Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1917-09-07


than has been voiced for many
months, says a dispatch to the Seattle
Times this week from w. w. Jermane,
its Washington correspondent, who
goes on to say that such talk is being
INDUCED in not only by members of
the administration and of congress,
but is heard in the diplomatic corps,
where there is always much caution
in such matters.
The tendency is to believe that the
presidents reply is bound to set
forces in motion in Germany that will
make for peace, perhaps before the
winter is over, and certainly before
the spring drives of 1918 are begun,
Jermane continues. This is indie
pendent of anything that may happen
to Russia.
May Be Key to Peace.
The key to the situation, say those
who think they see peace in sight is
that part of the presidents reply in
which he said he deemed inexpedient
"the establishment of selfish and ex-
elusive economic leagues" This state
ment was made with the knowledge
and consent of England, France and
Italy, in proof of which statement at
tention is called to the degree of favor
with which the reply has been re-
ceived in those countries, and points
to their voluntary withdrawal from
the terms of the Paris conference.
which had in mind an economic war
against Germany, after the conclusion
of military operations.
World trade, it is pointed out, had
very much to do with the beginning
of the war, Germany's wonderful
trade expansion of the last 20 years,
made largely at the expense of Great
Britain, had excited rivalries and Bit
terness between the two nations, and
these were intensified when Great
Britain used all her tremendous in
funce to check further German COM
mercial developments.
Germany, although the war has
given her control over vast areas Of
foreign territory on the continent Of
Europe, has lost her foreign trade,
and the threat of discrimination by
the Allies at the end of the war, which
If successful, would sink her to the
position of a second or third rate
power, has had a remarkably cohesive
influence among her people and
strengthened the military autocracy.
Views of Diplomats.
II Germany can be made to under
stand, through what President Will
son said to the pope and through con-
firmation of that statement, such as
the other Allies are expected to make,
that no trade determinations will be
attempted after the war, that the
Paris conference reached conclusions
that are not in harmony with the
thought of an enduring peace. and
that she is to have an equal opportu-
nifty with the rest of the world to
maintain her place in the sun-if this
is to be the outcome-prominent
diplomats unhesitatingly express the
belief that the war ought to end be-
fore the winter is over. In this be-
lief. the diplomats are Joined by many
American public men of high stand
ing ond wide acquaintance with inter-
national affairs.
OF course, peace may not come as Is
here outlined. The men who are
talking 1t admit that at best they are
only guessing; but it is regarded as
significant that the talk has assumed
greater proportions than at any time
since the war took on its deadlock
phase and for the first time is inter-
esting some of the ablest public men
of the nation.
1t is uncomfortable. say the men just
mentioned, that Germany will longer
consent to continuation of the con-
flict when she understands that the
war is dependent on her willingness
to set up constitutional form of gov
eminent, and that as soon as this. is
done. peace will come without repri-
sal, and in a way to insure rapid
world reestablishment without preju-
dice to any nation.
No Objection to HOhenzollerns.
The Allies. it may be said with con-
fidence, have no objection to the
Hohenzollerns per Sc, who have done
no more than other men would have
done if given a like opportunity. The
objection is the system of govern
ment they represent. Remove this
and make the Hohenzollerns consti-
tutional monarchs. with the German
people really in control of their gov
eminent. and the Allies will gladly
treat with them.
The German people. it is pointed
out, would benefit quite as much as
the rest Of mankind through such an
q rro 0omopt opd chnuld ho u,,ick