The Detroit times., 1917-01-02
What II Would Mean
ny KENNETH ". PAYNE


What will be the effect upon America
IN German peace proposals, fortified by
President Wilson'S note. succeed in eff
fecting peace at this time? Politically,
will t'be beneficial 10 us as n nation, or
viii IL be disastrous TO our national POI
Gucal life?
took this question 10 Prof. Franklin
H. Giddings OF Columbia university.
Americas foremost historian of civiliza-
tion and also one Of the very first of our
sociological authorities.
America, began Prof Giddings,
launching out at once with utmost
surety. born. il was apparent. of long
Thought and intense final conviction, is
based on democracy. and the belief that
democracy is eventually more effective as
a medium Of national accomplishment
than autocracy. But If pro-German propa-
ganda in this country succeeds in arous-
ing q strong American sentiment which
brings peace az this luncture. IL will rep
resent TO the average American the tri-
umph of autocratic methods over demo-
cratic methods with, of course, CORES
pouding setback for the democratic con-
cept OF government.
The, peace propaganda IN America,
said Prof Gidjings. would, If It were in
uv way % impair the realization by the
Allies OF their objects in carrying on the
wan. constitute a brilliant diplomatic VIC
rory fur Germany. not only over those ma
SONS ot Europe which she SO wantonly
attacked two yenrs ago but also over all
inc ideals Of TRUE democracy in which
,lr OWN country was conceived
Prof GiddipgS has been for quarter
m century not alone one Of our greatest
America s0ci9loQists but also an authori-
alive critic IT the whole trend Of world
vcnts lilo is professor of the history of
utilization az Columbia university and an
nthor among many other sociological
works Of y widely read book on "Democ-
faCv 1n8 empire"
in his interview he gave voice To the
kaut a opinion Of the German peace
proposals toward which there has been
marked wing OF American public opinion
since Betin's answer 10 President VIII
SONS peace note
Winning American support Of the Ger
man rcacc proposals would oe unquestion-
1ly q victory for German diplomacy in
thieh nbassador Bcrnstortf and the
-etman officials would take great glory"
@ia Gf8dings
"Wheu I say that peace negotiations.
urged by The United States in accord
'th tho German proposals, would be
llclary for aGtocracy which has violated
fhe ideals az civilization, | mean il In the
a'lpwing sense:
Germany started out two years and
half ago io impose her power and kultur
uuon Europe by force az arms. She exer-
ciscd this military force in a ruthless way
anl her whole course from the invasion Of
Belgium has been the most mOnstrous
niece of c0G-blooded savagery IN all hui
mar history
"And de nite her lawless methods she
has not been able TO subdue the nations
she has attacked, tho she holds large
4rca III conquered territory With these
in her hands ne has now begun TO at
-r'YTit 20 carry OH by diplomatic mGth0ds
the victory which has so far failed to fall
o her armies IN view OF these evident
facts & would be the utmost folly for the
IS HES - discontinue the war or enter any
n6ace NEGOTIATIONS until Germany at least
out III Belgium. The fighting must go
oH and the world ~ large must refuse to
trust Germany word until by her acts
he proves that she is ready FOR peace.
"iIer first act must Of course by the
vacuation Of the lands she violated.
Whether in the brutal warfare which Ger
many originally chose for her route to
the conquest Of Europe OR IN THE
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH SHE
now PROPOSES while she still has the
stakes Of partial victory in her own
hands. we SEQ the same autocratic policy
IN her operations.
Democracy in Europe is waging a life
and death truqglc against this autocracy.
VIII America prove father 70 her birth
right and by aiding the German peace
propaganda help in the victory OF auto
cratic rule over the very democratic ideals
for which America stauds?"