New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-14
Kaiser Makes Every
Effort to Begin Peace
Talks With Allies
Hopes to Create Atmosphere
So People Will Back
"Defensive War"
By Arthur S. Draper

LONDON, Sept. l3.-Germany is
desperately anxious to begin peace ne
gotiations. She wants to create a peace
atmosphere. She is directing encour-
aging press discussion and comment on
every angle of peace.
Though her army in the East never
had such an opening in the last three
years, the peoples attention is being
directed not toward Russia. but toward
peace. This sbout-face Of the Prus-
sian miltarists is highly significant.
While Germany is working 20 create
i peace atmosphere official Great Brit
ain seems to be ignoring, if not dis
couraging, peace talk. Germany's
motives seem clear. Having prevented
a break through the West and blocked
at least temporarily Italy's move upon
trieste, she rests upon the situation
as it stands to-day. The Germans give
no date for the collapse of the Allies
from shipping losses, but they tell the
people that time is their ally. Then
will come their reply 70 the Vatican,
which the Allies will spurn. Having
created a peace atmosphere. the rulers
can then turn TO their people 20 get
further support for defensive war"
Before quoting extracts from the
German press TO show the extent OF
this peace push, word must be said
on the British attitude. There is no
attempt 10 underestimate the serious
ness OF the consequences should Russia
drop completely out OF the war, no et-
fort 10 minimize the grave menace OF
the submarine, and no howery promise
OF big military decision in the West
this year.
John Bull Is Mad"
Frankly, there is a lot Of gloom about.
but there is also modicum OF stub
bornness. just sufficient to make one
feel that John Bull is mad clean
through. and that there Is going 10 be
q heap % trouble tor any one crossing
him henccforth. With all the honor OF
his past fighting performances. John
Bull IS acting a. though he still mad
somethIng IN reserve and would use 1t
now i put 10 the supreme test. Oficial
Britain seems 70 believe that the time
is not ripe for peace discussion. She
has no objection TO others talking, but
she intends to do some more lighting.
Aside from Lord Robert Cecil's com
ments on the Presidents reply TO the
Pope. il will be noted that the only
other peace reference came from Sir
Edward Carson, who deprecated the
idex OF peace until German military
pow was crushed.
Lloyd Georges silence on the subject
has surprised many who expected he
would use the opportunity in Wales to
restate the British war aims. The ter
lible burden OF responsibility which
broke Asquith, BRAND, Won Bethmsnn-
Hollweg, Ribot and host of others
bears heavily upon some members of
the British Cabinet In this connection
il is interesting to read in The West.
Gazette" OF Asquith, who to.
day is celebrating his siXty-ffth birth.
day:
ale is probably in better physical
condition than at any other time in the
last four or FIVE years, while his mental
alertness on every aspect Of policy is
manifest whenever he rises in the Com.
mons"
Shske-Up Is Likely
As Parliament adjourned until the
middle Of October on the understand
ing that it would not resssemble unless