New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-13
Peace Talk and Peace Terms

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: II the news from Germany by way OF
Amsterdam can be relied upon some things
are clear:
First-Thst peace can now be had on the
status quo ante bellum, no snne1ations' no
indemnities.
second-That peace cannot now be had on
the basis Of the surrender:
(a) To Italy Of former italian territories
modernly conquered by Austria;
(b) OF Alsace and Lorraine to France;
(c) OF the payment by Germany to Bel
GUM and to France of damages in money;
(dD OF Germanys custer from colonial pos
sessions conquered by some one or another OF
the Allies.
Tbird-That neither the German Emperor
nor the imperial government. nor those whom
John Quinn sptly comprehends in the e1-
r-ession "the German War Party Conspira-
tors" nor the German people Themselves are
ready 10 admit that they understand the occa-
sions Of the war between them and the
United States, nor why there stands arrayed
AGAINST them and their allies practically all
the rest Of the world.
II is the third of these facts which renders
neace now impossible. To ltsly's territorial
controversy with Austria there might be
solution. In the matter Of Germanys
colonial possessions there might be way out.
But TO the German idea Of world conquest, OF
the compulsion of force upon small nations
and nations that are not militaristic in their
ideals, there is no answer except that Ger
many must give it up, and the first proof that
T. is forever abandoned by Germany, her
,rinces and her people must be the surren-
der to France of Alsace and Lorraine and the
PAYMENT to France and Belgium of sum OF
money that will enable them to make what
recovery money can make from the diabolical
injury Germany has inflicted upon them.
=, is unfortunate that the President ap-
pointed Colonel House at this time on any
kind of peace inquest l guess he sees this
because he has been so careful to explain the
nature of Colonel Houses proposed investi-
cations and so careful to say that peace talk
at this time is unwise. None the less, lc
TO sediton and dsaffecton, and he could
have accomplished his purpose to obtain facts
in some other way than by the employment
Of an unofficial person whose relations with
him, however not subject TO suspicion, are
still not understood.
The American people have given to Mr
Wilson twenty thousand millions Of money, a
mply unthinksble sum; have given TO him
ar powers the like Of which have never been
confded to any American or other man, and
ave given to him the right to call into active
military service nearly one-haf of the human
erergy there is in this country-all that he
may convince the German people and the
whole world that brute force shall never rule
our earth; all that there may be established
40 our planet the reign Of reason and justice
Is whatever form Of government admins
tered
We have not made this terrific sacrifice
fust to give the brutes. the devils Of force, q
chance TO recover their losses and to get or
tneir feet again. We have not done il in the
lope that the war will end in draw. We
ave done it so that shall be equipped to
make an end, so far into the future as the
mind OF man can look. TO the idea that any
ambition, that any organization, that any
preparation can ever destroy the darling
right Of popular government, the darling
light of every man and woman, leading al
honest life, to get, keep and safely enjoy its
honest rewards
No peace which does not secure this to u:
and to our children, and to our children's
children unto the furthest generation to
which we can look forward. will pay US fol
what We have put into the trusted hand OF
our President LEMUEL ELY QUlGG.
New York Oct IL, 1917