New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-30
Real Peace Push

portant British organization.
Real Peace Push
Just as they took the initiative in
military operations, the German lead
ers have now launched the first real
peace push of the war, all the earlier
intrigucs being mere fents in compari-
son.
German statesmen are working cle;-
erly, but with considerable caution.
The moderatcs have made strides since
Lansdoune opened the campaign. Ger.
man statesmen are now, first, playing
up to the moderate forces in the En-
tente; second, yielding gradually to the
moderate forces within the Central
Powers; third, delaying negotiations
with the Bolsheviki, preferring 10 use
Russia as lever TO bring general
peace rather than conclude a separate
peace ad use the forces reseas I'd
thereby in the hope of fighting a way
through TO a military decision; fourth,
hoping still to split the grand alliance,
the emphasis on Germany's determina-
tion to recover her African colonies
being the latest case in point.
Keen military observers do not an
ticipste a German attack in the West
before the end Of January at the ear
lest, and meanwhile the diplomats are
eXerting every effort TO hasten the day
of peace. IL is pretty generally eN-
pccted that Hindenburg plans TO launch
attacks in the late wintet but kuehl-
mann, the German Foreign Minister,
and ono OF the keenest and cleverest OF
4at fz
alive TO the change in political condl-
tions since the Russian revolution and
mas strong supporters in his movement
u bring about peace through negoua.
tion without waiting the conclusion OF
another military campaign.
Two Ends in View
Approaching fully the weakening OF
spirit through economic privatlons,
financial losses and military casualties,
kuehlmann is directing his efforts
along two broad lines-ilrst, TO let
down the German people, who have
been promised great rewards for their
heayy war sacrifices; second, TO encour-
aye the moderates in Allied countries
60 eliminate from their peace pro
cramme all imperialistic aims and de-
clare against after the war economic
boycotts. -,
In other words. he is aiming to have
. return TO the status quo and TO sat !,
isfy the German people with that hlhd
OF a peace.
British and French labor and So
cialists have now declared for speedy
termination of the war, igalnst an
nexations and indemnities, and for
peace which will mean security If moth
Tho Russian Bolsheyiki arc more
radical. In Austria the moderates are
becoming more and more inslstent, and
such speeches as the Kaiser's latest
mailed fist boast are being sharply
condemned by the press.
The German Socialists are encour-
aged by the success of the negotiations
with the Bolsheviki and are showing
increased independence. European
statesmen can no longer ignore the
movement toward the left tRadicalism) }.
Britain Needs Men
In England the need for more men
for military purposes is pressing, and
the government can only get them BY
adopting policy IN line with that Of
the working classes.
r
ernment. and he is known as the
Tiger" The Pichon speech was fair
lv representative of Clemenceaus pol
icv. But in France there is body OF
opinion led By men like Albert ! Ihomaa
which is powerful enough TO swing the
country in line with the British nod
crates whenever they conslfe: the time
opportune.
France and Great Britain follow. mere
is little expectation that the present
movement will lead TO an early gather-
ing around the peace table, but the pre-
liminsry work j. being done and IS eN-
pected 10 increase.
While the armies are deaGlocked the
enemy statesmen may be expected 10 DO
some lively fencing through the news
papers. Lloyd George in his letter to
the Labor Congress made slgnihcant
statement when he said: The ques-
,ion OF issuing further Joint reply
on this subject war aims IS one
which is constantly kept IN view by the
Allied governments, but 1t is not one
for which il is possible for the British
government TO speak by itself"
His whole letter showed he is in
sympathy with labor's attitude and
anxious 10 hold its confidence. The
longer the war lasts the weaker be-
comes secret diplomacy. The last days
Of the year find the peace movement
overshadowing the plans for the mill
tary campaigns. The new year VIII see
statesmen struggling 10 hold their peo-
ules together and prevent premature
peace. The days of the reactionaries
apparently are numbered.
Pan-Gerntdns oppose Russo-Ger-
man peace porley; Northern Rnssid