New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-16

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: One month ago. on December IL, Tho
German Government. asserting the Allies tt
be the aggressors In this war and Germany
the victor, requested the Allied government
to agree to a peace conference. This request
wa, transmitted by the United States to the
Allied governments without comment, anc
IL was intimated at that time by the State
Department that the United States Govern
ment would for the present refrain from any
action in regard to peace. Nevertheless, or
December 81 the press published note by
the President to all the belligerents, request
ling that they state upon what terms they
would mako peace; that Is 10 say, what they
were fighting for.
The forwarding Of this note virtually
crossed an authoritative statement upon the
Allied position in regard TO the German re-
quest for a peace conference made through
Premier Lloyd George The Allied reply to
the German request was published on Deem
Der %. In substance IL denied the truth OF
the premises upon which the German Gov
eminent based its proposal, namely, that
! Germany was not the aggressor in this war
and that she was victorious, and they refused
peace conference proposed on that basis
A few DAYS later the German reply TO the
Presidents inquiry came. The reply compli-
ments the President as high-minded, states
that terms can best be presented at peace
conference such as the German Government
had previously proposed, with the Inference
that neutrals are not concerned in the peace
terms, which is further accentuated by the
statement that it is impracticable to consider
measures TO prevent recurrence OF such
war until after the peace conference desired
by Germany shall have been held.
The Allied reply 10 the Presidents note oil
inquiry has Just been published The Ger
man Government simultaneously put forth
through its press service what is stated to
be the text Of a statement addressed TO the
neutral governments by way of comment on
tho Allied reply TO the German proposal
This statement follows an address by the
Kaiser to his army and navy in which, bring
ING God and humanity to witness, he AYERS
that ION our enemies governments alone falls
the heavy responsibility for all further sac
rifices, from which wished to save YOU
So much by way of review of the events
which followed Germany's request for peace
conference.
The Presidents Service
As il turns out, the President has rendered
humanity a service by his inquiry. The out
standing fact is that in response 70 IT tho
Central Powers declined to state what they
are fighting for, while the Entente Allies, as
/ is universally recognized even by organs
which are controlled by publicists acting IN
the interest OF their enemies, have told the
whole world precisely what they are fighting
for. Their entire position may be summa
rized in two words, which are: Liberty, JUS
tice. Two words without which third word
Civilization. would cease to have any signih-
canoe.
Specifically, they are:
"In the frst instance the restoration OF
Belgium. OF Serbia and Of Montenegro, and
the indemnities which are due them
>. "The evacuation of the invaded terri
tories of France, of Russia and OF Rumania
with just reparation."
3. THE reorganization of Europe guar
anteed BIZ a stable settlement based alike
upon the principles OF nationalities, on the
right which all peoples, whether small or
great. have to the enjoyment Of full security
and free economic developments, and also
rpon territorial agreements and international
arrangements so framed as TO guarantee land
and sea frontiers against unjust attacks
(. "The restitution of provinces or terri
tories wrested in the past from the Allies by
force or against the will of their popula-
tons
5. "The Liberation OF Italians, Of Slavs, of
Rumauians and of Tcheko slavs from foreign
domination
6. "The enfranchisement of populations
subject TO the bloody tyranny of the Turks. >
Z. "The expulsion from Europe OF the OF
ioman Empire, which has proved itself so rad
icallv alien to Western civilization
2. The restoration Of Poland as an auton-
omous government, it being pointed out that
the intentions Of His Majesty the Emperor
Of Russia regarding Poland have been clear
~ indicated in the proclamation which he has
lust addressed 10 his armies
.. II is specified that, while "the Allies
wish 10 liberate Europe from the brutal COW
etousness of Prussian militarism, it never
has been their design, as has been alleged, to
accomplish the determination Of the German
peoples and their political disappearance