The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-02-16
How Peace Will Come
Only two methods lead to peace.

We must wed ourselves to the theory of peace
by victory.
The paeifist argues for Trotzky peace. The
essential principles involved in this gigantic con-
flict are secondary considerations in his theory
for he has subordinated everything to a false de-
sire for speedy cessation of hostilities attained
by any method.
His theory overlooks the very important fac
tor that no permanent peace will have been at
tanned until the causes of this war are removed.
If the Entente powers would conclude peace
tomorrow in the Trotzky manner, the causes of
war-tremendous ornaments, secret treaties,
clandestine arrangements of dynasties to barter
peoples as if they were mere chattels-would still
remain to provoke hostilities and cause unrest.
A Trotzky peace between the Entente and
her associates and Germany would be calamity.
All the suffering of the last three years would
have been in vain.
There is only one effective form of peace and
that is victory for the Entente powers. That is
the form of peace that must be uppermost in our
minds.
That peace must be won on the field of battle
unless Germany sues for peace and is willing to
accept the principles for which the Entente are
fighting.
The Chicago Tribune editorally discusses this
form Of peace, pointing out that Germany's de-
termined declarations not to act the principles
which President Wilson declares essential make
it absolutely necessary for the United States to
hurry its military preparations with utmost
speed.
Russia's detection must be overbalanced by
the power we can throw on the sides of the Allies.
The American people must abandon all hopes
of a Trotzky peace. The fate of our republic de-
ponds upon the success of our arms.
Fight to win" can be our only slogan. Our
determination to win must transcend every other
thought.
The editorial of the Chicago Tribune is ap-
pended for careful study:
The refusal of Germany to propose peace
terms which can be considered by the allies or to
consider terms which are proposed by the allies is
the applicable result Of German confidence and
must find it's counter in American determina-
ton.
We do not emphasize American determine
ton as the sole reliance of the against Ger
many. The proportions are well maintained in
sane American thought, but the situation has
been subject to seemingly inevitable progress
ion which has changed position, in spite of
policies and intents, from of complete aloof-
ness to one of complete participation.
We even occupied, once, the position of being
of important but incidental aid to the cause
against Germany and possibly the psychology of !
that position has residue in hope when it has
been destroyed in purpose and plan.
The necessity is for complete mobilization of
every resource and any hope that there will be
last hour contraction of the demands upon the
United States is misleading. 1t cannot be enter
tanned. The situation will not permit it.
Conditions in the east of Europe are consis-
tent with German needs and hopes. The war is
ended there with the exception of such diversion
as Roumania may be able to make, for the length
of time it may be able and willing to make it,
The revictuang of Germany is question of
Russian transport. In troops and supplies the
central alliance is stronger
This regained strength is represented in the
preparations for the great attack upon the
French and British which is awaited with con-
fidence but without minimizing it's possibilities
and its great dangers. The cause against Ger
many has completely lost what was once the
great Russian power and it has not gained COM
pletely what will be the great American power.
It is movement of readjustment when a
foreseen loss has been experienced and fore
seen gain has not been realized. The damage is I
done; the benefit not realized
The only prospect the United States can af-
ford to take into calculation is one which offers
peace by victory. The only peace which the i
United States can afford to allow its thoughts to