The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-26
The War For the Week

What does all this peace talk
mean? Is it going to result in any
thing? Is the end Of the war really
in sight?"
Among those who rarely get deeper
into newspaper than the headlines,
and seldom do any additional read
ing, these questions are frequently
heard.
AS a matter of fact, "all this peace
talk" was forecast weeks ago. It
was predicted that Germany would
make big peace offensive" during
the winter months, and try to create
discord among the Allies, possibly
separating one or more OF them from
the circle OF enemies, and making a
separate peace. Germany planned to
come Offering peace with one hand
and the threat of a gigantic offensive
with all the troops taken from the
Russian front, with the other hand.
Plan Has Failed.
But the great peace offensive,
like the offensive at the Marine and
at Verdun has broken down, and the
reaction has set in. 1t is Germany
and not the Allies, which is embar-
raised by the result Of the peace
talk.
Never since the war began, have
the Allies been so closely in SYM
pathy; never so united and so deter
mined; never have their aims been
more clearly understood both at home
and is the ranks of the enemy.
And never has there been such dis
content and unrest in Germany and
Austria.
During the week there has been
virtually no military activity, and at
tention has been almost wholly CEN
tered on the peace negotiations at
Brest- Ltovsk and their reception in
Germany and Austria.
Pan srmanists Show Hand.
The pan ermanists finally show
ed their hand after getting the ap-
prevail Of the Kaiser to their pro-
gram, and demanded the annexation
of occupied territory in Russia. The
Russian delegates promptly refused
these terms, and the final breaking
off Of negotiations appeared newt
able, But for some unexplained rea-
son, this break has not yet occurred.
Probably neither side is willing to
assume the responsibility OF the
break. Won Kuehlmann insists that
there is still a bright prospect OF
reaching an agreement. I
Meanwhile Austria insists that she
does not desire one foot of occupied
territory or one dollar in indemnities.
The Joker" lies in what Germany
and Austria consider an "indepen-
dent Poland. Austria is no better
than a vassal Of Germany now, and
her views are Germany's. II the PAN
Germanists get their demands in
Northern Russia, their idea of an
independent" Poland is all Germany
wants in the south. The Polish peo-
pie have been slaughtered, driven !
from their homes, and terrorized by
the Invaders, until Poland is no more
independent than the part OF Belgium J
that has been occupied. To talk OF
freedom until Poland has been re-
stored and evacuated, is a grim jest. |
Pan GsrmRnists In Saddle.
, AS long as the pan-Germanists re-
main in power there can be no hope
Of peace except by a military victory. I
They are in the saddle now, and when !
they feel assured OF their position !
they undoubtedly will break off the /
Russian negotiations unless the Boil
shevilzi are deposed or recede from |
their stand. They may try to delay !
that break until they feel they can
stifie the burst Of Indignation that |
will greet the news IN Germany.
But Germany's great peace plan
has failed to achieve its object, |
thanks chiefly to the statesmanship |
Of David Lloyd George and President
Wilson.
Many Trench Raids.
Rather extensive raids on the west- |
ern front have indicated nervousness
on both sides. Commanders are Gag