Evening journal., 1916-12-16


proposal for peace by definite sug-
gestion that there be a conference OF
representatives OF the nations at war,
and that at this conference the basis
of negotiation shall be the restora-
ton of Belgium and the return to the
territorial cond tions OF July, 1914,
The Tribune believes that a distinct
step toward ultimate peace will have
been taken, even il, as is probable,
ibis proposal is rejected by the Allies
at the present time.
It is Inevitable that such a proposal
would be regarded by the enemies OF
Germany as an evidence OF weakness;
II is conceivable that they possess bet
ter evidence than we in America can
have of the internal conditions OF
Germany. II Is probable that at this
time the French would not cons der
the abandonment OF their justified as
piration TO repossess the provinces
ruthlessly and wrongfully taken from
them IN 1871, and that Italy would
not agree 10 renounce her claims to
the Italian-speak'n districts OF Au7-
tria-above all to Trent, which is the
key to Northern Italy. Nor can we
bel eve that Russia, after such great
sacrifices and losses. would now
forego her hope OF winning Constan-
tinople.
But it must equally be recognized
that with such a German proposal as
the foregoing in the minds of the
peoples of the Allied countries II
would be necessary for the r soldiers
and their statesmen 10 demonstrate
in the next cam1aign that complete
victory was possible. II is probable that
the peoples Of France. Russia. Britain
and Italy are resigned, even ready
to bear the burden of another sum
mer OF war. because they have conf
dence that II will bring victory. But
z Is hard to believe that their de-
termination passes this point, always
! provided that prospective peace
means a restoration of the conditions
of 1914 and therefore a guarantee o.
their integrity. and the preservation
| Of the balance OF power, which as
sures the berty of Europe.
Unless such a definite proposition
accompanies the German offer, how
ever, we must conclude that Germany
has taken the present step for reasons
OF policy-tO rally her own people, to
enlist the support of neutrais, an
above all to disorgan'ze the forces ol
her enemies and TO stimulate the agi-
tation for peace with n the ALLIED
countries AS a move of war, as a
! piece of higher political strategy, the
German proffer cannot have any
meaning for neutrals, who are prop.
eriy eager to see a just peace termi
nate a terrible war, but are equally
concerned in the preservation OF the
liberties OF Europe and Of the world
As The Tr bune eaid the other day
the main issue of the war is the pre-
serv9t'on OF the balance OF power i
Europe. This balance OF power hal
been destroyed by German conquest
during the war. Unless Germany nov
agrees to renounce all her con
quests. she constitutes a menace I
European freedom wholly comparabl
to the menace OF France under Loui
XIV and -Napolean. To agree to re
store Belgium and evacuate Norther
France would be but partial com0l
ance with the first essential OF peac'
for T It is OF no consequence to tn
pre~ervation Of The balance of powe
i'm Europe whether all OF Poland b
re-erected into a free state or IN
Russian fraction returned TO tn
Car. It is OF prime Importance tha
Germany should not be permitted {
control the destinies OF 100000
Poles and Lithuanlans.
The present war Is a German-mad
war to control Europe Ii has pre-
voked a coal ton against German
comparable TO the coalitions whic
ultimately restrained Louis XIV an
overthrow Napoleon. Nothing thi
has yet happened 20 the Allies
comparable with the disasters suffel
ed by the opponents of France. in th
other coalition wars. All the weigi
of b story points TO the ultimate d'
feat OF the German purpose to col
troll Europe, because all the oths
attempts OF a similar nature hay
failed and the coalition against Ge
many is more powerful in its relatiY
strength in the face OF Germany tina
was any coalition against France
the past.
On the other hand, Il is OF first in
portance to recognize that II the col
quest OF Europe by Germany Is in
possible (and the progress Of the WI
points to thisl, IL is just as plain thi
. much that the Allies undertook in q
first days of the war has proved equa
~ nusOry and must be abandone
Agreeing that the ccndit ons Of 10
I must be restored, agreeing that q
questions OF Alsace-LOrraine and
Trieste and the Trentino must ha'
an equitable settlement, agreeing tn
5 the Balkan question must be resolve
and that German domination at q
p Golden Horn must be abolished, mu
it not also be agreed that the Ali
W II have also to lay aside certa
purposes?
Q At the outset of the war the Briti'
part cularly, but all the Allies in
measure, announced that they pu
z posed to abolish German militarisi
to overthrow the domination Of Pru
sia within Germany and destroy [
HohenzOllern throne. Setting o
n W tn a clear and utterly just deter
\ nation to defend Serbia and resc
Begun, the Allies at the sam no
undertook crusade against tho &C
{. man system of national eXisten
. VIII ch can be compared only TO
cru ade OF Monarchical Euro
against the French Republic of l79'
Ne must recall that this tren
: Republic had been guilty of afro
tics which seemed as terrible 20 [
Europe OF that time as the Belgi
Fs,I0as