Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-02
PrL-Germon Peace Parrots.

The pro-German peace parrots in this country
have been joyfully garrulous of late over the
Kaisers reply to the Vatican, and particularly
his rumored willingness to restore the lands
which has vandals have invaded and despoiled.
There" chartered the yellow poes of Prussan-
ism, Germany accepts President Wilson's terms,
and stands ready to give up Belgium along with
ruthless ambition" But now comes Chancellor
Michaelis, who is more nor less than the
Kaisers secretary. repudiating the suggestion of
Germany's willingness to evacuate the conquered
territories. So falls another piece of the camou-
fage with which the Hohenzollern's American
friends have been trying to mask his treachery.
And will the entire fabric of their specious
propaganda crumble under the test of events.
German autocracy is no inclined to fair
dealing and righteous peace now than it was when
it precipitated it's long planned 1t is no more
minded to accept President wilson's terms today
than when it broke its solemn pledges to our Gov
eminent and, by its continual murders of innocent
Americans, forced the United States to arms Now
that it the vast shadow of Americas mastering
strength and hears the rumble of its approaching
doom, German aGtocracy is eager indeed for
truce-an inconclusive settlement that will leave
it powerful and free to its black adventure.
But that is the only object of its sundry peace"
proposals-that, together with effort to
strengthen the morale of the German people by
making it appear that the Allies will hear to no
honorable terms whatsoever.
The rumor of Germany's willingness to give up
Belgium started where all such rumors start, in
Berlin. It one of the gas bags the Kaiser is
continually sending up to try the winds of world
sentiment. Having served its purpose, this inspired
rumor is officially denied. So of all the peace
suggestions that creep forth from Berlin and are
nursed so sedulously in pro-German bosoms. Each
is "feeer," but each hides serpent-sting of
perhdy. What boots it that the Kaiser processes
belief in arbitratng international disputes and in
reducing ornaments? Admirable they are in
principle those world reforms will not be practi-
cally discussable while German autocracy stands.
For there could be reasonable hope of German
autocracy's abiding by any pledges treaties it
might make President Wilson spoke emphatically
onhis point in his reply to the Popes peace note:
I'VE cannot take the word of the present
rulers of Germany guarantee of anything
that is to endure, unless explicitly supported
by such conclusive evidence of the will and
purpose of the German people themselves as
the other peoples of the world would be justi
fed In accepting Without such guarantees
treaties of settlement, agreement for disarm-
ament, covenants to set up arbitration in the
place of force, territorial establishments, re-
constitutions of small nations, if made with
the German Government, no man, nation
could now depend on,
=. That is to say, there can be peace with
Kaiserism There could be patched-up armstice,
1t is true, feverish interim of preparation for
other and more terrible war But not until the
criminal regime that now grips the German nation
is overthrown there be peace that will
dure a settlement worthy of the heroic hosts
who have poured out their blood for freedom.
America entered this war with the wellthought-out
and resoute purpose of making the world safe for
democracy and safe for civilization. Never until
that end is achieved and it is certain that Ameri-
can fresides forever against brutal Prus
sianism can we afford in wisdom justice or
honor to lay down arms.