New-York tribune., 1918-05-17

George government will benefit greatly
as result.
Mr.. Balfour voiced the conclusion Of
the Foreign Affairs Committee of the
French Chamber of Deputies that EN-
peror Charles's letter did not form the
basis for an honorable peace. He ex-
planned that its contents were not con-
veyed to President Wilson year ago.
because the Emperor stipulated that
BRAND. King George and Premier
Lloyd George should be informed Of
his offer.
Later when the Stockholm confer
ence question arose, Mr.. Balfour said
that the Emperor's letter did not in
fuence it's decision. Mr.. Asquith, who
is supporter of the peace by ncgotia-
tlon policy, was quick to sense what
he conceived to be change in the
governments attitude. He followed
Balfour Immediately with speech ex-
pressing satisfaction and congratula-
tion.
Committed to Wilson Policy
The Lloyd George government is
now definitely committed to President
Wilson's policy, which calls for "force
with the proviso that any honest
enemy advance will be met half way.
1t means that the Lloyd George gov
crnment has not abandoned it's will to
war, but that it will not wave aside
any honest offer.
This policy should have profound
effect upon the course of the war and
the negotiations preceding peace. 1t
means tina. secret negotiations will have
no chance in the future. 1t means that
Parliament will have a greater voice
in the control Of peace negotiations
1t means that the Junkers and German
militarists have been thrown on the
defensive. 1T means that the liberal
and moderate forces of the Central
Powers will have stronger weapo +:
to use against the Pan-Germans and
the imperialists.
Peace Depends on Foe
Whether this will hasten peace de-
pends entirely upon the strength OF
the moderate forces in the enemy coun-
tries. Certainly it will not prolong
hostilities.
Nothing but good can come out of
the debate. Important as is Balfour's
utterance, the broad question of his
! toward Alsace- Lorraine is hardly less
vital to any consideration of peace
Britain, he said, had never given en-
couragement to the suggestion that she
was fighting for the Alsace- Lorraine
of 1890 and 1914. Nor was it any fixed
or solid Fart of the French govern
ment's policy, he said
Henceforth the Lloyd George gov
ernment will hardly be the target Of as
many parliamentary sharpshooters
among the pacifists as has been the
case hitherto
The German militarists can get little
encouragement from the debate. lit is
believed for that reason that there
will be no change in their military
! plans. Great battles will be fought in
the days to come and much blood and
treasure is yet to be sacrificed.
Peace Time Not Yet Ripe
The moment for the exchange of
peace overtures has not yet arrived
! Lord Curzon in a speech to the foreign
/ press dwelt upon the subject of peace
He said that there are three conditions
/ for which the Allies are fighting, and
that they are (1) just peace, ca an
honorable peace, (3) peace which in
sures the security of the world for
! generations to come from the horrors
of Germany's devastating war.
The full significance Of the utter.
ances from leading ministers is hardly
! apparent now, but future developments
/ will emphasize the Importance of to.
days pronouncement 81 policy. Usual;
peace debates have resulted disastrous
ly to the advocates, because they have
been held up to ridiculc. To-day the
government increased notably il
strength.