New-York tribune., 1917-07-30


the worlds horizons. Peace proposals.
peace terms and separate peace rumors
have ever since remained as much a
part Of the daily history of the war as
the military developments.
President Wilson was the first to
come out with a peace offer. In the
first week of August, 1914, he rendered
his good Offices to the warning nations
This offer has never been withdrawn
although the United States is now it.
self one of the belligerents.
What may be described as the first
German peace balloon appeared in this
country Immediately after the battle
Of the Marne, when the Teuton armies
advancing toward Paris were hurled
back by the French. Count Won Bern
storff, German Ambassador to the
United States; Oscar Straus, Secretary
Bryan and James Speyer were all re-
sponsible in various degrees for peace
inquiry addressed informally to the
Kaiser by the American government
Won Bethmann-H Hollweg, the German
Chancellor, in reply informed Ambassa-
dor Gerard that first "the United States
ought to get proposals of peace from
the Allies"
This answer of the Chancellor con-
tains the chief idea behind the numer-
Gus subsequent peace kites sent up IN
neutral countries by German agents
during the three years Of the war
They were all intended to draw out
the Allies to declare their specitc
peace terms, and failed. President VIII
sons second attempt ended in his de-
cision to make no further efforts
toward mediation, keeping, however
the door of peace always open.
Germany's Overtures
In October, 1914, Germany made peace
overtures to France and Russia sep
arately. France was offered part of Al
sace-Lorraine in return for Germanys
retention of a considerable part OF
Belgium. The proposal was, OF course
Indignantly rejected. The Car was ap'
preached next, but he answered: Peace
is possible only when Russia reaches
the heart of German soil. This Is the
unanimous opinion Of all Russians
The wear of 1915 began with peace
moves in the United States under the
auspices of various public bodies. The
Socialists of neutral countries met IN
January at Copenhagen to discuss ar
bitration Of the war. In Amsterdam q
petition was circulated urging Queen
Wilhelmina to mediate. The Pope began
to manifest interest in the question OF
peace, while in England the radical
labor men were clamoring for the end OF
the war, Mr.. Asquith, British Premier
was compelled early in March to an
nounce that all peace talk was prema-
ture. The German Chancellor, in re-
sponse to a request of several societies
about the middle Of March for permis-
sion to debate peace, barred all discus
sion of that subject.
Women Start Movement
At about the same time Nine. Rosika
Schwimmer, the noted Hungarian paci-
fist. visited the United States and
launched campaign for the Immediate
conclusion of the war. Her original
aim was to induce the United States
to call conference of neutral nations;
in this she failed. But she succeeded
in interesting American women in her
plan, as a result of which fifty women
chosen at mass meetings throughout the
country left for The Hague to attend
peace conference, at which many
American and European women were
present. But nothing of any practical
effect was accomplished.
At the same time the Pope called re-
pestedly on the belligerent nations to
make peace. One of his strongest mes
sages was published July 80, 1915:
"Why should not direct or an indi-
rect exchange of views be initiated in
an endeavor, if possible, TO harmonize
aspirations so that all should be con-
tented? This is our cry for peace, and
we invite all friends of peace to unite
with US in our desire TO terminate this
war and establish an empire of right,
resolving henceforth to solve differ
ences, not by the sword, but by equity
and justice"
But the most direct attempt to re-
store peace in Europe was the expedi-
ton organized By Henry Ford in the
fall of 1915. This expedition sailed for
Europe on December 8 without any
definite plan as to the methods which
were to be employed for the ending OF
the war. II was hoped that when the
peace party arrived in Europe it would
i nf ,rnoaI,,ra n
accomplish its object. But the fate OF
the Ford peace party was not. different
from that of the women's conference at
The Hague. IL proved the end OF all
social efforts to put stop to the great
conflict.
Berlin's 1915 Offers
At the beginning Of 1915 Germany
came forward with a new peace sugges-
ton. officially this new attempt on the
part of the German government to OBJ
tain peace was repudiated; but there
were sufficient indications to leave no
doubt that the new proposal emanated
directly from the Kaiser and his ad-
visers. The indicated peace terms did
not differ much from the preceding
ones. They were less liberal and did
not at all meet the French and British
expectations. In only two points were
they more favorable to the Allies: In
ignoring the conquest Of Poland and
Serbia and in suggesting general re-
turn to the territorial status quo ante
Belgium was to be evacuated, but the
French territory occupied was to be
surrendered only on payment Of an in
demnity. Her African colonies Ger
many wanted restored to her by Great
Britain and France.
Although the new peace offer was re-
iectGd by the Allies. Germany did not
give up her attempts. German peace
oyertures were again and again repeat
ed during the first half Of 1915. Some
times they came through Spain, some
times through Switzerland, sometimes
through Holland. They found an echo
~ I.-I.-l cAn.nr md tha Innoua