The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1918-10-18
PEACE OFFERS AS WAR TRAPS.

ciay satisfactory the renewed attempt of the enemy
to the United States into peace negotiations
the presumption is overwhelming that the peace over
ment is the German military organization, which die
tates what the foreign Office shall say or not say The
chancellor still the spokesman of the war lord and
the war lord is dominated by the keener nteects and
stronger wills that guide the military machine.
Every peace attack from this time forth is sure to
be step toward the real thngsurrender without con-
dons But it is the height of folly to assume that any
peace offer will be made in good faith at this time which
actually contempates the unconditional surrender of
the German armies in the field Let the word 90 out that
Germany has "capitulated that the emperor has abd
Gated, that there riong in Berlin and so on all these
are but preludes to the real thing not the thing itself
prize fighter knowing in his soul that he has met
his superior and feeling that he is losing strength will
resort to every possible artice to avoid the knockout
blow. Germany is fighter who is not bound by any
rules and hence will any strategem however base
if it promises advantage. No inconsistency no shame
no reproach, regard for the future restrains the
criminals who are now driven to desperation They will
betray the German people without conjunction if such
will help to extrcate the military organization
from its plight They will promise anything in the hope
that subsequent reachery may show them how to violate
all pledges. If the allies demand guarantees they will
give guarantees, as little possible, and always with
the intention Of wriggling out of all obligations.
The world may confidently look for specious demon
stratons in Germany invented for the purpose of con-
vncng the allied nations that Germany has thrown off
its yoke of Hohenzollernsm and lis actually governed
by the people. Tempting peace offers will be made os-
tensbly emanatng from the people, but in reality con-
ceved and executed by the military conspirators One
Hohenzoern is good another in this Storm There
may be rapid succession of empero, regents and i'm
perial councils.
The unconditional surrender of the German army
by its commanding general is the only proof that will
convince the world that Germany honestly seels peace
for peaces sake. When the white flag goes up and rep
resentatves of the German commander appear at Mar
shall Fochs headquarters to apply for the te ms 1po
which armistce will be granted with view to sur
render there will be Of peace There is
no reason to assume that this act will be performed
until the German army is actually beaten. That point
has not yet been reached 1t may be brought nearer
doubt by popular uprsngs in Germany, where the de-
sire for peace becoming more genuine as defeat and
invasion draw nigh But all the lessons Of this war
serve as warning against placing confidence in the
presumption that the German people do not and will
not stand behind their army
In considering the peace and proposals it is
we'll to ask these questions: Can peace come out Of
Germany? Must it not come from the allies? Will
not the perfdou foe even after he surrenders uncon
dtonally, commit abomnabe acts against the allies and
deliberately violate each engagement that he enters into
unless he is actually prevented by physical force? That
is what he has done in every conceivable political
military situation The Germans, in short, are rebels
rebellious that they must be overpower and shacked
before they will desst from their acts of enmity and
treachery After desistng from the acts they are as
rebellious in spirit as before
These people are worshppers of brute force. The
faith in brute force established as religion by Frederick
William, Frederick the Great, Bismarck and their sue
cessOrs will not pass away until the brute force which
sustains that faith has been shattered scattered anC
brought to death-Washington Post
Eight million pounds of T. N T. were saved from