The Washington herald., 1917-12-31

the labor Socialist parties to favor ,
Peace Movements Growth.
Had Saturdays session preceded
Fridays, it would have made clear
er to outsiders the reason for the
present attitude of such q large
body of the country toward peace.
The speeches on Saturday brought
out something of the economic
hardships endured by the working
classes, and the loyal and patriotic
leaders gave plain warning to the
government that unless conditions
were improved the temper of the
masses would grow worse.
When it is remembered that Bri-
tain Is the strongest economically
OF the European belligerents.
some appreciation may be had OI
the cause and growth of the peace
movement. A peace is not only a
possibility but now almost a GER
tainty, though it is impossible to
calculate just when it will come.
The military leaders will demand
another opportunity to win de-
Cision and the odds are all in IA
yor Of their getting it. but it is ex-
tTemely doubtful if they get sec
ond trial.
The new year will find Europe re-
turning to sanity and slowly recov-
ering her prospective. Every Sc
riOus suggestion toward an honor
able peace will receive serious con-
sideration. Instead of branding ev-
cry enemy utterance as a peace trap
and waving aside every friendly
gesture. their burden of RESPONSE
bility will force statesmen to give
close heed and satisfy the people
they are using every means to reach
an honorable decision. The word
''pacifist." and the charge "bolO-
ISM will no longer meet the de-
mand of the people.
Few Are Quftters.
But. though a wave fof modera-
ton IL sweeping over Europe,
there are few cutters in any
camp, whether it be Britain. France.
Germany or Austria. Not even the
minority Socialists in any of these
countries are likely to throw up
their hands and cry peace" at any
price.
President Wilson'S victory first"
and Pinchon's conquer, then settle,
voice the sentiment of every belliger-
ent. Nobody wants to come out Of
the war defeated. There are many
interpretations of the word victory,
ranging from the program of the Ger
man junkers. who now shout with
rage over Czernin's and Kuehlmann' )
outlines Of terms, to the latest for
muIa Of British labor. As the war
drags along and the possibility of
military decision decreases, victory
becomes more and more an elastic
term. Imperialism, territorial ag-
grandizement and indemnities are
gradually disappearing and in their
places are rising such terms as ma
tional security, society of nations ana
reparation.
On the entente practically every
shade of opinion holds firm to the be-
lief that no lasting settlement will be
reached until the Prussian militarists
no longer enjoy the power to make
war. The majority and minority So
cialists of Germany reply: You want
us to rid ourselves of them, but how
would you like to have us demand
the overthrow of your King or Presi-
dent as proof that you are ready for
peace?'
Wilson's View Adopted.
President Wilson's distinction be-
tween the, German ruling classes and
the people, which had few supporters
when it was first advanced. now has
become generally acceptable, though
there are still a handful of reaction
aries who hold that there is nothing
good in Germany.
With this as a basis, the allied
moderates are now trying to encour-
age the German people to believe that
nf - n
change in their rulers, an honorable
peace can be made. Some moderates
do not go so far as TO declare that
no peace is possible with the Hohen-
zoIlerns, however.
The working classes in Europe hate
militarism in every form, and they
hate il now as never before, and that
is why they advocate so strongly the
scheme for a league of nations. The
growth of moderation is not due to
any sudden change of spirit; it is the
natural result of all the suffering,
sacrifices and hardships that Europe
has endured through forty-two months
of war. The people feel that neither
the militarists nor the politicians
have made good to date.
With the close of 1917 the gigantic
investment in military efforts has
brought but poor returns for any one,
viewed in the light of territorial
acquisitions. The argument that Ger
many is satisfied with the results OBJ
tained from her investment is dis
proved by the shouts OF protest today
from the pan-Germans.
Certainly Britain is not satisfied
with the acquisition of Germany's
African colonies and her victories in
Palestine and Mesopotamia as an on
-sst for 100000 casualties, her huge
financial outlay and her tremendous
commercial losses.
Modern War q Failure.
Measured by the ordinary stan
dards, modern warfare has proved
a colossal failure.
Now the people know they must
make further Investments, they are
ssNed to send more men into the
firing line, they are called upon to |
economize in the consumption of |
HnNTTNTTEn ON DAnE orvrn