Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-08-30
Of their own Roman Catholic citizens,

~ their w Roma Catholic cittxen4I
the war party in Germany could still
continue to- seek the realization OF its
great ambition. both in Belgium and i'll
southeastern Europe. That Fr..ace
would at the present time make Such II
surrender seems unbelievable, just as
" seems equally unbeli, seabie that
Italy would give up her claim To The
Italian city of Trieste, which fate h;ts
assigned to an alien rule.
But it must be recognized hat If
there is any question of peace by n"so-
tlatlon now it must carry with il either
the restoration to Germany of the col
onies which she has lost in Africa, ~ -
reimbursement of colonial boundaries it;
Africa which should give Germany Ii
real place in the African sun" be-
cause while Germany is i'm possession
OF French and Belgian territory il is
totally unlikely that she will consent
to evacuate both without indemnity and
IN addition to cede territory which vas
French before 1870, to be sure, bat has
been Germa since 1871.
Actually the papal proposal. so FAR as
1T is yet made public, calls for a German
defeat, because it reestablishes the in
dependence and integrity of Serbia
the first problem raised by the war
and the independence and integrity III
Belgium, the second problem raised. IL
means that, after all the German sacri-
flee in lives and in treasure, Germany
must find herself where she started on
the map. but with her commercial cs-
Establishments ruined all over the world.
1t is suggested that he papal docll-
ment will propose that there shall be no
economic var after the military strug-
gle is terminated. But, granted that
there were no tariff wallis erected
against Germany, giving mutual bene-
fits to her present enemies. no agree
m np,k ~, to~-A, >~.lI 40
store German financial and
cial establishments in Great Britain. in
France, in Italy, or in the British.
French n even the American over
seas world. The fact that the Ger
mans nave used their financial inc
commercial establishments rs a basis
for political and military operations:
the fact that the German conduct OF the
war has rouse an enduring hatred OF
Germans n of German things, will
remain for long years an obstacle to the
restoration OF German aud
to the reconquest OF those markets in
which German influence was so great
before the war.
Therefore the ruling party and pow
ers in Germany, or, as one might choose
to say, the ruling and dominating idea
In Germany which led to war, must find
themselves at the end unable to bring
home a single profit for an enormous
expenditure and obliged to confess not
only to temporary losses but to perma-
net disadvantages all over the world.
On the other hand, there will be
necessarily a large party in all the ma
lions at war which will believe that
the papal proposal actually. if not in
purpose. would spare Germany from
that military decision which would de-
sively dispose of the German polio: and
the German conception II for long
years. If not for all time, put an end to
the German dream OF world pOwc:
based upon military efficiency and upon
the methods of ruthlessness and yio-
lences which have been employed by
Germany in the air, at sea and in the
invaded districts.
To ~foreshadow what will be the re-
ception of this papal proposal is no
part OF the commentator upon current
events. The world is war weary. There
is longing everywhere for peace. There
has been an immense shrinkage i'm the
program of the allied nations, even In
details which We're most deserving of
success. 1t may be that a German adop-
ton of the present proposal will come
promptly, and if it does no one can
mistake the effect that it will have In
the allied countries. because it will he
in fact. If not in form, a confession of
defeat and a vindication Of the original
purpose of the nations at war will,
Germany.
Actually it's reception. granted the
restoration OF Belgium and serbia is
unconditional and complete, must de-
pend largely upon the French and Ital-
ian attitude toward the question of
Alsace- Lorraine and the Trentino. 1t is
not too much to say that it is far and
away the most important peace suggeE-
ton yet made. and, difficult as is the
pathway which the pope has to pass, it
Is by no means impossible that he may
achieve his goal.
In any event. we must recognize that
there is baund to be a different recep-
ton for this proposal thar for that Of
President Wilson many months ago and
of the German emperor which\ pre-
coded Mr.. Wilson'S suggestion. The de-
sire for peace increases with every
month Of war, and with the prospect Of
a fourth winter the statesmen of no
nation will dare to reject without dis
~cussion q proposal which, however un-
satisfactory in detail. yet necessarily
begins with the assertion Of German de.
feat.