New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-15

pear now. But for these Europe was not
strong enough 10 punish the French peo-
ME. who defended their unity.
Must not the Allies now return to
simpler and saner programme? Their
original purpose to defend Belgium and
Serbia was sound. The determination to
restore TO France what was taken from
her wrongfully in 1914 and in 1871 can be
sustained, and The Tribune believes 1t
should be sustained. ltaly's claim to the
Trentino. which means control Of the door
to her northern provinces, admits Of no
debate. There are other adjustments
which do not menace the existence Of Ger
many or Of Austria.
But all adjustments aside from the main
adjustment, the restoration of the balance
of power are things that are incidental.
Germany wrongfully, yiciousiy assailed the
liberty Of Europe. She conducted her
campaign with a brutality and a bestial-
ity which will remain a reproach for gen.
erations. But despite all these things the
war has now come 10 such point and the
issues have become so complex that the
people of the Central Powers are fighting
as a unit in the defence Of their national
existence and the independence of Austria,
and they are fighting with much of the
determination and not a little of the sue
cess Of the French Of the Revolutionary
era.
To The Tribune it seems that much
good would flow from a restatement Of
allied purpose. Are the Allies resolved
to continue the war until Germany and
Austria agree TO restore Belgium and
Serbia? Until Germany agrees to indem-
Nifty Belgium and return Alsace-Lorraine
TO France? Until Austria agrees to in
demnify Serbia and restore to the Latin
world the Italian-speaking districts OF
Trent and Trieste? Until Russia regains
ter lost provinces and is assured Of pos
session at the Straits? Let them say
so, and say so in response TO the German
proposal for peace. Such a programme
would have the approval of the neutral
world. Save in the case Of CONSTANT
nople it would be open TO no question,
and in the matter Of Constantnople the
Turk has no title TO Stamboul, while the
reace Of Europe will remain in peril as
long as Russia is denied access to the
warm water.
Such a programme would find complete
support among the peoples Of the Allied
nations It would deprive Germany of her
conquests and of the foundations she has
laid in this war for new wars of conquest.
It would, at the same time, have no threat
20 the essential unity Of Germany or Aus
tris. and it would utterly dispose of the
used so effectively by German
and Austrian rulers, and leaders at home,
and even among ill-informed neutrals, that
the Allies are seeking TO destroy Germany
and Austria It is time to have done with
illusions, and the most dangerous Of all
Illusions is that Germany can be rebuilt by
hostile nations or persuaded TO rebuild her
self by the menace Of her imminent de-
struction.
It begins to appear that the German pro-
posal for peace was but an extension Of
policy and an effort 10 create strife be-
tween Allies and unrest within the Allied
nations. At the outset the Allies may very
Justly demand that Germany outline her
peace proposal. If this demand is COM
piled with the best counter-move, 1t would
seem, would be an answer which would
put the issues Of the war, as the Allies see
them and mean to fight for them, clearly
before the German and Austrian people.
This done, the war can be resumed without
further hesitation, for peace until these
things are assured is unthinkable.