The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-12-14
THURSDAY. DECEMBER IA, 1916
GERMANY'S PROFFER FOR PEACE.

Germany chose moment psycholo-
gically appropriate to her designs to
make her tender of peace formally to
the Entente Allies. In the field she &C.
cupies position of advantage. On the
sea she has so employed her diving
boats that the pinch Of food scarcity'is
felt in Great Britain, chief among her
enemies and the one long considered
least susceptible to injury from without.
The ministries of three of her enemies
are in the thoes of reconstruction or
have just been reorganized-ad admissions
that the men heretofore in control have
been powerless to win the war. Ger
many has emonstrated she can hold
her own indefinitely, though she has
been unable to strike a decisive blow
in any direction; her victories over Bel
GUM, Serbia. Montenegro and Rumania
are without substantial effect unless
she can overcome the chief members of
the Entente. BY her announcement
that she is ready to negotiate terms of
peace she confesses she cannot win the
war. AS she bears the onus of start
ing the strife that swept over practical
ly all of Europe, she puts up to her ad-
versaries the responsibility for con-
tinuing it. She is ready to quit. Are
they willing to meet her part way? 1t
they are insistent upon crushing Ger
many she will continue to fight, ap-
pealing to the world to witness that she
rendered the olive branch and they re-
jected it. She is delivering some hard
blows in the Southeast now and can do
incalculable damage if her movements
are not arrested through diplomatic
channels. If the Entente Allies but say
the word her armies Will rest on their
arms.
This is no new decision with Germany.
Three times she has made known her
willingness to make peace. On the
second anniversary of the beginning of
hostilities, August last, the Kaiser in
litlldLSu lllC f1lllGS NOutu nave DEdEE any
time they would grant terms securing
the existence of the German Empire.
Twice Chancellor Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg has addressed the Reichstag to
the effect that Germany fought only
for the Fatherland and yearned for
peace that would permit it to endure in
safety. Only month ago he gave as
surance that Germany would gladly
unite with the nations of the world in
forming league of peace. All this un-
questionably was for the purpose of in
tiueneing public opinion in the lands be-
yond the battle lines, Evidently the
German war lords believe the cabinet
crises IN Britain and France and the
somewhat similar upheavel in Russia
are symptomatic that war-wearied
peoples in those countries will compel
their public administrators at least to
give ear to any proposals toward stop
ping the bloodshed and destruction.
How accurately they have judged re-
mains to be seen. Certain 1t is, how
ever, that enduring fame of a kind to
be cherished more than all the victories
of arms that are possible to conceive
will be the portion of the ministers who
guide the nations to a lasting peace Of
justice and honor, securing that tran
guilty of the world. 1t is greatly to be
doubted that such peace is possible or
ever will be possible. considering the
conflicting aims and interests of the
present belligerents. But the way is
open for trial of the sincerity of the
of the ar-makers. If their ambitions
are as virtuous as they have professed
them to be, an armistice ought to be
proclaimed before Christmas. Once
the roar of cannon is silenced that the
voice of reason may be heard the war
of arms will be over. What wonder
full Christmas gift for the world to
anticipate! What a mighty chorus
would rise on Christmas morning, this
year of our Lore 1916. of GLORY to God
in the Hlghest!'
The propositions put forth by Ger
many are not necessarily her last word
in terms that would be acceptable to
her. Indeed, it may be assumed they
will prove wholly unacceptable to the
Entente Allies. Germany must offer
more. What must be considered in the
Entente countries is whether the pres
ent suggestions offer basis for ne
gotiations with promise of agreement
establishing future security of all. The
words of Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollweg in the Reichstag and the
phraseology of the notes dispatched are
too boastful and threatening to be en-
couraging. Germany speaks as a mas
ter in the formal documents conveyed
to the enemy countries through the