New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-07
No Peace in Sight.

beInlndln-nOllNtB y SpttOH ~ tiic iN''NA@-
tag with irritation and chagrin. When
ever times were dull in Washington some
gifted correspondent used to outline ION
high authority" the peace terms which
Germany was willing to grant to OPP
ponents who had been unaccOuntaby slow
in recognizing that. according to the rules
of the German Kricgspicl, they were al
ready beaten.
These peace offers were put forward
solely for the purpose of influencing neu-
trail opinion. They were plausibly gen.
erous in emphasizing Germany's readiness
to evacuate Belgium and to contribute to
a restoration Of Belgian fortunes. They
also limited at a willingness to cede to
France small sections of Alsace and Lor-
raine. The future of the conquered por-
tons Of Russia was left more or less in
doubt. The main purpose of these German
peace "feelers" was to create neutral SYM
patty by an apparent acknowledgment of
the wrong done to Belgium and an appar-
ent pledge to atone in some measure for
what the rest Of the world has always
reprobated as a colossal political crime.
Chancellor Hollweg's speech
now makes scraps of paper" of those al
legged contrite professions as to Belgium.
What he outlines as Germany's policy tow
ard Belgium is only little less offensive
than an outright retention Of Belgian
territory would be. If Germany, before
evacuating Belgium, is going to insist on
guarantees that will restrict Belgian indie
pendence and freedom of action. and alter
for Germanys benefit, the status estab-
lished by the joint treaties under which
Belgium was made an internationally neu-
tralized kingdom, then Germany will be
allowed to make profit out of despica-
bic breach of international faith. If, fur
Their, the Flemish population of Belgium IS
TO be put under German protection and is
TO be used as an agency to promote Ger
many's political interests, then Belgian
unity will be undermined and only the SEM
blance of Independent nationality will be
left.
So far as the Allies are concerned such
a settlement of the Belgian problem would
be only little less tolerablc than annexa-
ton by Germany. In the eyes Of the world
at large it would amount to a conformation
of treachery and highwaymanry. Peace
on such terms could have no moral basis.
1t could not hold out the hope of any last
ing settlement in Europe itself, or of any
restoration of the rule of reason and
equity in the general field of interna-
tional affairs.
German intentions in Poland and the
Baltic provinces are even less conciliatory
than they are in Belgium. The Chancellor
saws that Germany will never of her own
free will hand back to Russia 1.-THE ma
tons between the Baltic and the Nolhynan
swamps. who have been freed by her and
by her alles-no matter whether they are
Poles. or Lithuanians. or Livonians, or
Baltans" This sentence plainly reveals
Germany's present purpose to hold the
territory which she has conquered on the
eastern front. and either incorporate 1t
into Prussia or consolidate parts of it into
tributary Polish kingdom. If the Allies
cannot consent TO a peace which does not
restore Belgium, they cannot, for equally
obvious reasons. consent to a peace which
would despoil Russia Of the greatest part
Of her holdings in Central Europe and
thrust her back into her ancient condition
as a scmi-Asiatic power.
The German terms OF peace, as officially
announced, would settle nothing. Yet the
Chancellor frankly acknowledges that any
peace which is 10 be made ought 70 be last
ing. The peace he offers bears in itself
the germs Of future wars. II is not the
sort Of a peace which could possibly rep
resent rcadjustmcnt Of power in Europe
for decades 10 come. Germany would ask
far more than she now asks if she were
confident Of victory. The Allies will de-
mand Of her sacrifices which she would
now consider monstrous If they ever wear
her down b. the point al which she must
admit defeat.
The Chsncellor's references TO Ger
man relations with this country fail also
70 disclose any marked concern on Ger
many's part 70 restore amity and preserve
peace. Disavowals Of any purpose TO in
wade Canada or 10 seize territory in South
America arc well enough in their way,
but we are just now much more interested
in obtaining disavowals Of another sort.
After eleven months Of negotiation the
Lusitania case is still unsettled, and out
RACES similar in character 70 the Lusitania
massacre still continue. There was no
promise IN the Chancellor speech Of an
amendment Of Gcrmany's murdcrous prac.
tices. What he said about submarine
atrocities was merely AN invitation 70 ncu.
trail sufferer % cultivate further the for.
bearancc and tolerance " insult Of which
our own government has given so note
worthy an example.
II we can stand IL, Germany can. But