New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-16

that unless the Papal document does in
the matter of Belgium and also in the
matter of Serbia definitely redress the
wrongs committed by Germany and by
Austria all discussion of peace at this
time is impossible.
The question of territorial changes in
Europe is of minor Importance. There
has been a German assault upon the lib
srties of all mankind. There has been an
application of the German method of ruth
lessness to the weak, the innocent. the
HELPLESS. The Germans first attacked the
integrity of nations to serve their own
selfish ends and then attacked the individ-
ual citizens by methods abhorrent to all
civilization in order to attain their ends.
If mankind fails to demonstrate that
the German idea has been defnitively
defeated in this war the German will hold
to his idea. He will again gather up
his strength for a new assault upon the
world if he believes that only accidents
and mishaps prevented his success and
that with these accidents and mishaps
eliminated the ultimate triumph of the
German idea is assured He will follow
the course of Louis XIV after the War
of Devolution; he will follow the course
of Napoleon after the Peace of Amiens.
If this war becomes a discussion OF
provinces and of territories the German
will profit and the German idea may sur
vive. For the world which is fighting
Germany the sole enemy is the German
idea and the German spirit which has
devastated half of Europe and carried
frightfulness across the ocean. There Is
no ground or basis for compromise with
this idea. There is no prospect Of per-
manent peace while those who have
preached and practised this idea remain
in control of Germany. And, conversely,
there is no just reason for prolonging the
war beyond the point when this idea has
been renounced and those who have prac-
tised it have ceased to make the German
policy.
VI Ill Ill Nf inn
document with the eager hope that the
terms which it proposes are terms that
will bring peace back to the world-peace
which is not an illusion; peace which is
not truce; but a peace which is per
manent blessing. But we cannot after
these three terrible years permit anything
but the solid facts to weigh. We have
had one illusion after another crushed in
the mud and agony Of the trenches. We
have seen one convention after another
founded on doctrines of humanity shat
tered against the blood and iron of Ger
man policy.
There is no war party in the world out.
side of Germany. There is no purpose in
the minds of those who are fighting Ger
many which is unalterable or controlling
save the purpose to prevent repeti-
ton of a tragedy brought by Germany
upon this generation of mankind. If the
Papal proposal establishes clearly by its
text and by its terms the defeat of this
German purpose; if it demonstrates to the
German people not merely that this pur-
pose has failed but that it cannot succeed.
now or ever, then the thanks of the civil
lied world will go to Rome and the Papal
document will be accepted as the platform
of those nations which are fighting Ger
many.
But if the Papal document proves to be
one more response to the cry Of agony and
suffering-one more effort to end the hor-
ror without regard to the great issue a.
stake-it seems to The Tribune that it
must be rejected. We have suffered too
much in this war; we have sacrificed too
much to compromise now with an idea
which is destructive of all our civiliza-
ton and with a people which, while they
hold that idea, are common danger to the
life, liberty and happiness of the rest of
mankind.
The words Of Lincoln in his second In
augural Address should be in the minds of
all Americans to-day when they consider
the question of peace and examine the
Papal document. 1t is not for war that
we have fought. 1t is not with any liking