Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-09

IN progress At Brcst Litorsk between
Russian representatives and rcprcscn-
the attention OF all the bclliscrcnts
has been invited for tho purpose of
aSecrtatning whether ii may be possible
TO extend these paricys into 4 general
conference with regard to terms OF
peace and settlement. The russian rep
rescntatires presented not only a per-
fectly definite statement of tho prin-
ciplcs upon which they would he will
ing to conclude peace. but also an
equally definite program of the con-
crete application of those principles.
The representatives OF tho CENTRAL DOW.
ers, OH their part. presented an out
line or settlement, which, il much less
definite. seemed susceptible of liberal
Interpretation until their specific pro-
gram of practical terms was added.
That program proposed no concessions
at all, either to the sovereignty OF
Russia or 10 tho preferences OF tho
populations with whose fortunes 1t
dealt, but meant. in Il word. that the
central empires wcrc to keep every foot
Of territory their armed forces had oc-
>'h'S' ~ pioN iiNCy CNCTS Guy.
every point OF vantssc-as a pcrma-
ncnt addition to their territories and
their power. Il Is a reasonable con-
lecture that the general principles OF
settlement which they at arnt suE-
scStcd originated with tho moro lib
cral statesmen OF Germany and Aus
tria. the men who have begun to feel
tho force OF their own peoples
Int and purpose, while the concrete
terms Of actual settlement came from
the military leaders, who have no
thousht but to keep what they have.
The negotiations have been broken off.
The Russian representatives were sin
ccrc and in earnest. They cannot en-
;ertatn such proposals OF conquest and
domination.
Who'll INCIDENT FILLED,
ALSO THERE'S PERPLExITY
The whole incident is fun OF signifi-
cameo. 1t Is also full Of pcrplcxity.
With whom arc tho Russian represent
~tativcs dealing" For whom arc tho
representatives Of tho central empires
speaking" Are they speaking for the
majorities OF their respective parlia-
ments or for the minority parties. that
military and mpcrialistic minority
which has SO far dominated their whole
policy and controlled the affairs OF
Turkey and OF the Balkan states which
have felt Obliged to become their as
sociatcs in this war" The Russian rep
rcscntatives nave insisted. very justly,
very wisely, and in tho true spirit Of
modern democracy. that tho confer
cnces they have been holding with the
Tcutonic and Turkish statesmen should
be held within open. not closed, doors,
and all tho world has been audience,
as WAS desired. To whom have VIC
been listening. then? To those who
speak tho spirit and intention OF the
resolutions OF tho German Rcichstas OF
tho 9th OF July last. the spirit and in
%tcntion of tho Liberal leaders and par
tics OF Germany. or to those who re-
sist and defy that spirit and intention
and insist upon conquest and subjusa-
lion" or arc We listening, in fact, to
both. unreconcilcd and in open and
hopeless contradiction: These arc very
serious and pregnant questions. Upon
the answer TO them depends the peace
of the world.
But. whatever tho results OF the par
lcys at Brcst Litoysk, whatever the
c%onfusions OF counsel and of purpose
in tho utterances OF tho spokesman OF
the central cmpires. they have again
attempted to acquaint the world with
their objects in tho war and have again
challenged their adversaries to sa,
what their objects are and what sort
OF settlement they would deem just
and satisfactory. There is no good rca-
son why that challenge should not be
responded TO, and responded to with
the utmost candor. We did not wait
{nr /. %nY anon hut o. n, nh o~ain
we nave laid our whole thought and
purpose before the world. not in gen
cral terms only. but each time with
sufficient definition to make it clear
what sort of definite terms of settle
lncnt must nece. sarily spring out OF
them. Within the last week. Mr.. Lloyd
George has spoken with admirable cam
dor aud in admirable spirit for the
people and government OF Great Brit
ain. There is no confusion Of counsel
among the adversaries of the central
powers. no uncertainty OF principle. no
vasueness of detail. The only secrecy
OF counsel. the only lack OF fearless
~frankness. the only failure to make
definite statement OF the objects OF this
war, lies with Germany and her allies.
The issues OF life and death hang upon
these definitions. No statesman who
has the least conception OF his respon-
sibi!ity ought for a ONE TO permit
himself TO continue this traEical and
appalling ou%tpourinE OF blood and
treasure unless he is sure beyond a per
adventure that the objects OF the vital
sacrifice are part and parcel OF the very
life OF society and that the people for
whom he speaks think them right and
imperative as he does.
VOICE IS CALLING FOR
DEFINITION OF PRINCIPLE,
There is, moreover, a voice calling
for these definitions OF principle and
OF rposc which IL, 1t seems TO me,
more thrilling and more compelling
than any OF the many moving voices
with which tho troubled air Of the
world is filled. 1t Is the voice OF the
Russian people. They are PROSTATE
and all but helpless. ii would seem
before he grim power OF Germany
which has hitherto known no relcntins
and no pity. Their power. apparently
is shattered. And yet their soul is moi