New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-30
President Limits
War to the Issue
Of German Freedom
By c. w. Gilbert


eral impression here is that the fresi-
dents note to the Pope raises an issue
which cannot be compromised and tna'
n long war will ensue. No one at
tempts to say what "long war" means
IN terms Of years or months. what
Is in every ones mind is that the pres
ent peace efforts are plainly aboruve'
and that II will take time for Mr.. Will
sons alternatiye--the Kaiser and wsr
or self government and peace-to slak
into the German national conscious
ress. or into that of the Hohenzollerns
themselves. and produce its effect.
One Republican Senator put 1t with
evident satisfaction, 1.-THE President
could not have drawn harder or faster
line than he did
In general there was pleasure that
single plain and unmistakable ISSUE
had been made. This issue is sterncr
and more concrete one than the Allies
have ever ventured TO make before. It's
effect is to harden their purposes.
All calculations upon how the rais-
ing of this issue will affect the Ger
man people enter into the uncertain
realms of national psychology. where
all is guessing and guessing influenced
by bias where the psychology of an
enemy is concerned
Liberal Influence Not Known.
Tho State Department has no infor-
nation upon which TO base any conclu-
s,ons as TO the importance Of the lib
eral movement in Germany, and there
Is. GOOD reason to believe that it does
not count too seriously upon this
movement or upon the economic dis
tress among the people as factors max
ing for a change of government AID
thus for peace.
All the lessons of the war so far
have been that the powers of national
endurance are much greater than any
one supposed, and the capacity every
where to fight on even now is probably
still much greater than surface indi-
cations Of WEAKNESS and want would
indicate.
It Is expected that the immediate
effect of the Presidents note will be
to strengthen the Kaiser's position
with his people. There are many rea
sons for this. The natural resentment
Of people who believe they have hal
all the best Of the war so far at hay
ing a stern and incorporating COLI
dition Of peace offered TO them viii
be enough to move its war spirit anew.
Moreover, the government controls
The means for forming public opinion
and will use them TO offset what
will be styled an insolent demand
that the German people remake their
government at the dictation Of for
eign power. The final influence Of the
Presidents note will be felt only after
this first reaction wears of.
Limited Monarchy May Result
In the mean time il is not to be
overlooked that it may affect the Ho-
henzollern dynasty as soon and as
powerfully as il affects the German
people themselves. The President does
not expressly demand the deposition OF
the ruling family. Apparently linn
tied monarchy like that Of England
may satisfy his conditions.
To save the throne for his son the
Kaiser, as tho war goes on. may be i'm
PEELED TO change the government OF
the country himself. But no one here
expects him to yield quickly or the Ger
man people 70 respond quickly TO Mr.
Wilson's terms. The German people
and the German Kaiser think very
much alike That is one reason why
Europe is drenched in blood. A change
in the point Of view Of either OF them
will be slow work. That is why the
general verdict IS long war.
The only criticism heard here is that
the note is too vague in details. Prob
ably il was intended 20 be indefinite
upon every point except upon the one
demanding such guarantees for the
future as can only be obtained through
substituting popular government for a
military oligarchy In Germany-ant
even here the question whether the
Kaiser must be deposed or not is left
10 be interpreted one way or other. &C
cordng as the fortunes Of war may go
In being indefinite upon territorial
changes and financial indemnities. Mr.
Wilson evidently desired 10 concen'
trate all attention upon the one de
- al ALL Sot '
house in order so that their neighbors
could live alongside them in peace and
confidence Had he said also you mus,
give up Alsace-Lorraine there would
have been two issues 10 discuss.
Attention Fixed on One Big Issue
An indemnity to Belgium would raise
another. And so on through the list
Of other vexing questions among which
hitherto the main issue of the war has
tended TO get lost TO sight.
The effect OF Americas entrance into
the war has been 10 fix attention upor
the one big issue. that no military oil
gsrchy be left at the end Of this fight
ing in position TO plunge the nation,
OF the earth into worldwide confict
again. and upon that only. Beside this
all other questions become subsidiary
Our assertion Of this one great issue
IN an uneompromising form, it is felt
In all circles here, will have a great
moral effect in Europe, not only amonl
our Allies, bat also In Germany.
In connection with the uncompromis
ing language Of the note insisting upor
democracy in Germany, IL Is interestin,
70 know that several days ago one d
the leading diplomats in Washingto,
sent word 20 his government that no
Wherh among the foes Of Gerpna.., -,