New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-24
Finished

II must ne patent 10 tNliE '"""S"'' 80
American that the opportunity for the
United States to perform a real or use
full service as a mediating influence in the
present war has terminated. 1t must be
equally plain that any attempt to pursue
such an objective now will have the very
worst possible consequences and will put
the nation and the President in the posi-
ton Of the agent and the ally Of one of
the two great belligcrent groups.
Such conclusion requires no long dis
cussion. What has happened is in every
mind. When Germany made her peace
proposal there was very widespread doubt
as to the sincerity Of the prefer, and its
sincerity was the more to be doubted be
cause it was accompanied by the written
words of the German Chancellor and the
spoken words Of the German Emperor,
apparently designed to establish the idea
that Germany was imposing a victorious
peacc upon the world and unless her pros
trate enemies chose to submit to victori-
Gus Germany they would suffer more at
the hands Of German might.
But despite the wholly suspicious char
acter Of the German proposal it was not
possible to push it lightly aside. The
world has suffered too much from this war
and must suffer too much from a prolonga-
ton of it to justify closing the door upon
any hone. however slight. And it was in
this sense that the German proposal was
received in England.
The sum and substance Of the admirable
speech Of Lloyd George was declaration
that Britain and her allies could not ne
gotiate in the dark with nation which
had plunged Europe into war and con
Quoted the war with brutality and feroc-
ity unknown since the days Of barbsrism.
Only when it became clear on what basis
Germany proposed to negotiate could her
enemies consent 20 discuss peace.
So far the situation was clear and not
without hope, provided Germany was seek
ing not victorious peace, not the chance
70 assimilate conquests and prepare for
a new assault upon the liberty of Europe
purchased by the sacrifice of portion OF
y the territory that she had conquered, but
real settlement.
Had the situation remained in this state
until Germany. replying to her enemies,
had stated her terms, had told Europe
whether she was prepared TO discuss peace
on the basis Of Europe in 1914-had she
indicated that she was prepared TO eyacu-
ate Belgium, Serbia and France and con-
sent to the reparation due TO Belgium for
wrongs that cannot be justified, then the
whole world might have seen that there
was a possibility Of peace. Even Ger
many's enemies might have been compelled
TO recognize that despite the Boosting
words Of German rulers and statesmen
words perhaps TO be pardoned as the
necessary fodder for home consumption)
there was a possibility Of a discussion of
pcace-of peace consistent with the aims
which animated The peoples Of the Allied
countries. determined to defend the liber-
ties Of Europe and recognizing that no
permanent peace was possible until the
safety Of Europe was assured.
The whole situation last week turned
upon the German reply to the Allied de-
mand for statement Of the basis on
which Germany proposed TO discuss peace,
and the Allied demand that Germany
should make such a statement was war
ranted in view Of the fact that it was Ger
many which had opened the discussion. No
man could say whether Germany was hon
est and in earnest or merely animated by
selfish or personal motives; no man, given
the German record in the immediate past,
could trust the German proposal. Yet Lloyd
George clearly indicated his appreciation
OF the fact that no man or nation could
totally disregard the German gesture.
This was the moment which Mr.. Wilson
selected TO offer his services. The terms
of his offer were Of no consequence; the act
was everything, and the act amounted to a
proposal that Europe should submit to
him It's terms. The very language Of his