New-York tribune., 1918-02-13
By P. w. Wilson,
OF The London Daily Ne1UG


The Presidents message discoses a
situation of profound diplomatic ,mpcr-
tance and some complexity. While this
country is united with the European
Allies by the closest military, naval
and economic cooperation, it is PLAIN
that Mr. Wilson retains unimpaired his
liberty of negotiation. To that ex-
tent America, while involved in Eu-
ropean war, preserves use Brit
ish phrase-her splendid isolation.
Mondays message shows clearly what,
indeed. had been generally assumed in
we'll informed quarters. that the Presi-
dent and Mr.. Lansing were in no way
responsible for, nor were consulted in
respect of, the recent statement issued
by the War Council at Versailles. by
which the speeches OF Won Hertling and
Czernin were associated together in one
condemnation. General Bliss attends
the war council as military adviser
only. and has no authorization to act
as lenipotentary on political matters,
the view held at Washington being. if
| understand it rightly. that the way
council exists solely in order to bring
military pressure to bear upon the
enemy. This also is what was under
stood BY the British House of Com
mons, where, I should imagine, impor-
tant discussions are likely.
The distinction between the Presi-
dents message and the Versailles
brief rejoindcr is simple and funda-
mental. The message admits what the
rejonder denied namely, a difference
in tone between the attitude of Berlin
and the attitude of Vienna. If Mr..
/ Wilson can drive a wedge between the
Central Powers and isolate not only
Germany but the autocratic party in
Germany he Will do big thing, we'll
worth d great attempt. But public
opinion must assist him in two ways.
First, it must not be imagined for one
moment that his approach to Austria
Hungary relieves the country, yours
or mine, of the necessity for the stern
est effort. The war with German is
the real thing, and, in your case as in
ours, hostilitics with AUSTRIA Hungary
were only regrettable corollary.
Secondly, we must bear in mind that
the case as it appears to US is not the
case as it appears to Italy. To the
Italians, Austria is the chief enemy
and not Germany. Indeed, it is at
least fair assumption that at Yer
sailles Italian influence inspired the
fat refusal of the European powers
TO discuss the two pronouncements
made by the Central Powers. The
Trentino is to Italy what Alsace- Lor.
rane is to France, and it is an oper
secret that the Trcntino does not ex-
haust the territorial aspirations en-
tertained at Rome.
"Who Held Up Message?"
The message to Congress definitely
dlsposes of the myth that Count Ger
nln's speech was received by the Pres
dent in advance. The astonishing thing
about this significant detail is the fac
that the pan Germans, by their parox
ysms of rage, showed unmistakabl.
that they actually believed Coun
CZernn's declaration on the subjec
If, then. AUSTRIA Hungary did reall,
desire to communicate direct will
Washington, and if Washington hear,
! nothing direct, one must inquire VIII
! held up the call on the internationa
their old game of garbling telegram
and mutilating dispatches? The ques
> ton is. the more pertinent because ther
! has been doubt as to what Count Ger
min actually said. The revised an
, presumably accurate version is inter
K preted by the President as shown
r that AustriaH Hungary agrees with tn
Allies over Belgium. and even owe
i Poland. That latter agreement owe
a Poland is most dramatic. and one ca
only hope that it be confirmed. F'c
! what does it mean? Briefly, the SUI
render of Gallcia by Austria and {
+ Posen by Prussia, and also of Dantzi
on the Baltic. Galicia may not worr
/ the Germans Of Vienna very much, fe
+ the reduction of nonTeutonic repr,
sentation in the Reichsrath rathe
. helps the Teutons who remain ther
: But for Prussia the alienation of Dan
h zig is very much more serious matte
+ Not only does this port cut off Lithuani
n with Riga and its large German pop
\ lation. but igsborg-the Mecca
: junker cnivalry. and the place whel
{ the first King of Prussia was crownt
a also goes. Yet the President. in
message otherwise confined to gener
e terms, says that Poland must De CO.
i, ceded." Such concession would be Il
s end of Gcrmany's dreams of CONNIE
! cial penetration through distint
t grated Russia.
+ Momentous as are President Wilson