New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-22
"Bethmann Waits
Chancellor Seeks to Confuse Russian
Councils to Delay Armies

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your admirable editorial article Of
May II, "Bethmann Waits" discusses the
European war situation with much clearness
and force. Nothing further need be said
about the questions so ably treated, but it
may not be amiss to point out why the bait
of peace without annexations and indemnl-
ties offered to Russia is not sincere. AS you
aptly describe it, "All this is mere byplay;
very clever byplay, to be sure. 1t is merely
an effort to seduce the Russian proletariat.
/. is propaganda designed to contribute still
further to the disorganization of Russia and
thus still more to free Germany's hand
against her Western enemies
However anxious the extreme Radical So
cialists may be for an early cessation of
hostilities, they could not accept any terms
other than an immediate evacuation of all
territory previously subject to Russian rule.
This would include Russian Poland, and all
parties in the present government of Rus
STA are agreed that the people of Poland
should determine by popular vote the form
of government they wish to adopt Under
present conditions there is hardly a doubt
that they would decide in favor of re-
public, and this would tend to attract to it.
self all parts of the former Kingdom of Po-
land, at least those subject to it previous
to the partitions beginning with 1872. Such
contamination would be the most fatal
blow that could be levelled at the German
and Austrian governments as now consti-
tuted. The agitations and revolutionary eff
g.. D,,,ccia apd Docop in DyuCS ia
and in Galicia, Bohemia, parts Of Hungary
and other Slav territory occupied by Aus
tria would be serious danger to these
empires and almost impossible to suppress.
The paying of an indemnity to Belgium and
the cession of Alsacc- Lorraine would be an
insignificant penalty in comparison to such
a threatening condition, with its subversive
possibilities.
On reflection, it must be evident to an
impartial observer that Bethmann does not
imagine he can bring about peace with Rus
STA, and he is only using all the forces at
his command to confuse councils at Petro-
grad and to delay military action as long
as possible. In this scheme he is assisted
by the German Socialists of all shades, from
Scheidemann to Haase, whose sole aim is to
prevent the weakening of Germany and to
cumstances, even at the expense of strength
ching the military autocracy that is OPP
pressing them. The cry of no annexation
and no indemnity has only been raised by
them since they became convinced that a
decisive Germany victory had become impos-
sible On the other hand, the Russian ex-
trcme Socialists endeayor to bring about a
revolution in all bellgerent countries, so as
to compel universal peace.
How long it may be before such an effort
IS made, and how effective it will prove. it
is impossible TO foretel. But, however that
may be, the present struggle must be con-
tinued by the Allies until the military autocra-
cies Of Central Europe have been thoroughly
defeated. Any peace that might be con-
strued as a partial gain for these powers, or
even draw, would be merely truce. to be
broken as soon as opportunity offered. The
present combat ought to be the final one be-
tween feudal, resctionary institutions and
tendencies and the progressive. democratic
spirit Of modern life.
THEODORE WEHLE.
New York, May IS, 1917.