New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-16

fighting. and since that is 80 VIII they not
resolve TO bear new burdens and greater
agonies because they hold them more toll
cradle than the destruction Of Germany
The German people may not now be will
ing 10 slarve and die to hold Belgium, but
is IL likely they are yet ready TO surrender
their national independence?
To The Tribune it seems that nothing
short Of madness will explain any course
ON the part Of the Allies which enables
the German government TO use its peace
proposals to enlist neutral support
American support above all other-and
TO solidify its own people behind It for
the continuation Of the war. Granted that
the German proposal is trick an ef-
fort "to poison" the minds Of the people
Of the Allied nations, Of the neutrals, OF
tho German people, is it necessary that
The Allies should help to put the poison
in the cup?
The world wants peace if peace can be
had on Just and fair terms. No desire for
peace on the part Of the neutral world
is worth a moments consideration by the
nations at war, if it puts peace before
The principles that arc at issue. But the
Allies. having since the war began con-
tinued to appeal TO the neutrals for APP
prevail and for justification in their con
duct cannot now refuse to listen 20 those
neutrals who have Loyalty supported their
fight and are now prepared TO support
them as long as these issues are in the
balance, but who are not less anxious to
see peace restored when the safety Of
civilization and democracy is assured
There are only two chances for peace
in the world to-day. The one lies in the
conquest Of Germany and her allies by the
nations which are opposing her. This
may still be possible, but II is possible
only after more years Of war and more
terrible sacrifices. and II would bring IN
its train conditions that might well make
peace only temporary and new wars in
evitablo The other chance lies IN the de-
cision Of the German people for a peace
which will assure the independence and
safety Of Germany, but will renounce the
programme Of world domination Of the
Bernhardis and the Treitschkes. But this
chance Of peace will 60 glimmering II the
proposal for peace made by the German
at the instance OF the Ger
man people, and believed by the people
TO be an honest proposal, IS met by such
action and such declaration on the Allied
side rs will convince the German people
that there IS no safety except in the
sword and no peace save In conquest,
France, Britain. Russia, these nations
went TO war in August, 1914, with the
declared purpose to prevent Germany
from destroying the small peoples Of Eu
rope and the German system Of mill
tarism from dominating Europe and the
world They cannot sheathe the sword
they then drew until these things are as
sured. Those who shared their principles
then share them now; we in America who
saw in Belgium and in Serbia the old
struggle of liberty against tyranny, of
right against might, Of democracy against
autocracy, do not now see those things
differently, nor does any desire for peace
blind our eyes to the essential conditions
of peace.
But we would not have the Allies lose
the sympathy of America, lose the great
chance Of enlisting the German people in
the cause Of real peace, by seeking to 90
beyond the programme which they out
lined and, by seeking to punish Germany,
by Enchanting passion and hatred, do in
calculabe injury to their own cause in
fact and in the eyes of the American
people. We in America fought the Civil
War on one of the noblest issues for
which a war was ever fought, but when
we undertook 10 punish the South after
ward God knows what a mess we made of
10 and what wrongs we inflicted. And in
the end we had TO take our troops home
and let the South work out its own destiny,
as it had a right TO do.
Even If Germany were wellnigh con-
quered It would be unwise TO attempt to
impose terms of the sort that Allied news
papers in America are now advocating
should be imposed on an unconquered Ger
many, still in the possession of the field
and still celebrating her latest successful
campaign. Germany is not at the point
of military collapse; It is far from proba-
bic that her economic situation, her short
age Of food, is such that her surrender is
imminent. AS The Tribune sees It, the
real situation is that the German people
are no longer willing 20 bear the burden
of q war of conquest, even when this is
successful. But If the Allies believe that
the German people are now unwilling to
continue in war Of defence, war for
the preservation Of what they believe 70
be German life and independence, The
Tribune believes that the Allies are terri
bly, mistaken. The Zeppelin has been Brit
aims best recruiting agent: will Allied