rived. It is characterized by pro-
found unrest among the German peo-
pie due to the discovery that German
arms are not invincfble. The German
people are discovering that they have
not conquered. and cannot conquer.
their enemies. They are coming TO
realize that the best Germany can
now expect Is q draw.
Material is not yet available here
to analyze the symptoms OF Internal
unrest, the fall of Won Tirpitz, the
bitter quarrel between the agrarians
and the public over who is responsible
for the high food prices, the revulsion
caused by the whispered stories OF
the hecatombs before verdun. But 1t
Is possible to Indicate very clearly the
effects produced on the governing
minds OF both alliances by the three
outstanding events of the past three
months. The Turkish rout In Armenia
and consequent abandonment OF the
attack on Egypt, the strategic failure
Of the Germans on the heights of the
Msuse. and the political crisis in Ger
many This win be done by consid-
erins the peace terms under oficial
discussion at the first of the year.
and comparing them with those now
discussed. unoficially. in official quar-
ters
Mentioned Peace Terms.
In a dispatch dated January s, 4
wrote: Germany would be willing to
conclude peace on approximately the
following terms;
Il. The independence of Poland
under the rulership of a German
prince. but with all possible regard to
the interests and prestige of Russia
with the new kingdom.
"2. Monetary compensation to Bel
guim for damage done. and return
Of financial contributions exacted from
Belgian cities excepting where such
payments have been fines imposed for
some offense.
-. Belgium to enter the Austro-Ger-
man-Turko-Bulsarian customs union, to
insure that Belgian foreign policy does
not again ccme under the control of
France and England, with renewed
danger TO German military interestA'
u The return of all German colonies
under formula providing for the
evacuation Of all conquered territory by
both sides. ...-.-
5. The cession to Italy by Austria of
the line Of the Isonzo river, involving
a strip OF territory to the west OF the
river Inhabited by Italians and a
recufication of the frontier Of the Tren-
tino, giving Italy control of some of the
Alpine passes of strategic Importance.
g. No war indenlnities.
-. The recognition Of German SOW
ereignty over sLuxennburg. in return for
which part OF lower Alsace win be ceded
TO France; cessions to France under no
circumstances to include Metz or stras-
burg '==--.-7-zlSs'-
g Recognition by the allies OF pre-
dominant German influence in Asiatic
Turkey, phrased IN such a way as to
spare Turk feelings and disguise the
virtual protectorate over Turkey which
Germany desires.
- Integrity of old Serbia; but Bui-
gsris TO retain Macedonia or new
Serbia"
Peace Talk gals Started.
which Germany would put forward. but
as representing the extreme concessions
which she would make after much
bargaining Though unofficial they rep
resented three months ago the beliefs Of
statesmen Thoroughly acquainted with
all the numerous hints and feelers put
forward from Berlin during the fall and
winter.
For nearly three months, while the
blows against Egypt and verdun were in
preparation, little peace talk was heard.
Now II has been started again all over
the world. IN the familiar German way.
Chancellor Bethmann-HoIlweg's recent
talk sIith Ambassador Gerard was the
most open move made, but the chancellor
did not definitely state terms, talking
vaguely about the evacuation Of Bel
gium, with compensation to that country,
and the evacuation OF France after pay
ment Of an indemnity. Some such COM
munication, understand, was also made
to the Spanish Ambassador, and the rep
FaSarraStva n th@ a. r>f
Bavaria was similarly honored.
The chancellor, IN these interviews, was
biurnng. IL is thought here, on the time
honored principle that IL Is inadvisable to
make your best terms first The approx
mate accuracy Of the German position
above, has since been abundantiy con-
frnsd. and arm able to state the pres
eut German position as IL is understood
In the quarters from which the January
peace terms Of both sides were obtained
Germany now stands pat on clauses /, l.
5. G. Z, and 0. shs Is willing TO drop
clause three providing for commercial
control ovsr Belgium. In other words to
sosndon her dream Of roenscing England
from Antwerp sos 10 prepared 10 eban-
ton the reservation tn clause two. and 70
pay Belgium all that country has lost
Clause 6 providing for q German pro-
tectorats over Asia Minor, has obviously
bsen upset By the Russian vfctorfss, Ger
many would now admit, and she would
propose q Russian sphere of influence In
Armenia, q German sphere In western
I Asta Minor, and q British sphere in Meso-
potannia- 80 goes giinmerfng the gilt
tsrtnz vfstcn OF q German empire In
Asia
Eject of Military Events.
2 The alterations which have taken place
IN Germany's aims since last winter fliu2-
trats the effect. on German diplomats. of
military events IN Armenia and France,
and Of political events In Germany But
those same events have altered the values
Of things n the eyes OF the allies as well
In my dispatch Of January g. I quoted
the minimum terms upon which my In
forrnants thought the allies might be
willing to arrange peace. In the tsbuia-
: tion. II was understood that the terms
to be mentioned were the lowest which
each country In the entente could accept
without revolution taking piace. and Ak
planned that for this reason the terms
were more likely TO be fmpossibiy lsnisnt
than TO offer any loophole for further
concessions
From the allies standpoint" the dis
patch said. accepting the result Of the