The Washington times., 1917-12-31
j. S. AND ALLIES
EXCHANGE VIEWS
ON PEACE TERMS
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

CONTINUED from First Page)
terms has developed a state Of opin-
ion in Washington very much like
that which prevailed in London when
President Wilson just a year ago this
month asked both sets OF belligerents
to state their peace terms.
The move was at first regarded as
an intrusion, as an effort to bring
about a premature peace. But later
It was realized that the President had
given the allies an opportunity to
express clearly to the whole world
the bases of their cause. their creed.
their principles Of policy. And Great
Britain was explicit. while Germany
refused to be as candid.
Double Opportunity.
BY answering Germany's terms,
therefore. there is a double oppor-
tunity: first, to reach into Russia
with a statement OF the allied posi-
ton that may cause the Russians TO
pause at this critical moment and
consider whether they are being dealt
with sincerely and to enable them TO
obtain from Germany by negotiation
even more favorable. terms than the
Berlin government was prepared At
the outset to concede; second, to cut
away from the German program the
portions OF the offer which Gould be
considered favorable and to show the
whole world the futility OF accepting
the other clauses until the whfle
pact can be guaranteed by the CIR
man people and a government IN
which the whole world can place p
trust
ReIteration of war aims Mr.. IL
son himself has declared, cannot be
done too Otter. And the Ger1 hn
peace offer Affords another opllr-
tunity to hearten the peoples OF be
belligerent countries in making pl|tn
to them how much Germany hasle el-
ready conceded and how much n Atrs
is yet to be accomplished before
peace can be made
This would have a vital effect in
Germany for with the anxiety OF the
peoples OF the central powers for an
ending of the war, an anxiety In
tensified by the hardships OF winter
the pressure upon the autoeratic 4fv-
ernment that now rules Germthy
must conceivably grow stronger tind
tend to bring about that social Ter
ment which so many people believe
is going to hasten the establishment
OF a more trustworthy government
in Germany.
The discussion of peace. in other
words, may prove a healthful thing
at the present time. Already there 10
considerable speculation as to the
contagious effect in Germany OF the
enthusiastic demonstrations in Russia
for those parts OF the German pro-
gram which tend toward LIBERALISM
and q new internationalism-
Hopeful Sign.
, Certainly the decision of Great
Britain and France to answer the
German terms, and make clear to Rus
sia, as well as the whole world, not
merely what the Questionable fea-
lures of the Berlin offer are, but what
are the principles which the sntents
must see established before general
negotiations can begin, Is one Of the
most hopeful signs toward q general
understanding that have occurred
since the beginning OF the war.
But II Is again . test OF German
sincerity. And the rejoinder OF the
Germans to the expected pronounce
ments from Great Britain and Francs
will prove whether the whole thing
Is a military trick, a peace offensive,
or q disguised confession OF Ger
many's inability or unwiIlingnosS' -
continue the war to the bitter end