The sun., 1916-12-13
+. .R.COUDERT THINKS
PEACE TIME UNRIPE
"Issues Of War Have Not Yet
Been Settled" Says COun-
SCI for France.
STATUS QUO IMPOSSIBLE
Guarantees for Future, Indem-
nifty and End Of Prussian-
ism Required.

Frederic II. Coudert, counsel for the
French Government. expressed the opin-
Ion that there could be no peace at this
time. lie dictated the following state
mcnt for THE SUN:
Peace. although always desirable as
an abstract proposition. is not. I believe.
possible at the present time. The issues
Of the war have not yet been settled.
NO peace can be permanent until
these issues are determined. France.
Great Britain and Russia will enter
into no peace which has not in II ele-
ments OF permanency. No peace which
ignores the causes Of the war can be a
real peace. 1t would only be a cessation
Of hostilities.
"The status quo ante -bellum cannot be
restored. The death OF several millions
of men. endless misery and devastation
have made such a thing impossible. To
restore the status quo. involving Ger
many dominated by Prussianism; to
make peace while Germany Is at least
to superficial appearances victorious
would leave Europe in as dangerous a
situation as in 1918
Guarantees for the Future.
Restoration OF territory is not sum-
cient. There must he reparation as far
as rcparation may be made in money
for the damage done. and above all there
must be guarantees for the future. These
.sNe.a asNI - tEk
until that state of mind called Prussian-
ism and now dominant in central Europe
has been eliminated. II may yet re-
quire many months OF suffering to reach
this result. but in the end not only the
Allies but Germany itself will be the
better of by the creation of a state OF
affairs In which law and right shall have
definitely triumphed over might.
''rhe governing class In Germany
knows that In the end they must be
beaten. and the present proposition is an
attempt to shift the odium OF the war
on to her opponents. The attempt will
not deceive those who have watched the
situation intelligently.
THE interests OF America require
that the struggle should be settled on
the basis Of right and that those Gle.
ments which have set the principles or
modern civilization at defiance should
be finally defeated. Until this can be
done there can he no peace in Europe
and no rest or surcease from anxiety in
America
r. u. Gary Fears Adverse Eject.
Elbert II. Gary. chairman Of the
board Of directors Of the United States
Steel Corporation. said the prospect of
peace is pleasing to him. but that unless
the tariff laws OF the nation are changed
the cessation OF hostilities would have
an adverse II not disastrous effect on
American industry and labor.
conditions will he even worse than
they were before October !, 1913. and the
beginning OF the war" said Mr.. Gary.
III tile laws shall be amended and ade-
uuate protection to American producers
and their workmen Is afforded, We may
expect satisfactory business conditions
for some time TO come.
whenever the war shall close. the
business of this country will be con-
fronted with new conditions. Our pro-
ducers, including our wage earners. will
find themselves In commercial antago-
nsm with the most persistent and difficult
competiti ever experienced unless this
shall be prevented by laws that are rea-
sonable and sufficient"
Views Of Oscar =. Straus.
Chairman Oscar $. Straus OF the Pub