Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-17
NO PEACE DISCUSSIONS YET
The Austrian government. in its

The Austrian government, in its latest peace note.
does not propose peace. or terms of peace, but merely
that the belligerent nations shall send representatives 60
a neutral point where they shall discuss peace, to the end
that a basis may be found for really formal peace nego-
tiations later on. The formal proposal is in substantial
ly the form outlined a few days earlier by Baron Burian>
Austrian foreign minister. 1t was received in the manner
which was inevitable.
1t would be folly for the Allies to countenance any
such move at this time. The only basis on which the
Allies can or will make peace is that described in the
phrase which has now become old, restoration, repara-
ton and guarantees Germany-for the whole thing
centers in Germany, her allies being merely her tools and
dupes-must be made to restore to its rightful owners
every foot Of land that she now occupies illegally. She
must be required to make such reputation as she can
for the evil she has done. And she must give such guar
antees for her future good behavior that the world will
be secure from further aggression on her part. Those
are the conditions, and Germany can have peace when
ever she desires it on those terms.
The acceptance Of these terms implies a state of
greater humility on the part Of the German authorities
son to suppose that the necessary frame of mind can be
induced by anything short of a tremendous beating. Ger
many must be whipped, and whipped we'll, and it is USE
less to pause in the operation to talk things over.
There is no reason to believe that this latest move
will occasion any surprise in Vienna. where the proposal
was made, or in Berlin, whence it emanated. Germany
has displayed a, singular inability to reach an understand
ing of the real sentiments Of other peoples. If 1t had
not been so she would not now be engaged in a war in
which she faces the certain destruction of all that her lead
ers have priced. But even Germans can not be so dense
as not to understand that no such, suggestion as is con-
tanned in the Austrian note will be considered by the Al
lied governments They know it all the time.
We may assume that the purpose of the note is not
to bring about peace negotiations at this time, but, first,
to impress on the German and Austrian people the con-
viction that their governments are earnestly striving for
peace, that the war which they are waging is truly a de-
fensive war, ad that 1t is therefore a matter of self
preservation for them to stand by their governments. A
further purpose undoubtedly is to impress public sen,i-
ment in the Allied countries. THE burden Of war is a
grievous one. War costs heavily in men and in money.
The people wish for peace. The rejection of this insin-
cere and impossible peace move will be followed by the
renewed activity of German agents in all the Allied coun-
tries, who will use it as a means toward creating dissat-
isfaction with the war and with the governments that
are in charge Of 1t. And out Of the state Of public feel
ing to the evident German purpose, such pressure from
the masses in one or all Of the entente countries as to
result in a peace by arrangement, or. failing in a general
move Of this kind. the conclusion Of a separate peace
with one Of the Allied powers.
The manifest need is that the nations which are up
holding the cause OF democracy throughout the worlt
shall stand pat and stick together.