New-York tribune., 1918-01-06

peace Of the German sort and four more
years of war. Why is it that when
the Germans utter fair words covering
foul purposes there are people who are
still willing to listen? When, since the
war began, have the Germans uttered any
but fair words, and when have their
actions been anything but foul? The men
who ordered the invasion of Belgium, after
having forced the world into war, arc still
in control and they still mean to have their
profit. They still mean to create new
Alsace-Lorraines, they still mean to erect
German Empire to preserve which will
require Germany to remain in arms and
against which, for safety, the whole world
will have to stand to arms.
The Russian experience discloscs the
German government once more as dom;
mated by the same men and inspired by
the same ideas as in 1914. The same will
to conquer the same purpose to cnslave-
these are written into the proposals of
brest-litovsk with clarity which per-
mlts OF no mistaking. TO make peace with
this gang, no matter what principles they
proclaim, in the face of their practice,
notorious the world over is to surrender
rot alone honor, but safety. President
impossible to make peace with those now
IN control Of Germany acquires new and
impressive force in the face of the newest
sef-revelation Of the German rulers.
We have had nearly four Years of ey-
perience with the German. Collectively.
the German people have committed the
most terrible crimes which history records
to the shame of any great people lndi-
vidually their offenses have been eouallv
abhorrent. They have massacred hun
dreds and they have murdered individuals.
They have burned cities and thew have
found time to detile and wreck the home of
the smallest peasant in an invaded dis
trlct. They have plotted against the peace
and security of neutral nations. which
have received them as welcome guests. No
intrigue has been too base, no crime too
terrible or too vile for the German at
home and abroad in the last terrible wears
And now the same old gang is at the
same old game in Russia. and the game
and the gang have been revealed. lust as
hey have been revealed a thousand times
before since the war came. With sncb
people how can there be peace? Does the
picture Of tiger standing with bloody
Jaws over the PROSTATE victim inspire be-
lef IN the essential kindness and humani-
-arlan purpose Of the tiger? But this is
he position in which the world now sees
he German tiger astride unhappy Rus
ala. And to the credit of the tiger. il
night be said that the animal never nre-
ends to be a friend of the man he means
o murder. Can enc say this of the Ger
mans
No, it is not yet possible to make peace
With Germany; nor will it ever be while
lermany is controlled by the present rul-
rs and committed to the present policies
The world must go back to the trenches
he war must continue until the German ,
people in their agony, if not for anv no. !
'ler motive, cast off the yoke of those
Who now lead them and renounce the no]i-
les of crime and violence to which Cer- !
many is now committed. The Germany Of !
5rest-LitovslS is the Germany of Louvajn.
ierman necessity knows no law in the ,
5altlc provinces rs it knew ne law in Bel
glum. 1t may take one year or five to
'rove TO the German people that the world
annot be conquered by them, but for the
world there is no choice; of this the Rus :,
ian experience is the final proof t
,
a Lincoln" Compromise
The vicepresident of the National I,
i