Arizona republican., 1917-12-01
The Lansdowne Letter


 The overshadowing feature of the has sud- denly been precipitated. It is the Russian col lapse, the Italian situation or the struggle the western front say nothing of the futile conflicts in other theaters. It is the surprising letter of the Marquis of Lansdowne looking to peace. Peace may with victory but in the 9pnion of the Marquis the ruin of the world will precede it. Concerning peace nothing now need be said Interest does not lie in the proposal of Bsnsdowne, the manner in which peace would be brought about, but in the effect of the letter upon the British people--the extent to which it represents British sentiment.
 Among the foremost of British statesmen, Lans- aowne is ordinary pacfist and no previous utter Rnce of his has been in the direction of peace. His letter will have the effect of crystaizng whatever peace sentiment there may be in Great Britain and then shall shortly know where stand Its effect will probably be quickly manifested in France where from the beginning there has been a strong peace clement.
 Great Britain has been believed to be the back bone of the alies more insistent upon the complete and utter overthrow of Prussiansm. Great Britain regarded itself the real objective of German designs and it's statesmen have believed that the security of the British empire and British well-beng in trade and commerce demanded the permanent abasement of Germany.
 We are not sure yet that there is any consider able peace sentiment in Great Britain and that the letter of the Marquis of Lansdowne is intended to accomplish anything than overthrow of Premier Lloyd George The premier is being attacked many sides, and the difficulties of his position are increasing. Among his opponents many who are not pacifists Two weeks ago the Leeds Mercury attacked him vigorously and almost viciously the ground of his failure. It applied his methods the criticism which two years ago he bestowed upon the Asquith government in his famous 'Too Late!" speech
 The Leeds Mercuryis controlled by Lord North cliffe the who elevated Lloyd George to the pre- Iniership Lord Northclffe is though a pacifist so that he would be in sympathy with the Marquis of Lansdownes move but he has always demanded a vigorous prosecution of the whose seriousness he appeared from the beginning understand fully than any other Englishman.
 The United States than any other nation involved in the is concerned in the Lansdowne letter for less than any of the allies this country afford peace except upon the ruins Prussianism. We cannot take part in any peace plan without the loss of our selfrespect the removal the last rags of the very ragged respect in which we held in Germany We are. perhaps more cordially hated in Berlin than British are and certainly much more hotly hated than the French, Serbians and Rumanians are. Peace now would mean the fighting it out. probably alone with Germany five. ten years, or possibly a generation hence. The Mar qus of Lansdowne would make peace perpetual through international pact But there can be no pact that carries with it guaranty of perpetuity Governments constantly changing and the first change might be destructive of the pact.