Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-29
SLOW BUT SURE

To the Editor Of the Epening Ledger:
Sir--When the great Wilsonian doctrine
that the kernel of the war was the de-
mocratization of Germany was launched,
there were too many of us who began to
expect the German revolution to begin at
once. AS month after month passed by,
with the Kaiser still firm in the saddle, we
began to feel that the characterization idea
was sheer idealism, unconvertible into fact.
The Reichstag crises seemed to be mere
academic changes of front on the part Of
statesmen, indicating no fundamental
changes OF viewpoint among the people.
And now, five months after Mr.. Wilson de-
clared that we could never be friends with
a German autocratic Government, the
world fills again with peace talk; with talk
that is of possible friendship with that
very Government to which We are sup
posed to have given the potential DEATH
blow.
The wilsonian doctrine trusted in the
Kaiser to fight on to the death, until he
was dethroned either by the Allies or by
the German people or else changed into a
constitutional monarch. 1t relied upon the
Kaiser to remain the arch-fiend of the situ-
alton. Really, we must look upon it as a
distinct breach of faith with us il the
Kaiser should consent to reasonable terms
Of peace. If he yields all we want him to
yield, strict Wilsonians must quote from
the speech of April 2: "A steadfast concert
for peace can never be maintained except
by a partnership of democratic nations.
No autocratic Government could be trusted
to keep faith within 1t or observe its cove
nants."
If the Kaiser, then should reply to the
Pope's appeal Cor to the inevitable later
appeals) in a document countersigned and
subscribed to by the leading representa-
tives Of the German people; If movements
toward peace should be guaranteed by Ber-
lin as being sanctioned and authorized by
the German people as well as by their ex-
ecutive are we prepared to state what form
of written constitution guaranteeing the con-
tinued responsibility of the German people
for their Government would be acceptable
TO us? Are we not really betting that the
Kaiser will play true to form and leaving
the future constitution of Germany to
chance? Remember, the Kaiser has now
had five months to study every possible
way in which he can present a diplomatic
front which will appear to guarantee "a
partnership of democratic nations" and we
are not to suppose that he will necessarily
choose the precise, stupid course which
will eventually leave him, like Napoleon,
hoping that a bullet will reach his heart as
he retires from his Waterloo.
No. we have been trusting that the
Kaiser will behave like the Car and that
Herr Scheidemann will behave like Keren-
sky. But you cannot always trust a tyrant
to keep on being bad and a radical to keep
on being extreme In his demands for de-
mocracy. 1t Is even possible that Ger
many pressed to the breaking point and
united by common suffering might find
itself more firmly attached to the mon
archy than ever. saying, Punish us as
much as you please, but this one blot you
will not put upon our shield. that we let
you change our form of government for
U.S. Humbled and poor, we shall all the
more need a strong central government
rather than trust to new wild democracy
of the Russian type"
But all these possibilities are leaving out
what believe to be the true solution which
the facts point to. Demonstration of Ger
many should be, cannot help but be, slow
but sure. A new idea takes time to sink
In. They have had only five months in
which to chew over the Wilsonian doctrine
It happens that modern warfare and the
present military situation move slowly. In
the Napoleonio era the French tried to
democratize all Europe; but the swiftness
of Napoleon's successes defeated their own
purpose. Had they been slower and more
painfully earned democracy would have
held It's place in France and the fight with
the Prussian, Russian and Austrian auto.
Gratis would have taught the peoples Of
Europe what they were TO learn a century
later---that a world war can have no ,uau,Sc.
ing unless II Is fought to make diplomacy
"a concert Of free peoples"
The very dificulty and slowness OF our
military task make u posaibie sor NJ
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