The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-08-04

be fdifficult to find the way to an I'M
derStanding," was not to be found
in the Berlin article.
This was already establishment.
One might still hope that after things
had furthed developed in Russia, and
especially after the will for peace
not the will for a separate peace,
which for Russia, both on moral and
political grounds, is quite out of the
question-but for a general peace
had still more clearly declared itself
on the part Of the Russian people.
Herr Won Bethmann would at last be
persuaded that an utterance from
him like that of Count Czernin would
very much further the cause of peace.
The sitting Of the Reichstag on Teus-
day would have given the finest op-
portunity for this. Had he declared
trait Germany is not out for conquest,
that she entered the war only for her
own defence, and that she wills as it's
result no annexations. either from
Russia or from any other country, or
even a war indemnify, clearly on the
assumption of reciprocity in these
aims, peace would today have been
secured and the unhappy peoples
would have been allowed to enjoy the
thought that they would be spared
a fourth war-winter. Such a declar-
alton of the German Imperial Chan
cellor would have given the Russian
"workmen and soldiers the power
to bring such pressure on their own
government and on the governments
of the Entente in the direction of
ending the war that they could no
longer have resisted it, and must at
last have decided for peace.
The German and the Austro4Hun-
garian Press has come out with
hymns of. praise Of the Chancellors
speech, and sees in it the proof that
the unity between the leading states
men of the two closely connected en-
pires, which has been doubted by
their enemies. is perfect. lido not, of
course, know the secrets of the Cab
inets of Berlin and Vienna, and the
official sheets may know better; but
ask myself first why Herr Won
Bethmann has not expressed an
equally clear reputation of all an
nexations as Count Czernin has made.
The fact is that he has declined to
make any declaration on the subject.
By this attitude of refusal to de-
| clare himself the Chancellor has Gre
ated a situation as unfavorable pos
sible to peace.
Considering the slight decrease Of
the Russian peasantry to- continue the
war, to endure longer the dangers
and sufferings of the war;, it will
hardly be an effective continuance Of
the war, but civil war and anarchy
may result. This would be no way
advantageous for Germany; for how
could peace negotiations be conduct
ed with a state in which there was
no longer the dangers and sufferings
Of the war, it will hardly be an effec-
tive continuance of the war; but civil
war and anarchy may result. This
would be no way advantageous for
Germany; for how could peace nego-
tiations be conducted with a state in
which there was no longer a legal
| government
The consequence will be that the
war will continue. The Entente will
continue it, cost what it will, till
America is ready to take an active
part. 1t may be that, before that,
final and complete decision on the
west front may be reached. Whether
this is possible, / as a layman in mill
tary matters may not venture to de-
eide, and prophecy is difficult. But
even layman may be allowed to
say without hesitation that it will
cost still more hecatombs of bloody
sacrifices, which could in all prob
ability have been spared if Germany
had satisfied the wish of the Russian
Socialists for a declaration of its war
aims and Reputation Of annexa-
tions and war sindemnities
But also for the time after the war
If at last peace should come, the pres
ent recusant attitude of the German
Imperial, Chancellor will have the
most fatal consequences.
An approach of the two peoples
whom no vital interests really divide
who, on the contrary, are made to
understand each. other, a reconciIia-
ton which is so desirable in the inter
ests of both. and which would have
been possible now, will be postponed
for generations. And the German
people will soon feel this in it's own
body. For 1t would be naive to be-
iieve that Russia, if it is now brought
to the position by Germany of beine
forced to continue fighting, instead OF
devoting itself, under the shelter OF
peace, to. the work of it's generation
will. after the war, when Germany =.
In need of grain, be willing or able
to give her it's grain
\ What is the reason of Herr vor
Bethmann's inability sat last to over.
lcome his hesitation? Is it fear of the
II oN~SAJ - TSAAO Oo1tSCA NdI1N0S ana pan
Germans, who, apart from this, seek
mercilessly to attack and destroy
him? But he must know that If the,
are both numerous and influential
they represent only minority, and
indeed, a quite small minority, of the
German people.
Is 1t because the leaders are not
united over the war aims? That i,
hardly conceivable. After three year.
of war the government must at last
be clear as to the aims for which il
!, encourages the German people tc
these terrible sacrifices of property
and blood.
Can Herr Won Bethmann be afrait
of showing his cards too early, and sc
} giving away his trumps, with which
} he thinks to play at the Peace Con.
ference? That might have been SC
earlier; for the heads of diplomat
are still haunted by the old. routine
} which can only think of peace nego
t1at1ons as a commercial or rather
chaffer1ng bargain in which the on,
over-reaches the other to secure fol
} his country scrap Of the enemy
country, a rectification of frontier,
fertilization, town, or few Villages
more or less, and finally a war in.
! demnity. Herr Won Bethmann is in
deed no diplomat; but in the Foreign
} Office, which is his adviser in mat.
| terS of foreign no1iox Stil1