Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-08

We not fighting to destroy the Ger
man constitution, although we consider a
military, autocradc constitution dangerous
anschrOnism. Our viewpoint is that the adop-
ton of democratic constitution by Germany
would be the most convincing evidence that
her old spirit of military domination had in
deed died in this war. and it would make it
much easier for to conclude broad, demo-
cratic peace with her. But that is a question
for the German people to decide
That is the voice OF true democracy applying
the principle of popular government in interna-
tional we'll national affairs. 1t is the broad
visiOned. common-senSe democracy which sees that
it would be undemocratic well as futile to at
tempt to force democracy upon any people. II
there are any elements of liberalism whatsoever
in the German public mind they cannot escape
being impressed and deeply moved by the Prime
Minister'S declaration on this point
And if this leaven once gets fairly work,
Prussian autocracy will be fated amongst its own
subjects as surely as it will be doomed on the
battlefield if the Allies fight resolutely to the finish
The greatest and most durable diplomatic victory
which the Entente Powers and America could win
would be to thwart the HohenzolIerns at their
game and within their own precincts; that is, to
convince the German people that they are not
fighting to save their Fatheriand from ruthless
enemies bent upon tearing it limb from limb
but in reality fighting ITO save the pride ano
further the schemes of a faithless, souess autoc-
racy. Tt is too much to except that any utterance
from England or America France could sue
coed entirely in this purpose, but there is good
reason to hope that statement like this from the
British Prime Minister, along with President Will
sons repeated assurances to the same effect will
Undue the German public mind with ideas OF mo-
mentous consequence Certainly, while the Ber-
lin tricksters are seeking defraud Russia and to
break down the morale of the Allied peoples by all
manner of falsites it is the part OF good policy
and good faith for Allied diplomacy to meet these
maneuvers with vigorous drive of the truth
But if Lloyd George is at pains to assure the
masses in Russia and the Central Empires, and in
deed in all nations, his included, that the
Allies are not waging Of selfish aggression,
he is equally emphatic in reaffirmng their iron re-
solve not to lay down until the justice and
freedom for which they fight indicated and
made secure. This in fact, is the shaft of the
diplomatic spear which he so skiIfully Yields. This
il is that gives weight and force to what he says
by way of assurance and suggestion to the Ger
man people. No within the enemy's lines can
reasonably infer that any of the countries on whose
behalf Lloyd George speaks has the renotest
thought of compromising the essential principles
for which they entered the What he says in
this connection is what the responsible spokesman
of the Entente and Of America have said from the
beginning. First Of all there must be complete
restoration, political, territorial and economic OF
the independence of Belgium and such reparation
as can be made for the devastation of its towns
and provinces" Reparation, the Prime Minister
significantly remarks means recognition; that
is to say recognition the part of Germany of the
wrong that was done when Belgiums neutrality,
guaranteed as it by solemn covenants to which
Germany was a party, was violated and Belgian
soil ruthIessIy invaded. UNLESS international
right is recognized by nsistence payment for in
jury done in defiance of its csnnons," he rightly
argues, lit never be reality"
Pursuance of this same principle demands the
restoration of Serbia Montenegro and the occupied
parts of France, Italy and Rumania. 1.-The COM
pete withdrawal of alien armies and reparation for
injustice done is the fundamental condition of per-
manent peace" OF particularly high and stirring
import is the declaration,
I'VE mean to stand by the French democ-
racy to the death in the demand they make
for a reconsideration of the great wrong of
II when Alsace-Lorraine was torn away This
sore has poisoned the pores of Europe for
half century, and until cured, healthy con-
ditions cannot be restored
There is a good deal of speculation as to just
what Lloyd George means by Reconsideration. In
some opinions it carries a suggestion of compro-
mise but as we see II, THIS phrase, evidently
chosen with and after due counseling with
French authorities, is in wise token of weak
compromise but rather of sound, practical judg-
ment. Reconsideration" is an elastic phrase, but
than the language French statesmen
themselves frequently have used in the same
nection. Furthermore the major significance of
the British leaders declaration is, 1--WE mean to
stand by the French democracy TO THE DEATH
in the demand which THEY make for reconsidera-
tion of the great wrong Of IL" We take it that
he means precisely what he says, and that the
sentiment of America is solidly with France and
England.
As for other territorial readjustments, Lloyd
George holds that they should be based the
just and truly expedient principle of sef-determi-
nation, the consent of the governed" This, it
will be observed. is the principle laid down by
President Wilson in his memorable address to the
Senate year ago and reiterated in several of his
subsequent statements. 1t is the principle to