Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-16
The Entente Reply.

The Entente reply to President Wilson's peace
soundings leaves no doubt as to the main objects
for which the Allies are fighting and doubt that
an early end of the war is next to impossible un-
less Germany is ready to abandon the attitude of
victory and accept the lot of defeat
The President.proposed, in his note of December
the eighteenth last. that the belligerent groups
make an avowaI of their respective views "as TO
the terms upon which the might be concluded
and the arrangements which would be deemed
satisfactory as a guaranty against its renewal or
the kindIing of any similar conflict in the future
The Central Powers answered almost Immediately.
But they merely reiterated their desire for peace
conference; they said nothing of specific terms The
Entente Powers the other hand. now explain
rather definitely what they meant when they de-
clared long ago that they insisted and would con-
tinue to insist upon restitution, reparation and
guarantees"
Restitution. we are now given to understand
means first of all that Belgium, Serbia and Mon
tenegro must be restored and that the invaded ter
ritories of France, Russia and Rumania must be
nevacuated. But more than that, it means 1.-The
restitution of provinces or territories wrested in
the past from the Allies by force against the
Will Of their populations" This implies, of course
return OF Alsace-Lorraine TO France and of the
italian TyroI to Italy. Somewhat to the same eff
feet is the demand for
'sThe liberation Of Italians OF Slavs, of
Rumanians and of Tcheco Slovaques from for
, eign domination; and the enfranchisement of
populations subject 10 the bloody tyranny
the Turks"
This farreaching liberation looks to the
ension OF Italy's sway the Adriatic and to
ythe upbunding of Serbia, Montenegro and Rumania
all at Austria's expense. Such exactions may
severe; bur power which has fattened upon its
small neighbors, treating their rights and liberties
with cynical disregard. will have scant room for
protest IL the whirligig of time brings in its re-
venges.
Concerning their second prerequisite to peace
reparation the Allies do not, and could not, par
ticuIarfze at this juncture. Questions of indemnity
for war damage must be settled after the fighting
is over. It is made plain. however, that Just
compensation for the countries which have suffered
invasion will be expected. There is little or no
likelihood that the Allies though their vic
tory should be overwhelming. will exact of the
Central Empires monetary indemnity at all pro-
nortionate to that which Prussia exacted Of France
n 1872. It is doubtful. indeed. that the Central
Empires could survive tax which would be
sufficient to repair all the damage they have done
in Belgium and France and Serbia, not to consider
Isussian Poland and Rumania- The probability is
that reparation will be sought, for the most part
in territorial eessons if the Allies able to die
tate terms.
Regarding guarantees the Entente reply
while avoiding questions of detail, indicates GER
tain broad lines of policy which are no less inter
esting to- neutrals than beIlgerents. The Allies
We are assured, associate themselves. with all
their hopes with the project for the creation of
a league of nations to insure peace and justice
throughout the world" This is explicit approval of
an idea which now finds especial favor in the
United States and of which President Wilson him
self is an earnest advocate. ut should be noted
in this connection that Germany also has Endorsed
that idea.) The Allies declare. however. that be-
fore definite steps toward preventing future wars
can be taken, the issues of the present conflict
must be settled AS to their particular sphere of
interests. they require
THE reorganization of Europe guaran-
teed b! a stable regime and founded as much
upon respect of narionalities and full security
and liberty OF economic development, which
all nations. great small, possess, as upon
territorial conventions and international
agreements suitable to guarantee territorial
and maritime frontiers against unjustified
attacks"
The phrases here employed derive their signif-
icance partly from their context which refers to
restitution" Thus 1.-The reorganization of Europe
Is involved in the proposed handing-back of prov
inces and territories such Alsace-LOrraine and
the Italian TyroI and in the liberation of Slavs
and Rumanians from foreign domination. The
Allies propose to carry their process of "reorgan-
ization' still further by expelling the Ottoman
Empire from Europe and. presumably-thOugh
they are silent on this point-estabIish Russian or
Joint control at the Dardanelles.
Territorial establishments, however, are mere
" the outward aspects of such reorganization as
the Allies apparently have in mind. There must
he a new regime. founded upon respect of nation
aIities and vouchsafing full security and liberty
of economic development which all nations, great
or small. possess" Especially notable in this con-
uection is the avowal,
cit goes without saying that il the Allies