New-York tribune., 1917-07-30
Many German Peace Kites
Sent Up in 3 Years Of War
Chief Idea Always Has Been to Induce Allies to Declare
Specific Terms-Wison First to Make
Offer of Good Offices
By ISAAC DON LEVINE


sought TO call out from the nations an
avowal OF their respective views re-
garding peace terms" IL Furthermore
expressed the readiness of the United
States 20 cooperate in securing the tut-
ure peace Of the world.
This note was enthusiastically ac-
cepted by Germany as a forerunner Of
peace. And only week after the re-
ceipt of the Presidents message Ger
many came forward with a reply, in
which she very heartily Endorsed the
American peace note, and even went so
far as 10 suggest the means by which
the first steps to peace could be made,
"by an immediate meeting of delegates
of the beligerent states at neutral
place. But in spite Of her joyful ac-
ceptance of the peace message Ger
many cleverly evaded a reply to the
main question in the Presidents note,
that of stating war aims or peace
terms. This most important question
Germany left entirely unanswered, de-
string first to hear the Allied peace
terms.
On the other hand, the Entente govern
ments received the note very coolly. The
fact that the United States was express
ing it's ignorance of the war aims of the
Allies made many people in Allied
countries hostile TO the Wilson note.
The reply of the Allied governments
was a general statement of peace
terms, postponing a detailed statement
until the hour of negotiations. Their
terms implied "the restoration and
evacuation of invaded territory (in-
cluding Alsace-Lorraine) with repa-
ration and indemnities; the liberation
of Italians, Slavs, Rumanians and Bo-
hemians from Austrian domination,
the expulsion of Turkey from Europe
and the enfranchisement of Turkish
populations"
Thus the Presidents note failed,
but, undismayed, he made a second
and last effort to bring about peace.
In message to Congress he proposed
a peace without victory. a peace in
which neither side was to be the win
ner or the loser, a peace between
equals based upon the following prln-
ciples: Every great people should be
assured a direct outlet to the sea;
there must be limitation OF both
land and naval armaments; no dstinc.
ton between the rights of big nations
anu VI slheill Oltog HtdNt iilhoN bN booVi
upon the principle that governments
derive all their Just powers from the
consent of the governed.
This message met with little en-
couragement and much ridicule in the
Allied countries. 1t was expected that
the Central powers would avail them
selves of it, but Germany had already
decided by that time to launch her
Nl.1 ana ~
TO that effect was made toward the end
of January last, and caused consterna-
ton in all pacifist circles.
At the same time reports Of a sep
arate peace between the Kaiser and tho
Car grew in volume. IL was taken
for granted that Russia would not long
remain in the Allied camp, and the
Teutons were looking toward an early
conclusion of the struggle. But the
Russian revolution, which broke out in
March, for a while checked all talk of
peace.
Then Germany made an effort to ne
gotiate separate peace with Russia 8
extremists, resorting to all kinds OF
tricks. Thus, the Bulgarian diplomat,
Rizow, made several attempts to arrive
at an understanding with Maxim
GOThy, Dub the ldIJeE SApOscu Hlo
scheming. The German commander in
chief even wired to the Russian Coun-
Gil of Workmen and Soldiers an In
vitation to conclude an armistice, but
WAS not answered. The overwhelming 9
majority of Russians rejected the idea
of q separate peace.
The Russian revolution also brought
about the movement to restore the
Socialist Internationale. At the ini-
tiative of the German Socialists an
international conference was TO meet
at Stockholm to discuss peace, but 1t
never materialized. Then the Russian
Socialists issued an invitation to q
similar gathering, announcing at the
same time that the New Russia stood
for no annexations and no indemnities.
To prove this q crisis was caused In
the Provisional Government, the result
of which was that Cabinet subscrib-
ing to this doctrine was set up. To-
day Russia is the chief exponent Of
this formula, which many regard as
the only possible basis for a quick and
durable peace. The Allies have agreed
to the demand Of the Russian govern
ment to hold conference for the pur-
pose Of revising the Allied war aims
and restating their peace terms. This
5 conference is expected to bring peace
much nearer realization than ever be-
fore during the last three years.