The Washington herald., 1918-02-16
PEACE ISSUE
GAINS FAVOR
WITH ALLIES
Statements of Aims Develop
Spirit of Moderation
Among Belligerents.
BY ARTHUR s. DRAPER.
Special Cable to The Washington
Herald and New York Tribune.

Herald and New York Tribune.
London, Feb. 15.-Just what the net
result Of the acrimonious debate in
Parliament this week will be 1t is
dificult to predict Though it re-
volved around the Lloyd George gov
ernment in rather a local way. the
subjects which brought about the ar
guments are of vital interest to Amer
lea because of their bearing on the
war.
Local differences Of opinion matter
little to Americans, but involved in
this political battle is the great ques-
ton whether the allies are making
full use Of diplomacy in waging war.
PacIfsts More Numerous.
An impartial Judge of the debates
must come to the conclusion that the
pacifists-those who would make peace
on practically any terms so long as
they bring an end to the bloodshed-
and the moderates-those who be-
lieve the present allied policy leaves
something to be desired in the way of
making use Of the diplomatic often
sive-have increased tremendously
and now include many representatives
OF all political parties and of all
stations in life, also that President
Wilson has become the acknowledged
spokesman for the allied moderates.
That the question of military leader
ship will probably be settled shortly
by compromise and that a temporary
political truce Is also probable.
Now that the government under
stands thai ASquith's challenge was
on a matter Of policy, rather than of
personality. more information about
the Versailles conference undoubtedly
will be made public. The bulk of par
Lament and the bulk Of the country
Is infinitely more interested in the
plans for winning the war than in the
leaders.
To Americans. the chief interest in
the debate lies in the support it will
give to President Wilson's policy and
the criticism, mild though it may be,
Of his moderate tone. 1t will be moth
ing but good for Americans to recog-
nize the fact that Wilson's views are
not shared in all quarters on this side.
Whether he will gradually change his
course or whether certain British
ledueTS VIII swing toward MS point
of view or whether the President and
those who disagree with his policy
will eventually meet half way, time
alone will tell
Wilson Views Popular.
No one can dispute the fact that the
prolongation of the war has made fer
moderation in all classes. 1t is a mis-
take tointerpret the spirit of modera-
ton as weakness in waging war The
masses want a victorious peace as
much as ever, but they want 10 feel
assured that every effort is being
made not only by their soldiers, but
by their diplomats to get it at the
earliest possible moment. They want
a clean peace; they want to be sure
that they are fighting for the same
principles for which they entered the
war
The Wilson enthusiasts are growing
in number because the President has
set forth their views With a clarity
understandable everywhere. They ac-
cept his policy because they know that
his moderation is backed with mill
tary force, Just as is theirs.
Almost on every side favorable COM
ment on the Presidents latest speech
continues to be heard, in labor circles
it has the fullest Endorsement.