South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-18
Other Editors Than Ours
Is GERMANY SINCERE IN HER PEACE DRIVES"
philadelphia Public Ledgcr)

Are quite that understand Germany?
indoor sports explaining
Germany 10 each other. We have collected a in
teresting variety theories what Germany really
wants and what she is ready do get it, From the
outset the western allies have been inclined to
hatter themselves with the comforting theory that
Germany MORALLY afraid Of them; that all her
hopes Of gain pinned the east and that she
would be only glad at time to buy the west OF
with generous concessions.
One by-product of this theory that not at
surprised catch sight upon horizon
erous German peace drives" directed at the
allies We tC have anything like TO name II we
will only abandon disraught Russia and disarmed Rou-
mania and the gorgeous east, far and to the
German wolves. OF course. have intention Of
succuInbing the temptation We will desert the
helpless Russian people who have been showing us so
strikinsy how TO make democracy unsafe Tor every
body. We will fight for princple'-though con-
fess to msgvings equal resolution the part
OF certain elements among our friends We VIII not Ouy
our escape from the German menace at the eX-
Of temporarily helpless brethren in the east
But quite that It is for sale?
Let Is look little closely at these German
lures OF compromise Cancellation toward the
When do they usually appear? Well one has just been
SEEN and il occurred at moment when the slaughter
of German soldiers the western front had reached
appalling proportions, and yet the high command had
ask the German people 70 stand steady and let the
terrible massacre continue we may well imagine th'
the morale OF the German civilian world wavered.
What is it all for? they might very humanity ask In
spite OF boosted German victories whose importance j.
is idle to discount the German socialsts-that baro-
meter Of home opinon-shuddered openly at the
butchers bill and roCndly declared that no expansion
in Russia could possibly be worth it.
Then the latest German peace drive. That is,
Germany unoically reported to have offered. un-
officially. very favorable TO the western allies
which the allies at rejected. THERE"
says the German military party 70 their mourning peo
pie. ":hey won't make peace with matter what
offer They want TO drive us over the Rhine and
peace POtsdam-as did from Versailles
We fight in selfdefense, and vigorous often
sive s the best defensive"
Doesn't this suggest a possibility that these peace
drives may be meant for home consumption? They
invariably come at moment when the morale of the
German people needs stihening long winter give
hres'des time 10 count their dead-and
their living-a peace kite goes gayly UP
Does doubt creep into the German mind TO the wis
@ expansion OF Prussian imperialistic
policy such as the systematic crushing of Serbia
ruthless dismen berment OF Russia offer Is
made o the by some shady road Of rumor and
German opinion is again steadied by the indignant
fusals eicits. Austria hungry and rebelous
C2ernin makes peace speech and there is nothing
lei % rebel against.
could the western allies get these sug-
if they were foolish enough to snatch at
the bait?
many would be very willing accept armistice
her western front with armies in possession Of
Belgium Industrial regions OF northern France
with mines the coal mines and the factories
still working for the Fatherland; with military ad
vantage gained during the abandoned-while she
silently penetrated permeated and prepared 10 exploit
porous and anonymous Russia If she could persuade
the mark time while she entrenched herself
In the east by peaceful police methods there is no
reason as Lord Robert Cecil said the other day. why
she should not then night the whole world forever.
This the west could get any time-a magnificent
opportunity commit suicide But on tolerable
terms is a horse Of another color