The sun., 1918-09-16

an understanding finally attained? Is
there any serious prospect whatever OF
reaching this aim by continuing the dis
cussion Of the peace problem In the way
hitherto followed:
We have not the courage TO answer
the latter question in the affirmative.
The discussion from one public tribune
to another. as has hitherto taken place
between statesmen OF the various coun-
tries. was really only a series Of mono
logues. II lacked above everything
directness. Speech and counter speech
did not At into each other. The speakers
spoke over one another's heads.
ION the other hand was the publicity
and the ground OF these discussions
which robbed them Of the possibility Of
fruitful progress. In all public state
ments Of this nature form of elo-
quence is used which reckons with the
effect at great distances and on the
masses. Consciously or unconsciously.
however. one thereby increases the dis
lance OF the opponents conception, pro-
duces MISUNDERSTANDING which take
root and are not removed and makes the
frank exchange OF ideas more difficult.
Every procurement OF leading states
men is, directly after Its delivery and
before the authoritative quarters OF the
opposite can reply TO II. made the sub
ject OF passionate or exaggerated dis
cussion OF irresponsible elements.
Premature Betrayal Feared.
But anxiety lest they should endan-
ger the interests of their arms by I'M
favorably influencing feeling at home
and lest they prematurely betray their
own ultimate intentions, also causes the
responsible statesmen themselves TO
strike a higher tone and stubbornly to
adhere to extreme standpoints.
III, therefore. an attempt Is made to
see whether the basis exists for an UNI
derstanding calculated to deliver Europe
| from the 'cata strophe OF the suicidal con-
t<inuation Of the struggle. then. In any
dase. another method should be chosen
which renders possible direct. verbal
| discussion between the representatives
OF the Governments. and only between
them. The opposing conceptions of In
dividual belligerent States would ike
wise have to form the subject OF such
| discussion. for mutual enlightenment.
! as well as the general principles that
shall serve as the basis for peace and
| the future relations Of the States TO one
another. and regarding which. In the
first place. AN accord can be sought with
a prospect OF success.
AS soon as an agreement were 'edSheu
on the fundamental p,ineip.es an
tempt ~ouia nave 70 DC n'aue -, Wv
course OF the olscussio,s co"oIoy "
apply them 10 iho'',uua' peaee au.so''
ana tnereoy or'ns ABOUT ,he, soIu.' ',,,
| we venture 10 nope ."s. .neie WI o
no objection on the par. Oh any peinss..
ents 10 such an ekchanse OF Niews. ine
war acuVities "oula e1per'ence no n
terruption' Inc oiscussiohs; too' Mou'u
only go 30 far as was cohsioereo py tne
participants 10 oner prospeci OF sue,
cess NO disadvahtsses "oulo aIIse
thereirom for the STATES rep.esehIea
Far from harming' such an exchahse OF
views could only De useful 10 the cause
OF peace
|
Hopes Antnsonisms May vanish.
"yba, d,d No, succeed the first time
can no rensated and nerhansli n has all
ready AT least contributed TO the clarIf,-
cation n, views Mountains Of old mis-
understa nd,nas might be removed and
many new things perceiyed. Streams OF
rant I'm human kindneSa would be re-
ieaaea IN the warmth OF which eyery-
thing essential would remain. and on the
other hand much that Ia anita onistic, to
which excessive Importance is still at
tr,buted would disappear.
| - :, =,