New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-12

terms of the Germans are. lie alone
then will be able 70 make comparison,
Of the demands Of both sides and VIII
have to decide il there il any posi-
bility of an approach TO the stage OF
negotiations.
II the German attitude toward the
note Of the Allies is a measure OF thal
possibility. then the chasm between
the belligercnts still is too VIDE TOT
bridging.
The French and British believe with
all their souls that there must ne
much more war before peace Is pos.
sible. The words Of the note itsell
best express their view OF the exist
ing conditions:
at is impossible at the present
moment 20 attain n peace
They believe the President injected
this government into the situation at
least year too soon. They hope
with all their souls he now will wait
for a time more opportune for
peacemaker.
Among the Germans the desire for
peace appears TO be father TO the De.
lief that possibly the incident is not
closed. They know il is closed for
them. They have decided TO make no
further move. They look to the Pres
ident TO prepare the way Tor furtner
negotiations.
The Germans here are very frank IN
their staten ents TINT the only hope
the Allies have Of winning the war ~
TO get the United States in on their
side. The Allies. on the other hand
say that actual participation on the
mart of the United States is the last
thing they wish for. They do want the
svmpathy and moral support of this
government and the American people,
however.
Germany Forgcts Conquest
Il is evident to observers here that
Germany has given up all hope OF
conquest in the west and hopes only
for firm establishment Of ler present
dominion in the Balkans and a clear
road to the east. The Allies arc de-
termined to prevent realization Of that
plan. On tis battle front, where now,
it has become evident. the war will be
fought to its final conclusion, Russia,
of course, mairly is interested. Friends
of tho Allies here point out that talk
of D separate peace with Russia IS
quite absurd.
But the peace situation wrongly so
described. because there never was
chance of success for the negotiations
which the President was so anxious to
help along swings not upon the hopes
and desires of either of the belligerents
nor even upon the present state OF
the war map. Mr.. Wilson, as has been
clear almost from the day he dis
patched his note, made deliberate at
tempt to assist and. therefore, con-
ciliate Germany.
For the moment, at least, he pleased
the imperial German government. Its
pleasure was most articulately ex-
pressed through its representatives.
The displeasure Of the Entente is sufh-
GENTLY indicated in to-night's note.
As President Wilson sent his note to
assist Germany, what can he now do?
The Allies have publicly stated the
only terms upon which they would be
willing even to discuss peace. II now
is incumbent upon Germany TO declare
herself as definitely II no such ex-
preston is forthcoming it is certain
sign that Germany has given up all
idea of peace. If Germany has given
up, how can the United States 20
further?
U-Boat Warfare Threatens
II the struggle goes on, ruthless sub
marine warfare is threatened. This is
true despite the protests Of Germanys
diplomats. Iffrhe renewed outbreak of
submarine frightfulness comes quickly,
how long will il be before this govern
ment will be obliged TO break with
Germany? Then, indeed. as Secretary
Lansing, in explaining the Presidents
note, said, we will be on the verge Of
war.
Germany note OF tonight, addressed
TO The neutral governments Of the
world, is considered here TO he one of
the master strokes in publicity Of the
whole war. OF course, it was prepared
in advance OF the publication of bhe
note of the Allies. But the Germans
did some very clever guessing. and
their statement tonight shows that
they had a very clear idea Of what
the Allies had in mind TO say.
The timing Of the note TO appear in
the newspapers on the same day that
the Entente note appeared was cleverly
The expressions used in the
German note are, many of them, cX-
actly similar to official German eX-
in this country. There is a
very evident concert of purpose on the
part of the Germans TO influence neu-
trail opinion.