Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-26
The Won BuelOp StOry.s

The story that Prince Buelow, former Ger
man chancellor, is on the way to Washington
charged with a special mission by the Kaiser, may
be an important piece of news or merely an inter-
esting scrap of gossip. Time will tell II the re-
port is true weighty business is afoot. So eminent
diplomatist would not be sent to America at this
juncture except a purpose Of the first magnitude
The first inference, of course is that the ru-
mored mission has to do with peace overtures
The issues between Germany and the United
States tense though they have been, are
seemingly the way TO the disentangement
Count Won Bernstorff's handling of the submarine
controversy has been such to discount the sug-
gestton that he is to be supplanted as ambassador
There is no apparent reason why Emperor William
should send special representative to Washington
unless Germany is looking rather definitely toward
mediation in the European war.
The persistence of peace rumors in the last few
months has deepened the opinion that back of so
many shadows there must be some substance. In
Berlins latest note to the United States occurred
the much discussed passage:
The German Government, conscious of
Germany's strength, twice within the last few
months announced before the world its read
mess to make peace on basis safeguarding
Germany's vital interests, thus indicating that
il is not Germany's fault if.peace is still with
held from the nations of Europe"
without minimizing Germanys achievements in the
first half OF the magnifying her dangers
now. il is evident that her soberer statesmen to-
gether with the of her people, eager for
the struggles end
The United States stands ready at all times to
lend it's good Offices for mediation il it can do in
way that will be fair and acceptable to both bel
Hgerent groups. But the United States could not
act with propriety with hope of real service,
less IL were assured that its would be appre-
ciated by both sides. Much of the pacifist talk,
volunteered freely by well-intentioned but woe
fully misguided amateurs, is mere pribble-prabbIe
The European is not fsticuf into which any
bystander can rush in to make peace. 1t is a
struggle for ideals, a struggle involving national
destnies, and the of the whole worlds his
tory for ages 10 come. Until side or the other
declares itself ready to treat for peace, or until
both sides clearly intimate their desire for media
ton, the United States is under the neutral and
moral necessity of standing aloof
Neither the Central Powers nor the Allies have
yet pointed way to such service as this country
could render The Teutons want peace but peace
on their own terms. They realize, no doubt that
the longer the war, the shorter will be their hopes
OF victory and reward. But they do not want peace
desperately enough to for it. The Allies feel
that their strength and resources are just now
reaching the maximum and that persistence on
present lines will eventually win
In these circumstances the United States can
only await Developments. however profoundly it
wishes to see the worlds peace restored That i'm
pOrtant developments are not far in the future
there is good reason to believe; and should the
Kaiser really send~a special envoy to Washington.
confidence in that direction would be greatly
strengthened.