The sun., 1918-07-05
GERMANY AT THE PEACE
TABLE.
A Problem Of International Negotia-
ton That Perplexes an American.


To THx EDITOR OF THE SuN--sIr: Or.
Won Kuehlmanns speech in tho Reichs-
tag. printed in THE SUN OF June rs. out
lining Germany's war and peace aims,
contains a number Of very reasonable
suggestions, but these suggestions raise
a question that has been In my, mind
for a long time. and l would be very
glad II some one would indicate briefly
what the attitude OF negotiators would
or could be in sitting down at table
with German representatives to ex-
change yiows. DIR. Won Kuehlmann says
that one of the preliminary conditions
Of n meeting of this kind must be "a
certain degree OF mutual confidence In
each others honesty and chivalry."
Nothing could be more just than this
suggestion, but what ] cannot under
stand is how H. Is possible to bring about
this essential preliminary condition"
We have been told repeatedly by Ger
man writer's, speakers, publlcists and
others that Germany has no regard for
treaties and would not consider herself
bound by any treaty that she might en-
tex into.
We know perfectly we'll that this 10
true, Independently OF any statements
that might be made on the point. 1t Is
only a few days aso that Count Bern
storff. l believe, told US that In any
negotiations that were undertaken Ger
many must BIO In position to get what
she wants by force II necessary Know
ing as we do that Germany has no re-
gard for treaties, and being assured Tin
advance by Germans themselves that
this Is the German attitude, how would
il be practically possible to conduct
negotiation with Germany?
1t seems to me that the negotiators.
like Roman Augurs. would have to laugh
in one anothers faces. The farcical
treaty with Russia !s fresh In every
body's mind. Belgium Is more tragic
example. Bernstorff's preliminary con-
dition that Germany must be In a posi-
ton to obtain what she wants by force
in any negotiations that are to be under
taken makes Won kuehlmann's prelim-
mary condition OF mutual confidence in
each others honesty and chivalry" ride
uYus,
In view Of Germany's further declara-
ton that she would not regard herself
az bound by any treaty, and In further
view OF German history and OF Der
many's action in Belgium and Russia.
would 4, be possible for Germany to
create q condition in which negotiators
might sit down around a table with some
semblance OF seriousness? l can under
stand that at some stage Of the war ne
xain harnn1a pAcaRsAry. ThlS
simply means that the beaten party will
endeavor to get as favorable terms as
may be possible. What I would like to
know Ia whether 1t would be possible.
even theoretically. to hold a conference
such as Is suggested by DR.. Won kuehl-
mann.
Considering that DR.. Won Kuehlmann's
statements are In the abstract perfectly
reason able, do the conditions admit OF
any practical impeachment Of the coun-
tries at war? l am unable to conceive
OF any ground or method upon or by
which there could be such a rapproche-
ment.
One penalty of Germany's philosophy
Of lying. treachery and deceit is that 1t
is impossible TO place any reliance upon
anything that comes out of Germany.
Still, considering that Or. Won Kuehl-
mann's statements are reasonable in
themselves and would be entitled to con-
aideratlon II made by any one but a
German. is there aAy possible way by
which they might be accepted and acted
upon in the sense implied by the Ger
man Foreign Secretary?
c. G. HoRNoR.
GUTHRIE, Okla. June IS.