New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-22

indicates tardy but hopeful recognition
on the part of our government of the true
aim of German policy in recent years.
There is no better evidence OF the peril
to the world of German victory or
German draw in this conflict than is sup
piled by the map which BethmannHoll-
veg a year ago described as the war map
on which Germany's peace proposals would
be based
Germany's plan is to dominate Central
Europe; to bind to her will the millions
of Slavs in Austria, in the Balkan pen
insula; to transform Austria into a sub
feet state; to make Serbia, Rumania,
Greece, Bulgaria slaves and to dominate
Turkey as a master.
AS The Tribune has often pointed out,
this plan has been, in large measure,
realized in the present war. Any peace
that now comes leaving to Germany power
or control in the Balkans or in Asia Minor
would mean but a truce. 1t would mean
= neace like the several peaces between
Napoleon and Europe before Europe real
ized as a whole that the Napoleonic ambi-
ton threatened all states equally and could
he tbwarted only by defeat in the field and
hv the exile of Napoleon from the throne
f France.
The Russian revolution has materially
changed the situation. 1t holds out
nromise that if the war continues for an
other six or eight months, and there is no
senarate peace between Russia and the
Central Powers, there many be an appllca-
ton on the part of one or more OF Ger
many's allies for a separate peace with
Germany's enemies.
It is worth recalling in what changed
position Turkey now stands since Russia
renowned all claim TO Constantinope, to
the Dardanelles and to Turkish territory
generally. Turkey entered the war be-
cause Russian victory in the war insured
the loss to Turkey of her capital and her
European province. AS long as Russia
demanded Constantinople Turkey was
bound to fight on, but now that this peril
has passed the Turk has the opportunity
10 make a separate peace and free himself
from the presence of the German master,
as. with the help of the German, he has so
far protected himself against the Russian
menace.
A prolongation of the war merely to
hermit Germany TO annex Russian and Bel
gian and French territory may not I'M
possibly in future months tend to lessen
the sympathy between the Austrian and
Hungarian ruling classes and Germany. a
revision of Allied purpose as to Austria
Hungary might remove for the Dual Mon
archy all the raisOn d'etre of the war.
1t is patent that the war must continue
until one of two things happens: Until
tho Central Powers arc crushed and
military victory breaks Germany's hold
unon Austria, Bulgaria and Turkey; or
until Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria, rec
ocn;zing that their interests are no longer
;dant;cal with those of Germany, free
themselves from the German domination.
Could Austria escape then there would be
AN end of Germany's grandose Mittel-
europa scheme, and the Russian revolution,
with its revision Of Russian ambitions,
manifcstly removes the chief occasions Of
the war from the Austrian point OF view.
Germanophile newspapers in this coun-
try. like "The Evening Mail" are busily en-
gagged now in disseminating the idea that
America has no interest and no concern in
interfering with Germany's plans to ex-
pand through Austria 20 Asia Minor and to
dominate Central Europe. The answer to
such claims is obvious. The United States
has every concern in seeing a permanent
peace come at the end Of this struggle.
Permanent peace would be impossible if
Germany were permitted to erect the
empire which she plans, to enslavc mill
ions OF Slavs, Rumanians and Turks, and
on this new supply of cannon fodder to
erect military empire.
II is an encouraging sign that Wash
inston has, at last, walked up to the reality
Of the German purpose and is now en-