El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-09-16

provinces, or to reform Germany in
. ternally- It may also be considered
symptOmatic that in December, 1917.
Air. BalfOur categOrically repudiated
the assumption that British policy
had ever engaged itself for the crea-
ton Of an independent states out OF
the territories on the left bank Of
the Rhine.
War Of Defence.
THE central powers leave 10 in no
doubt that they are only Waging a
war Of defence for the integrity and
the security Of their territories
Far more outspokeu than in the
domain OF cretate war aims has the
IMPROVEMENT Of concessions pro-
ceeded regarding those guiding lines
upon the basis of which peace shall
be concluded and the future order Of
Europe and the world built Up. in
this direction. president Wilson, in
his speeches Of February i and
July 4. Of this year. has formulated
principles which have not encOun-
tered contradiction on the part Of his
allies and the FAR reaching applied
ton OF which is likely TO meet with
no objection on the part Of the pow
ers Of the quadruple alliance also,
presuppOsing that Ibis application is
general and reconcilable with the Vi
tai interests Of the states concerned
Desire for m Understanding.
ITO an unprejudiced observer. there
can be no doubt that in all the bel
ligerent states. without exception
the desire for a peace Of understand
ing has been enormously strength
ened; that the conviction is increas-
ingly spreading that the further con-
unuance OF the bloody struggle must
transform Europe into ruins and into
state Of exhaustion that VIII mar
its Development for decades-and this
without any guarantee OF thereby
Hn-f HnnTr~ thar decision nT~
which has been vainly striveu after
by both sides in four years filled
with enormous sacrifices, sufferings
and exertiOns-
I'm what manner. however. can the
way be paved for an understanding
and an understanding finally at
tained2 Is there any serious pros
pect whatever Of reaching this aim
by continuing the discussion Of the
peace problem in the way hitherto
we have not the courage to an
swer the latter question in the af-
firmative. The discussion from one
public tribune 10 another as has
hitherto taken place between states
men OF the various countries was
really only q series OF monolOgues. It
lacked. above everything. dlrectness-
Speech and counter speech die not
fit in 20 each other. The speakers
spoke over one another's heads
Speeches Are Not Sufficient.
"On the other hand was the pub
Lefty and the ground Of these discus
si0ns. which robbed them Of the pos
sibility Of fruitful progress In all
public statements Of this nature. q
form OF eloqueuce is used which
reckons with the effect at great dis
tances and on the masses Con-
sciously or sciously. however.
one thereby Increases the distance Of
the opponents conception, produces
Misunderstanding which take root
and are not removed. and makes the
frank exchange Of ideas more diff
cult Every pronouncement Of lead
ing statesmen. is directly after its
adversary and before the authorita-
tive quarters Of the opposite side can
reply 10 It, made the subject Of pas
sionate or exaggerated discussion Of
irresponsible elements
"But anxiety lest they should en-
danger the interests Of their arms by
unfavorably influencing feeling at
home and lest they prematurely be-
tray their own ultimate intentions,
also causes the responsible states
men themselves to strike a higher
tone and stubbornly 10 adhere TO eX-
IRENE standpOints.
IF therefore, an attempt IS made
to see whether the basis exists for
an understanding calculated to de-