New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-29
By ISAAC DON LEVINE
Author Of The Russian Revolution

Author OF The Russian Revolution
At the end Of three years Of the most
colossal war In human history the pros
poets for peace are anything but bright.
There 10 a universal feeling that peace
is near. And yet It necessitates a strain
ing Of ones vision to distinguish the
dimly silhouetted peace possibilities on
the blood-red horizons Of the world. To-
morrow these possibilities may vanish
into the thin air or grow strong enough
to indicate the early approach of peace.
On the outcome Of the German often
sive against Russia hinges the issue of
the great war II the Russians, under
dictatorisl government and with the
military cooperation of the Allies in
the West, car stop the advancing Teuton
tile, then peace may be much nearer
than generally Is anticipated. On the
other hand, II Russia's military organ
ism is destroyed, then the world con-
fict will continue undated, unless the
Allies agree to a "patched-up" peace.
A week ago the pacifst current In
Germany was at its greatest height
since the beginning of the war. Ths
military successes in the East have
suddenly and effectively checked this
peace movement. A Teutonic reverse
In the field would, however, Just a.
suddenly react in favor of the now sub
dued pacifst sentiment permeating tho
masses of the Central Powers.
1t was to arrest the rise of Teutonic
hopes that the Allies, at the climax Of
Russia's disaster in Galicia, issued at
the end Of the Paris conference last
week the following declaration:
1.-THE Allied powers, more closely
united than ever for the defence of
tho peoples rights, particularly in the
Balkan peninsula, are resolved not to
lay down arms until they have at
tanned the end which in their eyes
dominates oil others-to render i'm
possible a return of the criminal ag-
erosion such as that whereof the Cen
trail Empires bear the responsibility"
Allies Modifying Terms
With this statement the opponents
of the Teuton alliance usher in the
fourth year of the conflict On its
face there is little hope for peace in
its text. But taken together with an
other declaration made at the same
time in London, the Allied proclama-
ton indicates q willingness to con-
clude peace on less belligerent bases
than ever before. That second declara-
ton was made by ex-Premier Asquith
in the House of Commons, and read:
1.-THE principle clearly agreed to by
every one Of the Allies is that in any
Encouragement made the governing
principle ought to be the interests and
the wishes of the populations af-
fected."
In other words, Mr.. Asquith, repre-
senting a powerful British party, sub
scribed to the doctrine, first pro-
nounced by President Wilson and then
adopted by the New Russia, that every
people should be allowed to settle its
own destinies. Mr.. Asquith's state
ment Is Of tremendous Importance. For
this doctrine is the foundation OF the
famous mo annexations and no In
IDENTITIES" peace formula, the latter
part Of which should read mo punt
tive indemnities," as even Russia and
the German Minority Socialists agree
that devastated regions should be re-
stored.
Thus we have a clear indication OF
Britain's changing attitude toward
peace. But even more striking In the
same respect Is last months uttera7ce
Of Lloyd George. ave are told
said tho British Premier in Glasgow,
".hat II we are prepared to make
peace now Germany will restore the
Independence Of Belgium. But who
has said sol No German statesman
ha. ever said he would restore the IN
dependence Of Belgium"
No Now Map Of Europe
This making Of the Belgian Issue q
chief part OF the peace problem is
very significant. 1t means that me
Allies are ready to drop, in view OF
the present circumstances, their great
scheme Of redrawing the map OF
Europe on new bases. At least Great
Britain, the mainstsy Of the Allies,
has indicated that a positive German
declaration Of intention to restore
Belgium politically and economically
would pave a way toward peace. Mr.
Asauith last week practically reite:-
ated Lloyd Georges words. He asked:
as Germany prepared not only to
eyacuate Belgium, but to make repara-
ton for the colossal mischief AM
damage which accompanied her de-
vastating occupation and the practical
enslayement of q large portion of the
Belgian people? Is she prepared not
only to do that, but to restore to Bel
GUM, not a pretence Of, but absolute,
independence?
II should like to know the German
answer to these questions. ] find no
answer in the vague, indeterminate
formulas of the Reichstag. l have no