The Hawaiian gazette., 1916-12-15
RODERICK 0. MATHEsON, EDITOR
Peace Proposals

TT is improbable that the Entente will listen al
this time to the peace proposals from Berlin
Vienna. Sofia and Constantinople even though
what little appears to be known of the terms the
Central Powers are now willing to accept are very,
very far from those hers tofore talked Of with their
hundreds Of billions of ndemnities their places in
the sun, their control of the Balkans and the re-
soration of al the lost colonies.
Should the end today, it would end as a
staemate and all that Great Britain, France and
Belgium have declared they are fighting for would
90 unganed. Germany bases her claim to the
right to suggest terms on the fact that her military
strength is mistaken, and it was to smash "Prus-
sian militarism" that Belgium made her sacrifices,
France stood for two years Of cruel, punishment
and Great Britain has raised and trained her mil
lions.
1t is possible of course, that the Entente will
grasp the opportunity offered by the Central Pow
ers to end the war, but it seems Improbable. The
German chancellor may be moved by motives
wholly foreign to those expressed, and the Allies
may be aware OF the real reason. The Rumanian
thrust may have been intended soielv TO pave the
way for the peace talk, thus justiiying the ex-
tension of the lines and the sacrifices required for
that offensive campaign, and the Entente strateg
lists may be well aware Of this Bethmam-
lIoweg himself Germany, on her side may be
aware of the extent of the tremendous prepara-
tons said to be under way for the spring offensive
as it is not believed that Great Britain has struck
her real blow, and fear that the future holds no
further hope of gain may be the underlying leu
ton motive.
Again, the internal conditions Of Germany may
have made it expedient tor the Kaiser and his
chancellor to impress upon the German people
the claim already made that the Entente is intent
upon the dcspoliation of Germany on the lines
that Belgium and Northern France have been spoil
ed. and the refusal u the Allies to listen to the
terms OF the Central Powers may be desired in
order to rckindle the fighting spirit OF the Father
land and stien tine resistance Of the lines of de-
Tense.
Last August, on the second anniversary Of the
outbreak of the war; the Kaiser stated that the
blame for further fighting would rest upon the
Entente, just as he says it now. At that time it
was undoubtedly an utterance to hearten the Ger
man army and the German people His message
addressed to the chancellor said:
''Stn hard times are ahead. After the terrible
storm of two years of war; desire for sunshine and
peace is stirring in all human hearts, but the
tnues because the battle cry of the enemy govern
ments is still the destruction of Germany Blame for
further blOOdshed falls only enemies The firm
confidence has left me that Germany is in
vineible in spite of the superior numbers of our
enemies and every day confirms this
Germany knows she is fighting for her existence.
She knows her strength and she relies Gods help
Therefore nothing shake her determination her
We shall bring this struggle to such end
that our empire will be protected against future at
tack and that free field will be assured for the peace
full development of German genius and labor. -.
We shall live free, and strong among the
nations of the world This right, nobody shall will
snatch from l ask you to make this manifesto
pubic.'