New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-13
Calls Terms, Germany S
Maximum, Unaccept-
able for Allies
SAYS ENTENTE HAS
EVERYTHING TO GAIN
Willingness to Hear Coun-
ter Proposals Found by
Columbia Professor
Rv Professor ELLERY {. STOWELL,
Department of Elementary Law. Column
bia University

By Professor ELLERY {. STOWELL'
Department of Elementary Law. Column
bia University
T. is announced by the press that
Germany has transmitted 10 her en-
cmics the terms upon which the Cen
trail Powers are willing 20 make peace.
II is safe TO say that this message VIII
bring iov 20 every nation in the world
whatever Interpretation they may place
upon the terms which Germany offers
Germany military successes have
made IN possible for her 90 propose req
sonable terms for a permanent peace
without q loss Of prestige, when no
country will willingly incur. On the
other hand, the announced purpose o.
the Entente Allies 20 carry on the wal
solely for the purpose OF defending
Europe against the dangers OF German
domination would make il difficult lof
them to refuse a sympathetic consider
alton Of any reasonable terms proposed
by their adversares.
Under the circumstance, therefore
may feel sure that the Entente Allies,
if they should be unwilling to consider
the German proposal, Will base their
objections upon the ground that Ter
many's offer is too eXtravagant tor Sc
rious consideration.
Enormous Prestige Gained
If We would understand the interna-
tional situation which will determine
the course Of any subsequent negotla-
tions for peace we must remember
% that Germany's victory in Rumania
- -. ms
of prestige. II peace should intervene
tomorrow the world would constantly
remember her tremendous economic
and military achievements, so that she
would enjoy an enormous advantage IN
the world competition for the increase
of political influence and the acqulsi-
ton Of new markets.
~ Germany has now probably
reached the greatest extension of her
territorial gain. so that she can afford
to offer reasonable concession in the
hope Of retaining now some Of the
advantages that she would probably
nave TO give up in the event of long
struggle.
l3) Great Britain and the Entente
Allies. OF the other hand, have SUI
tered a loss Of prestige corresponding
TO the German gain, so that they may
not be willing now 20 make as FAVOR
able terms as they might later after
thew had recovered from their discom-
future. for prestige is the all-lmportant
factor i'm international affairs. Paclnst
writers leave 10 out OF account and
reach wonderful results satisfactory 10
themselves, but having no relation 10
practical politics.
(A) The recent reorganization oil
the British Cabinet and similar &C
ton announced for France viii make
il possible for the Entente Allies to
conduct the war with vigOr many
times increased The significance o.
the transformation which has brought
about this result rs so well recognized
by Germany that she must offer even
now much better terms than she would
have done had the former organization
OF the British government continued.
80 II Is almost a. important that
the conduct of peace negotiations
should be in the control OF small
group. as IL is in the case OF military
affairs.
Certain Of the terms proposed by
Germany have been communicated to
the press from reliable source.
Il is not necessary 10 repeat them or
70 examine them i'm detail. They are,
of course. Germany's maximum. which
she puts forth as basis for discus
sion. As / examine them, they strike
me a. absolutely unacceptable for the
Allies. but believe that the fact that
Germany has made any proposals must
indicate probable intention on her
part to discuss with her adyerSaries
any counter proposals which might ap-
pear as reasonable 90 impartial OBJ
servers.
The greatest danger that the pres
ent proposal may fall through lies in
the possibility that the Entente
Powers cannot accept peace at the end
of such "a series Of misfortunes as has
attended their arms. believe, how
ever, that they have everything 20
gain from the conclusion Of peace
If Germany is really ready 10 cfer
them an acceptable basis, such as the
status 0uo ante. that Is 20 say me
condition existing before the war
Would Continue to Challenge
Upon such basis Germany trc-
mendous strength and her theory OF
government would continue TO chal-
ionge the opposition of the rest OF the