Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-13

Napoleon after long years of victory.
A Bare Possibility.
1t is. perhaps, unwise to regard this
talk of a separate peace between Bel
GUM and Germany as more than a re-
mote possibility. But at least it is this
and it is the first real indication of the
possibility that the present year may
see the end of the war. TO say such a
course would be wise for the Germans is
to go beyond the province Of the foreign
observer. Yet it Is plain that the adj
vantages are very great and it is equally
clear to all-neutral and belligerent alike
that there can be no peace. short of
complete exhaustion, which is not yet i'll
sight. unless Belgium is evacuated.
German attention has for many
German public opinion has been edu-
Gated to believe that the real profit for
Germany's great sacrifices will come in
the near east, and the more recent Ger
man suggestions for peace have all in
cluded the proposal to evacuate Bel
GUM. the assurance that no French
territory will be taken and the hint
that British conquest of German colo
MES will be recognized as final. pro-
vided Germany and Austria are allowed
to dominate the Balkans and Turkey
is assigned to the Teuton as his place
in the sun.
In all this the evacuation of Belgium
and the signing of a separate peace with
Belgium is a logical detail. The Incl
dental evacuation of France removes the
main cause for French participation in
the war. 1t leaves to the French only a
narrow front on which to act; 1t leaves
for the British armies now in France no
field for operations 1t All and would prob
ably lead to their transference to the
Balkan and Egyptian fields. 1t might
easily lead to the destruction of the pres
ent solidarity among the enemies of the
central powers, because the several ma
tons would be unequally interested in
the prosecution of the war and the great
moral issue would be removed.
1t is entirely reasonable to believe that
before Germany actually agrees to such a
bargain she will make one more try in
the west. and many reports seem to point
to such an attempt. But the failure of
this attempt might bring successful
counter attack and then the chance
might have vanished. 1t is also equally
reasonable to believe that all the report
ed preparation represents demonstra-
ton intended to hasten a Belgian deci-
SION and to contribute to persuadng
King Albert to save his little state from
more agonieS and new dangers.
As to Chance of Peace.
1t would be inaccurate to say that
lHeTe IS, ds yet, any real evidence that
there can be peace before autumn. Yet
1t is fair to say that the suggestion
that Belgium be permitted to retire
from the conflict with all the honors
of war. richly earned. is a suggestion
that, If acted upon, would remove the
greatest obstacle to a general settle
ment and might lead to further ex-
change of views between the con-
testants.
And this discussion should also serve
to emphasize again the fact so fire.
quently overlooked that the battle of
the Marine was decisive battle and
that it did end the German campaign
in the west. SO far as that campaign
aimed at giving Germany the predomi-
nant position in Europe and at elimin-
ating France as great power. The
war has been going on now for many
months because the Germans have still
the firm belief that they can free Po-
land and make it buffer state under
a German prince and acquire the
hesemony of the Balkans.
1t is by no means uncomfortable tina I
they would consent to drop the Polish
plan and ask no more than the Balkan
and Turkish profits. if by such a sur
render they could obtain peace. But
this is for the future. Now it is suf-
ficient to point out that the rumors
respecting Belgium have a very dis
tinct meaning and may have very great
consequences consequences which
could transform the whole face of the
great struggle.