The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-12-29
GERMANY TRIES
TO SPLIT ALLIES
British Unanimously Believe
That Is Real Object of
Peace Offer.
TERMS ARE NEGOTIABLE
Demands Unconditional Re-
turn Of Colonies: Silent
on Own Conqucsts.
TERMS ARE INEQUITABLI
Special Gable Despatch to Tar Suy.

Copyright. 1917. all rights reserved
LONDON, Dec. cs.-A wide divergence
Of opinion concerning the German peace
Brest LitOvsk has developed in Great
Britain and Is reflected in the press and
other discussions Detailed examinations
of the proposals lead TO the unanimous
verdict that German diplomacy has most
skillfuly sought to divide opinion among
the allied nations and also to create fac
tional differences within each allied ma
ton
Almost without exception i; Is agreed
that peace made on the basis OF the ex-
tremely artful German statement would
leave Germany Substantially victor in
the war for Germany. while demanding
the unconditional return of the con-
Quercd territories Instead she pro-
poses nominal restoration of sover-
eighty in tile conquered areas with the
retention of important advantages in her
own favor. including the indefinite occu-
patton of important points.
strategic Point. Involved.
For instance. the German terms
plainly indicate the purpose OF restoring
the nominal integrity of Belgium, hut
important strategic points. undoubtedly
including Antwerp, are to be retained
similarly Germany would restore the
oretical autonomy to Poland, but under
the terms as indicated would insist on
the continued occupation Of Warsaw and
probably other centres
These aspects however. are apDaren
Only under close examination OF the
implications of the German PROPOSALS
At the first glance the terms suggest "A
fair exchange. each side surrendering
conquered territory. but this il plainly
not the Germans nurposc u is an eN-
tremely dangerous if superficial view,
and the direct conclusion Is such as
Germany desired.
Nevertheless. the ma jority OF the Brit
iSh newspapers are of the opinion that
it is undesirable to consider the reiec-
tion offhand of the German peace offer
pointing out that these are obviously
Germany's maximum terms and further
discussion doubtless would produce mod
ification and amelioration, perhaps a
l, real basis for beginning detailed nego-
t!ations of peace terms.
Count Cxcrnin's Statement.
The NorthcliTe press uncompromis-
ingly demands the entire rejection OF
the proposals The Daily Mah after
| an analysis of the danger In the pro-
uosdls. says:
at is useless to follow all the twists
OF German triCkery Three Of the con-
ditiols make plain the holloWness of the
farce: First. the German colonies are to
be rcstored--the British empire will he
blown sky high before that happens :
second, both sets of belligerents are to
renounce Naturalization for war dam
agcs--thc answer is we shall weaken the
demand for reparation for Belgium when
We are forced to, not sooner. third. all
the Allies are to accept the Russian
proposals and place themselves in the
diplomatic hands of the Boshcviki--
the answer is that the Allies are not
, thinking about peace, but only about
victory and mean to have II.
Count Czernin's statement to the Rus
| sian delegates at the Brcst-I.itovsk con-
| Terence OF the peace terms of the Cen
I tral Empires Is regarded here as n de-
| termined effort by Germany ito force a
| general peace meeting instead Of dealing
| separately with Russia. The German
| Willingness to make peace on the basis
or no anneXations and no indemnitics
| by either side. provided general peace
| is made, but her unwillingncss to adhere
TO such terms II negotiating separately
with Russia, Is regarded as a confession
of moral weakness.
The German terms are designed an
parently AZ threat against France to
, induce her to influence England in favor
of general peace now when the situa :
ton is that Great Britain and GERMANY
are the only nations which are terri
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