Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1918-10-25
WOODSTOCK, vIKsts =.
PEACE OFFER
As WAR TRAPS

Whatever the mask that covers
4 I'd makes specifically sati>-I
f.ctory the renewed attempt OF
the enemy to maneuver the United
States into peace negotiations. tfel
presumption is overwhelming that
the peace overtures are purely war
tactics. The German government
is the German military organization.
which dictates what the foreign Of
flee shall say or not say. The chan
cellor is still spokesman of the war
lord. and the war lord is dominated
by the keeper intellects and stronger
wills that guide the military ma
chine.
Every peace attack from this
time forth is sure to be a step to-
ward the real thing surrender
without conditions. But it is the
Insight of folly to assume that any
peace offer will be made in good
faith at this time which actually
contemplates the unconditionlasu r
render of the German armies in the
field. Let the word 60 out that
Germany has "capitulated." that the
emperor has abdicated. that there
is rieting in Berlin. and so on; all
these are but preludes to the real
thing, not the thing itself.
A prize fighter knowing in his
s,ul that he has met his superior
and feeling that he is losing strength.
will resort to every possible artifice
to avoid the knockout blow. Ger
many is a fighter who is not bound
BY any rules. and hence will use
aay strategem. however base. ifi.it
promises advantage. No inconsist-
ency. no shame. no reproach, no re-
gard for the future restraints the
riminals who are now driven to
desperation. They will betray the
German people without compunc-
ton if such course will help. TO
e :tricate the military organization
from its plight. They will promise
anything. in the hope that sui
seluent treachery may show then
how to violate all pledges. If the
allies demand guarantees, they will
give guarantees. as little as possible.
and always with the intention Of
wriggling out of all obligations.
The world may confidently look
specious demonstrations in Ger
many. invented for the purpose of
c ,nvincing the allied nations that
Germany has thrown off its yoke
Of Hohenzollernism and is actually
governed by the people. Tempting
peace offers will be made. ostensi-
bly, emanating from the people. but
in reality conceived and executed
by the military conspirators. One
Hohenzollern is as good as another
in this storm. There may be a
rapid succession of emperors, re-
gents and imperial councils.
The unconditional surrender of
the German army by its command
ing general is the only proof that
will convince the world that Ger
many honestly seeks peace for
peaces sake. When the white flag
goes up and representatives of the
German commander appear at Mar
shall Foch's headquarters to apply
for the terms upon which an armis-
tice will be granted with view to |
surrender. there will be an assurance
of peace. There is no reason to
assume that this act will be per-
formed until the German army IS
actually beaten. That point has not
yet been reached. It may be I
brought nearer. no doubt. by popu-
lar uprisings in Germany. where the
desire for peace is becoming more
genuine as defeat and invasie n
draw nigh. But all the lessons of
this war serve as a warning against
placing confidence in the presuml :.
ton that the German people do rot
and will not stand behind Their
army.
In considering the peace rumo,s
md proposals it is well to ask these
questions: Can peace come out f
Germany Must it not come from
he allies? Will not the perfidious
Toe. even after he surrenders uncon-
ditionally. commit abominable acts
against the allies and deliberately
rotate each engagement that he
:nters into. unless he is actually
,reveated by physical force? That !
5 what be has done in every COL
political and military situa-
ion. The Germans. in short. are I
ebels against truth and justice. so !
,corigibly and incurablv rebellious s
aat they must be overpowered and
hacked before they win desist
rom tbeig sets Of enmity nd 4
~ 49, Rnfmw - Z