Evening star., 1918-07-13
Germany and Peace Terms.

Noii 10 hNPoAsSN
to have stated before the German
reiehstag that there is the closest union
between the political leaders of Ger
many and German army headquarters
regarding their readiness to receive
peace proposals from the allies, if they
are offered seriously. The chancellor
said further that Germany's foreign
policy was laid down in the reply to
the papal peace note. The recent ut
terances of President Wilson and For
eign Secretary Balfour. he said, forced
Germany to continue the struggle.
The reference to Germany's reply
to the Pope's peace note shows that
Germany is not ready to state any
terms other than the most general, as
a basis for peace. Not that it matters,
particularly, for if Germany's terms
were stated specifically they would
doubtless be wholly unacceptable. But
it is interesting to note in recollec-
ton that the German reply to the
Pope's peace note, delivered Hast Sep
tember. was the least satisfactory, be-
cause the least explicit, of any of the
so-called peace ntterances emanating
from Berlin. 1t was a meaningless
rhetorical defamation. Disclaiming
Responsibility for the world catastrophe
and expressing adherence for the uni
versal suffering that it entails, it failed
bitterly to make mention of restorations
cf territory or reparations for injuries
bnf1ieted. 1t did not even by inference
Flecept the somewhat specific proposals
nf the Pope. 1t declared for the stimuli
taneous diminution of the armed
Forces of all the states and the insti-
ntion of obligatory arbitration for in
ernational disputes. 1t bespoke free
iom on the high seas With disgusting
Hypocrisy it urged that mo people has
more reason than the German people
o wish that instead of universal hatred
bnd battle eonciliatory fraternal
Epirit should prevail between nations"
Reference to the German reply to
he Pope's peace note, therefore, does
pot help to an understanding of what
Eiermany's real purpose or peace plan
|nay be. 1t is obviously a marking 6f
kime, pending military events, doubt
less in the hope of the accomplishment
bf victory in some measure in the
eld. By implication the German chan
Eellor invites the allied powers to Of
fer proposals and promises to receive
hem, If they manifest serious de-
ire for peace.
The allies peace terms have been
Ftated, specifically, definitely and
inally. Their latest expression was
n the form of the Presidents address
o Congress on the sth of January last
Dur objects in the war were stated
lnder fourteen heads, as follows:
ppen covenants of peace, with no
ecret diplomacy; freedom of navi-
Eation in peace and in war; the re-
novai of economic barriers and estab-
ishment of equality of trade condi-
ions; adequate guarantees for the re-
iuction of national ornaments to the
owest point consistent with domestic
afety; adjustment Of all colonial
laims on the principle Of the inter
SITS Of the population concerned weigh
ng equally with the equitable claims
Il the government whose title is in
question; evacuation of all Russian
erritory with an opportunity for her
nhampered Independent determina-
ion of her own political development;
vacuation and restoration of Belgium
Fith no limitation of sovereignty;
estoration of all French territory and
he righting of the wrong done to
france by Prussia in 1871 in the mat
er of Alsace-Lorraine; a readjust-
hent of the frontiers of Italy, along
ines of nationality; grant to the peo-
lie of Austria Hungary of the freest
opportunity of autonomous develop
hent; evacuation of Rumania, Serbia
nd Montenegro, with Serbia granted
ccess to the sea; assurance of secure
overeignty to the Turkish portions of
he present Ottoman empire with guar
ntee of security for other nationali-
les now under Turkish rule, and the
ornament opening Of the Dardanelles;
independent Polish state; an asso-
iation of nations to guarantee politi-
al independence and territorial integ-
ity to great and small states alike.
These terms stand today as the only
asis upon which the allied govern
lents will make peace. They have
cen adopted by the other members
the entente. The President stated
few days ago that there will be no
pmpromise in this war. There will be
relaxation from the terms already
hunciated.