The Detroit times., 1917-01-02
What II Would Mean
sy KENNETH W. PAYNE

What will be the effect upon America
| il German peace proposals. fortified by
President Wilson'S note, succeed in ef-
fccting peace at this time? Politically,
viii Ii be beneficial to us ~ nation, or
will il be disastrous TO our national po-
htical life?
took this question to Prof. Franklin
H tTItrtiings, N tt7UtuHTt1Ia university,
America foremost historian of civilza-
tion and also one of the very first of our
sociological authorities.
America began Prof Giddings,
launching out at once with utmost
surety born. ID was apparent, of long
thought and intense final conviction, lis
based on democracy. and the belief that
democracy is eventually more effective AZ
Ia medium Of national accomplishment
than autocracy But If pro-Gcrman propa-
ganda iI Tins country succeeds in arous-
ING "A strong American sentiment which
brings peace at this luncture. il will rep
resent 90 the average American the tri-
unph of aut0cratic methods over demo
cratic methods, with OF course, CORES
pending setback Tor the democratic con-
cept of government.
"lht peace propaganda in America
sand Prof tdJdinpS would. II IL were in
any way 60 impair the realization by the
Allies ot their objects in carrying on the
war constitute q brilliant diplomatic VIC
tory tor Germany, not only over those ma
lions Of Europe which She SO wantonly
attacked two years ago but also over all
the ideals of TRUE democracy IN which
our own country was conceived
Prof Giddngs has been for q quarter
~ a century not alone one OF our greatest
America s0Ci0logists bat also an aNhorl-
fative critic ~ the whole trend Of world
events. he is professor of the history of
civilization nc Columbia university and an
author among many other sociological
works of a widely read book on "Democ-
racy and empire
I'm IRIS interview he gave voice to the
skeplcal opinion Of the German peace
proposals toward which there has been
marked swing of American public opinion
SINCE Berlin answer 90 President VIII
So0 peace note
'N inning American support of the Ger
man peace proposals would be unquestion-
.abv 4 victory for German diplomacy In
which Ambassador Bernstorff and the
German officials would take-great glory"
aid GiddinQs
when [ say that peace negotiations,
urged by the United States in accord
wth thC>G German proposals, would be a
victory Tor autocriscy which has violated
the ideals GO civilization, | mean il IN the
foIlownss,$ense
Germany started out two years and
half ago 90 impose her power and kultur
.upon EurGlc by force Of arms. She eXer-
7csed military force in Il ruthless way
and her whole course from the invasion of
Belgium has been the most monstrous
Ipecc of cold-blooded savagery IN all hui
man history
and spite her lawless methods she
bas pnt heen able 10 subdue the nations
She hos attacked, tho she holds large
areas Of conquered territory With these
n her hands she has now begun 20 at
tempt to carry off by diplomatic methods
the victory which has 50 far failed to fall
d her armies. In view of these evident
facts ID would BE- the utmost folly for the
HES 10 al acontinue the war or enter any
ocace negotiations until Germany at least
oui of Belgium. The fighting must go
on and the world II large must refuse TO
TRUST Germany word until hy her acts
She proves that he Is ready for peace.
Tier FIRST act must Of course by the
evacuation of the lands she violated
Whether - nc brutal warfare which Ger
many originally chose for her route TO
the conquest of Europe OK n THE
PEACE QUOTATIONS WHICH SHE
NOW PROPOSES while she still has the
takes OF partial victory in her own
hands. we soc the same autocratic policy
n her operations.
Democracy IN Europe is waging "A life
and death struggle against this autocracy.
VIII America prove father 20 her birth
right and w aiding the German peace
propaganda, help in the victory of auto
cratic rule over the very democratic ideals
for which America stands?'