New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-09

tives to Europe with instructions to discuss
the ways and means Of carrying forward
4 successful campaign, and not the condl-
tons and terms of peace settlement. These
representatives will stand with the French
and the British in their wise decision not
to open the question of terms
Most of all, our allies in Europe should
not be misled by publication IN certain
journals of articles and statements which
suggest that the United States is giving
any considerable thought or attention to
the possibilities Of a peace by negotiation III
advance of German defeat on the battle
field. This is not the case. Everything
that Mr.. Wilson and his associates in the
Administration have said and done in re-
cent weeks justifes the conclusion that they
see the European situation exactly as it is;
that they recognize that to permit dis
cussion of terms now would be to destroy
the solidarity of the alliance against Ger
many. and that the sole purpose of the
Germans in endeavoring to procure such
q discussion is to destroy the alliance and
TO harvest the fruits of victories won in
the early part of the war. The collapse
of the Russian revolution and the triumph
of anarchy in Russia have had very so
bering influence in America. There is
clear perception of the fact that German
intrigue and manipulation behind the fir
ing line produced the Russian collapse.
There is very great suspicion that similar
operations by the Germans in Italy played
a part in the Italian disaster.
Those who are talking about peace IN
America are quite as unrepresentativc as
similar spokesman of the same propaganda
in other countries. We in America are
thinking of war, preparing for war, look
ing forward to a real decision, without
which it is recognized that all the sacri-
fees of this war will have been in vain.
We recognize that the war did not have
its origin in material questions of prov
inces, territory or trade. We recognize,
and the realization is growing week by
week, month by month, that Germany has
challenged the whole soul and spirit o.
our civilization and we shall not save that
civilization except by repulsing the armed
foe. We recognize equally clearly that
the German effort is and has long been
to give to the war the character Of ma
terial thing, well knowing that once the
spiritual element is removed millions OF
men who make up our democracies will
not fight. If the Germans can trans
form the war into a struggle solely for
provinces. indemnities. trade privileges, 1t
will lose it's appeal and its hold upon the
minds and the spirits OF those VINO must
fight it.
Therefore the American representatives
at the Allied Conference have been In
structed TO discuss the ways and means OF
making war and obtaining victory, and to
avoid those discussions which are fatal
to every cause when they precede victory
in the field. While the German remains
armed and on Belgian and French and
Italian soil there is only one course open
to those who are in arms against the Ger
man idea and the German purpose. This
IS the sober view of America, and this IS
what the American representatives have
TO say in the first European conference in
which American delegates have sat as
Full and equal mariners.