New-York tribune., 1918-09-17

Nhe same time she was squeezing mill
IONS of dollars out of Russia
"Ths," the speaker went on. "was
for the wrongs Russia is supposed to
have done Germany. How can those
wrongs be compared with the devasta-
tion and ruin which Germany is wrcak-
ing ON Russia.
Regarding the question of colonies,
Secretary Balfour said
The colonies are one question on
which there is no misunderstanding.
We stand on one side and Germany on
the other"
The Foreign Secretary said he agreed
with the Austrian note when its au-
thors pointed out that the whole of
civilization was at stake and that the
prolongation of hostiities was risk
ing or sacrificing of great deal that
was really dear to everybody interest
ed IN the progress of mankind.
The terms of peace and war were so
tremendous and the calamtes imposed
by The continuation of hostilties so
overwhelming, he said, that he would
never treat with disrespecr any peace
proposal.
Referring to the lack of concerted of-
tort by the Central Powers, as empha-
sized by the Won Payer speech and the
Austrian note, the Foreign Secretary
pointed to the clumsiness of German
diplomacy.
The German,' he added, "excels in
direct, simple brutality, but when he
trles to dress in President Wilson's
clothes or tries to act as President
Wilson would act he is clumsy"
Won Payer Dodges Question
The Foreign Secretary continued:
on Payer made a long speech last
week, IN which he gave utterance to
words which we're perfectly explicit
and quite unmistakable. Take Belgium,
ior example. The phrase he used is a
intended t" mean that Germany feels
mat she really must restore Belgian
independence. She does not say what
Sne is gong to do TO restore Belgian
prosperity or that jndemnities are to
ne gwen to the country she wasted.
brutalized and ravaged
But 1t seems that if Belgium will
consent to make certain notifications
IN her internal arrangements she is to
be allowed to get back her indepen-
dence; Explicit though it be, it ex.
pncltly refuses that which we think
OBVIOUSLY Just -namelf, restoration Of
and indemnity to Belgium, which has
neen so monstrously treated
VIII koan
won Payer stated that the German
po"ndafles should remain intact, which.
or course, means that Germany viii
keep Alsace- Lorraine. How ara con-
1ersatlons going to set that wight ?
mere are no Observation-Disclosures be-
tween the belligerents on that score >,
W. Balfour recalled that Won Paycr
SAID the Brest and Bucharest treaties
should stand. and declared:
mere IS no misunderstanding there.
II is N black and white without cir.
cuin.spectlon or fine phrasing No dex-
lGally Ii Of dialogue is going to smooth
oln9,rences of that kind.
ne secretary said he could hardly
soon after the German government
through ITS Vice Chancellor, had so
ue'hltely lald down its policies on sub
Jer'S Whlch were uppermost in tho
minds l1 of all the bel1igercnts. He con-
slcerVo 1t one of the plaincst state
m'nts ever made by German dinlo-
mat, and eontendcd that IT made i'm
possible settlement BY conversations
Must Be OF Open Mind
Until the Central Powers are of
open mlnd and arc prepared to discuss
our views of what we believe TO he
right and Justice and for the uplift Of
clvlllzatlon," continued the Secretary
mere conversations for practical rc.
suits were useless"
lie said he could not help comparing
Won Payer's speech with the note and
wondering what was the Central idea
OF the culpability of the Allied peon]os
adding: "They evidently think they can
embltter whatever differences NAV
exist between the Alicds countries and
counteract tho present Allied successes
| on an fronts. ! cannot bring myself
TO believe that this is an honest at.
tempt at peace by understanding. But
! am driven to the opposite opinion
that 1t is an attempt to weaken the
forces IN the field, which are provino