Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-19

Here, at their maximum, were the al
lied war aims. all outgrowths of pecu-
liar conditions in Europe, all resting,
SO far as the European proposals were
concerned, upon the liberation of races
held subject to German, Austrian or
Hungarian tyranny.
Modified by the Revolution.
The Russian revolution. carrying with
1t remuneration of the Russian ambi-
tions in Galicia and at the Dardanelles,
materially and instantly modified the
allied program. 1t eliminated the ques-
ton of the partition of Asia Minor and
OF eastern Austria BY withdrawing
Russian support from Rumanian and
Serbian ambition il automatically ter
minated the hopes of these peoples for
the liberation of the portions of their
race still under Austrian rule, and in
TACT 1t demolished the whole Sallied
program for the destruction of Austria
Hungary, since it was not possible to
conceive of the liberation of the Slavs
OF Austria Hungary without the direct
aid OF the great Slav state of Russia.
In fact. therefore. the Russian revolu-
ton entirely changed the war aims of
the allied nations. who, while they still
might believe in the Justice of the pro-
gram which contemplated the liberia
ton of the Rumanian, the Serb, the
Czech and the Pole, were bound to rec
ognize that such a program was be-
yond the resources of the western ma
lions once Russia had renowned her
part in this policy.
Two Sets of War Aims.
There remained two sets of war aims
the original purpose of the allies at
the beginning of the war to defend Ser
bia and Belgium, and the issues predf-
Gated upon the old wrongs of Alsace-
Lorraine and of the Italian Irredenta
We have had in recent months many
reaffirmations of the purpose of the
people of Great Britain and of France
and of Italy to fight Non until the indie
pendence of Belgium and of Serbia is
assured and until the Serbian and Bel
gian peoples are Unidentified for the suf-
ferings and the losses incident to the
application of the German and Austrian
policies of ruthlessness to their states.
We have had the declaration of the
French people through their prime min
lister that France will fight until AL
sace-Lorraine is regained, and we have
had the declaration of Mr.. Baifour that
England. in his opinion, must support
this French purpose. It is inconceiy-
able that Italy at this time would lay
aside her demand for Trieste and the
Trentino.
Serbian and Belgian independence.
The proposal of the Pope as now fore
Swallowed meets clearly the allied war
aims, SO far as the independence of
Serbia and Belgium is concerned. Nor
could less be expected. because without
such recognition no offer of mediation
would be considered by the allies now
AS to the secondary questions of AL
sace-Lorraine. Trieste and the Tren-
tino. the papal policy contains the sug-
gestfon that these, as well as the ques-
ton of Poland, be settled by negotia-
ton and by discussion. So far no sug-
gestion has been advanced as to how
these questions can be settled, or what
court of last resort could be establish
ed to settle them. and whose decision
would be accepted as final>by the par
ties concerned.
We should recognize at the outset of
all peace discussion that while in fact
sociated with Austria and with the
Catholic party in Germany, the mere
fact that it includes the restoration of
Belgium and Serbia makes it tanta-
mount to demanding the defeat of Ger
many and of Austria. For 1t was over
Serbia and Belgium that the world
went to war. 1t was to defend Serbia
that Russia drew the sword; the Bel
gian episode supplied the occasion for
British entry into the war. and IL the
terms of peace establish the independ-
ence of both these countries German
defeat is unmistakable.
Bars Road to Near East.
We must recognize also that the liberia
ton and restoration of Serbia and Monte
negro would restore that condition created
by the second Balkan war, which barred
the road for the central powers to the
near east 1t would restore the barrier
between the component parts of the Ger
man mitteleuropa empire. and thus 1t
would leave Germany and Austria, even
had they no other concessions to make
still in that situation which seemed to
their rulers so intolerable as to justify
world struggle.
We can conceive easily that Austria is
prepared now to offer Italy the Trentino,
since a practical offer OF this territory.
vital to the safety of Italy and inhabited
by the Italians. was made prior to Italys
entrance into the war. That there is any
chance of an Austrian cession OF Trieste
is unthinkable. Conceivably-and only
Germans may, under
pressure from Austria, consent to the res
toration of Metz and the small French
speaking portion of Lorraine around that
city. That Germany would make any fur
Their concession in Alsace-Lorraine at this
time is unbelievable.
Actually, SO far as one can see, the pos
sible cession of the Trentino to Italy and
Of Metz to France is the extreme that
papal mediation can hope to reach in the I
matter of Alsace-Lorraine and the italian :
irredenta. What proposal for Poland can
be made 1t is almost impossible to con- 4
ceive That Austria will consent to resign !
western Galicia. with its 100000 Poles. /
10 an Independent Polish state creared out |
Of a Russian Poland is barely thiniable.
That Germany would give up any part of |
her Polish territory Is still out of the /
question.
Sacrifices Too Great.
If the people Of France would con-
sent to renounce their just claims TO /