Evening journal., 1917-10-11
FUTILE PEACE TALK
LFrom the New York TrIbunel.

President Wilson agrees with the
League for National Unity that talk OF
peace terms before Germany is de-
fealed is futile and harmful. Such talk,
as the President rightly says, Is an
evidence OF misdrected thought 1t
diverts attention from the one essential
purpose this country has in view,
which Is to put AN end TO the terrorist
activities OF the present German gov
eminent. 10 is idle TO discuss peace
until we bring that government to
terms. or until the German people
themselves overthrow It, repudlate its
policies OF brutal aggression and show
a willingness TO make reparation for
the succession Of crimes which Ger
many's rulers have committed under
the plea OF military necessity.
All the peace talk which has filled
the world in recent months has been
OF German origin and has served a
German purpose. The Germans are
keen for a negotiated peace. They are
anxious TO enter into a conference In
which they can bargain IN the old
way for terms, a concession on their
part offsetting a counter concession on
the part Of the Entente Allies. On the
basis Of the war map they would have
every advantage in a give-and-take
settlement. They hold vast areas OF
enemy. territory. They have already
consolidated, by making dependent
states OF Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria
and Turkey, that Mltteleuropa which
has been the dream Of the pan-Ger-
man empire builders.
Germany Is pressing for a peace on
terms which will assure her the fruits
Of her sacrifices. Her present govern
ment will accept no other terms. IL
cannot afford to relnqulsh German
conquests and to offer reparation for
the damage 10 has done in territory
which German armies have occupied.
The influences now in power in Berlin
have no idea Of seeking peace except
as a means Of furthering national ag-
grandlzement.
In the last months OF Bethmann-
Hollwog's chancellorship there wero
signs that the more popular OF the
parliamentary groups were beginning
TO despair OF victory and TO turn to-
ward peace as an end desirable IN it.
sell. Bethmann-Hollweg sympathized
to some extent with the war WEAKNESS
OF the elements represented by the
Social Democratic and Center or Cath
Ollie parties. These parties forced
through the Relchstag an ambiguous
declaration in favor Of peace without
annexations or indemnltles.
But Bethmann-Hollweg fell, the vic
tim Of a reactionary movement headed
by the Crown Prince. Hlndenburg and
Ludendorff. the militarists and the
iunkers: The new Chancellor Mi
chaelis, has talked peace, but has alb
solutely refused to commit the gov
eminent to any definite peace terms.
He is even unwilling to subscribe to
the principle OF no annexatlons and no
indemnitles. He cannot publicly or eX-
pllcltly approve this principle, so in
dustriously advocated by German
agents In Russia, in Sweden and else
where, making use Of the machinery
OF the international Socialist organi-
zatlon. II he did he. would ALLEVIATE the
PANE Germans and the military leaders
and be forced to follow Bethmann.
Hollweg into retirement.
The military autocracy, which still
holds Germany by the throat, cannot
In fact, propose terms Of peace whicl
the Entente Allies would be willing Il
discuss without paving the way 70
It's own abdlcatlon. II would have Il
make public confession that It's lead
ership had failed. II would have Il
confess responsibility for q catss
trophe whose extent the German mint
still refuses TO realize.
Any peace which the non-GermaI
world can consider worth while mus
involve the destruction Of the existing
German government. For when tn
government grows so weak that
must ask for a real peace, involving
a reconciliation Of all its plans Of con
quest and spoilatlon, the German PEG
pie Will themselves turn and rend Il
It can have no function any longer II
a Germany cured OF the mllltarlstl
mania.
For the present, therefore, and 8
long as Michaelis continues in power
talk Of peace terms with Germany
breath wasted. The Allies have every
thing TO lose and nothing to gain b
entering a blind peace conference,
which Germany is TO disclose Jus
what Of her spoil she hopes to kee
and what Of lt she is ready to surrer
der II Germany wants a genuine peac
she Will have TO pay an en0rmou
price for II. Her government Is nj
ready to pay that price; neither are h'
people.
When the Germans begin TO car
more about peace itself than about II
terms OF peace It Will be time enoue
to talk peace. a peace which will la
and which will secure the wor