Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-13
ACKERMAN ANSWERS ELIOT
Famous Correspondent Exposes Menace of Pre-
mature Peace and Declares Against
Informal Conference

people believe that they have been VIC
torious and that they will continue to be-
lieve this until they are defeated by mill
tary operations. Any kind of peace which
is discussed with the present German Gov
ernment will be peace on Germany's
terms. Is 1t conceivable that Germany will
voluntarily withdraw from Belgium, France
and Russia without receiving something in
exchange? The German Government is
holding the occupied territories as trump
cards. What trump cards do the Allies and
the United States hold except an uncon-
quered VIII and the control of the seas and
the world markets? Must we in exchange
give Germany these things in order 10 re-
ceive what Germany dishonesty seized in
Europe by her military machine?
But despite all these things, the gravest
and greatest issue of the war is that of
liberty. How can the freedom of Belgium
France, England and the United States be
guaranteed after this war if Germany is not
punished for threatening the liberty of these
nations? If Germany is not defeated now,
the German Government and people will
interpret it as meaning that their form of
government and their methods of warfare
are, after all, the securest.
Often when / was in Germany I won
dered whether it would not be possible for
the time to come when the peace of the
world could be secured by the great Powers
but always the obstacle was the organiza-
tion of Germany, which placed all questions
of war and peace in the hands of one man.
If this man has not been responsible
during the war; if, as the world has learned,
his word is not worth the printing, how can
the Allies and the United States enter into
any informal, unofficial conference with
delegates he names?
No Peace Save With the German People
Doctor Eliot believes, however, that a
conference would "be very helpful toward
clarifying the motives for continuing the
fighting" To my mind, no Qualification is
necessary far as the United States is
concerned. Our object is to fight until we
can make peace with representatives of the
German people. l do not believe that the
present German Government represents the
German people and believe we must fight
until the German people themselves can de-
termine Germany's peace. There is in Ger.
many today a very powerful democratic
movement The majority of the people, |
believe, are at heart with this movement.
but they lack a leader / believe that the
longer the war is continued the stronger this
liberal party will become. l believe that If
there could be a universal election in Ger.
many today, with universal male suffrage,
this liberal party would control the Reichs-
tag and change the laws which now place
the Kaiser in complete control of the des-
TIMES of 1000, 900 people.
Doctor Eliot believes that the evidence is
against the assumption that there is a dis
tlnCtlOn between the GONeTnnenJ ana the
people. In this l am certain that he is
misinformed There were tremendous
forces among the people opposed to a ruth
less submarine war and there is great
body of Germans opposed to the retention
of Belgium, but they are not in control of
the Government and they cannot decide. or
course, If there is a line between those in
authority and the people, then one must
conclude that ultimately there must be
break. There have been many times when
the break between the two was imminent
but usually at the crisis some Allied states
man has demanded annexation or the de-
structon of Germany.
When such statements have been made
the German Government has said to the
people: You see now, what the Allies want
| to do to your Fatherland Now stop criti-
| cizing the Government"
United States Seeks Peace Only
/ In this respect the United States is not
| one with the Allies. The United States has
nothing to gain by fighting except peace
| France and Belgium, which have lost in
men, territory, property and national honor,
have other just objects; but it is my belief
| that as soon as there is a responsible Cow
ernment in Berlin the question of indem-
mites restoration and reparation will be
| quickly adjusted.
The object of the war from TODAY on
must be to draw distinction between the
| Government and the people. The world
must emphasize the fact that ii cannot reIv
! upon the word of an irresponsible Govern
ment. II II is necessary TO defeat the Ger
man people through the armies and navies
| to accomplish this. then the war must To
on until the object is attained. TODAY the
German military leadership is advertised
before the German people as being a SORT
Of divine leadership against a world os
| enemies.
Doctor Eliot asks, Has not Germany
4 learned since August, 1914, like the rest
Of the world, that II Is a vital internati tionsI
concern Where the power OF peace ana yvsr
Is lodged IN each nation?'
No; Germany has not learned this and
for this reason. II for no other. ne 49, ~.
wunt pe continued untn Germany learns IA