The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1918-01-17
ARE THERE PROSPECTS OF
NEGOTIATED PEACE

consideration OF the great wrong
Of 1871, when without regard to
the wishes OF the population, two
French provinces were torn FROM
the side OF France and Incorporate
cd in the German empire
This is a vital passage in the
speech of Lloyd George, outlining
the terms of peace on behalf of
England and in reply to Ger
many's terms delivered by her
spokesman before the conference at
Brest Litovsk.
The word reconsideration
rather than restitution" with re-
ference to Alsace-Lorraine is most
significant. 1t is fair to assume
that Lloyd George did not use this
word without advising with tn"
French government.
There are these further conccs-
sive items: Britain. he insisted,
was fighting Not for the destru.
elton or disruption of Nermany:
Austria-Hungary or Turkey; "Not
merely to alter or destroy the i'm
perial constitution of Germany
'Not to take Turkey S capital city,
Constantinople. or her possessions
that are predominantly Turkish.
And as to Germany African
colonies, there is also to be recon-
sideration. England weakens on
the proposition to retain them.
1t is pointed out that the word
reconsideration as respects
Alsace and Lorraine might mean
that the future of these provinces
is to be left to a referendum of the
inhabitants; or it might mean a
parley between France and Ger.
many as to whether the German :
would restore Alsace- Lorraine in
exchange for some French colonies
The things above all to be
sought in a peace treaty, accord
ing to Lloyd-George. are:
First: The sanctity of the
treaty mast be established.
"Second: There must be terri.
torial settlements based on consen,
of those governed.
"Third and lastly, there must
be created some international or
ganization to limit the burden Of
ornaments and diminish the
probability of war;"
If there is not here presented 2
working scheme for a peace con-
ference (Which NAV or may not be
the intention(. the speech will Ger.
tanly accomplish something along
these lines:
l. Strengthen the position of
the allies with the Russians and
bolster their resistance to all i'm
posed German peace.
2. Predisposc war-wcary Turk.
ey to welcome peace.
3. Greatly affect public op;rion
in Austria Hungary.
4. Re-invigerate the peace par
tv in Germany and isolate the pan
Germans.
On the other hand, the canon
f1age Of bellicosity with which
lloyd George surrounds his con.
cessive program may incline the
pan-German party to reason that
England is weakening-that she
fears the coming offensive on the
western front. But again. the
Kaiser may feel that there is her,
a withdraw of that uncompromis-
ing attitude Of President Wilson
as expressed in his war message
last April that we cannot treat
with Germany until she dethronva
the kaiscr-a view Of the situation
that would practically bar negot
lated peace; and with that condi-
ton removed. the Kaiser might feel
the more ready to proceed with
the negotiations.
President Wilson s address be.
fore congress last week is in sub
stantial agreement with the views;
OF Lloyd-George, and apparently.
prompted by some concert of OBJ.
ject.
1t seems to the writer that a vast
stride toward peace has been taken.
Still it is absolute wisdom not to
abate but rather to speed up every
energy Of the nation toward win.
ming the war.
CIIEpAfA ~ WAC nvorvr