The Washington herald., 1917-08-15
See CHANCE OF PEACE
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terms suggested That Is that some
of them may be perfectly agreeable
to the United States, France, Russia
and Italy, and wholly distatsefuI 10
England.
England, IT is believed, will hold ou,
stiffly for the retention OF the Ger
man colonies. Japan is expected to
follow her lead.
The one hope for bringing England
into agreement with the rest OF the
allies on such a proposition lies in the
success OF the British labor and
Socialist movement-and that is a
movement which none of the govern
ments, allied or central-are anxious
to encourage
In framing opinions of the German
origin of her alleged peace terms of
the reputed Papal note Of diplomats
are carefully weighing two recent
circumstances. First they are taking
a renewed interest in the success or
failure of the Flanders drive. Second
they are making every effort to learn
the significance of the recent visit of
Premier Michaelis to Vienna and TO
check uD the communications which
may have passed between Vienna anu
Rome during the last three weeks.
Drive DisappoInts.
Actual results of the Flander
drive afford little consolation to the
allies as yet. 1t is an open secret
here that the gains have been in
commensurate with the expended
effort. Diplomats are wondering,
however, as to whether the Ger
Inf N
more costly than the allied attack.
II the German reserves are being
generally depleted in counter-at-
tacks it may be that Germany alone
knows how imminent is the collapse
of her military forces.
In evaluating the Importance of
Dr. Michaelis's visit to Vienna and
communications between Emperor
Charles and Pope Benedict, the dip
lomats are inclined to credit the
Pope with full knowledge of the
German situation.
But in their very authenticity the
peace terms suggested here have
their weakness. If Germany. is pre-
pared to bargain now for peace, one
diplomat said, Germany is close to
defeat in the field. And with vic
tory in the field within their grasp
the European members of the en-
tente will not, it is believed, hold
the knockout blow. The advantage
would be all theirs in the afterwar
conferences If they were now to
wrest from Germany her military
successes.
This has been the attitude of the
administration here up to ten days
ago. Talk of peace in Congress has
been granted by the whisper from
the other end of Pennsylvania avenue
that such talk was futile until Ger
many had been beaten.
May Reveal Attitude.
The persistence of this talk not
only in Congress but in many other
places in the country may have
changed before. 1t was regarded as
significant that Secretary Lansing SO
carefully withheld comment after the
cabinet meeting yesterday.
II is not considered unlikely that
the President will take up the Vati-
can terms for informal discussion
with the allies. The attitude of the
allies will be promptly revealed. Then
will come the time for an admission
or denial by Germany as to her will
ingness to abide by these terms. 1t
is only then that their real value can
be determined.
1t remains the outstanding feature
OF the time of their first suggestion.
however, that the Administration is
treating the suggestion with the
greatest respect.