The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-07-25
THE PRISONER WOULD "COMPRO-
MISE''

Probably not one American IN 100 Will
consider Germany's "peace offer through
Spain as anything more than it is-an at
tempt to strengthen the morale Of the peo-
ple at home by trying to show that Ger
many wants peace and is beset by enemies
and to give ammunition for the pacltlsts
among the Allies.
But for the benefit Of the few who might
believe that Germany is making an honest
effort to get peace, the supposed terms
should be analysed, little as they merit
serious consideration.
First" Germany wants no annexatlons
or indemnities in the vest.
Ignoring the fact that she has suddenly
changed her tune what is to become OF
Belgium and AIsace if the policy Of no an
nexations and no indemnities is adopted as
a. peace basis9 Is Belgium to be left
to restore herself, or is Germany to be made
to pay for the hideous wrong done? Ger
imany has taxed Belgium millions OF dol
liars a month since the war began and sys-
tematically stripped this little nation Of
it's men and resources. She has everything
of value now and magnanimously decides
she wants no further annexations or in
! IDENTITIES.
And is Alsace to be left under German
rule to cause future wars2
Second-EThe peace treaties with Rus
STA and Rumania may not be questioned :.
No wonder Germany will fOrswear con-
quests in the west if she is given free
hand in Russia and Rumania. The treaties
must not only be questioned" but wiped
out entirely. They were made with Prus-
sian gun pointed at the heart of Russia and
Rumania and can have no standing.
Third-"The principle of self determine
ton of peoples has not been discussed, but
may be settled at the peace conference.
The time to settle that is now. That is
all that America is fighting for, and no
compromise is possible there without leav-
ing the way open to future wars.
Fourth-''The Balkan question is to be
settled around the peace table,.
The Balkan question will settle itself
when the principle of self determination is
settled.
1.-THE freedom Of the seas, the dis
mantling of Gibraltar and the Suez canal,
and the right of Germany to use coaling
stations.
The freedom of the seas is another of the
principles for which America is fighting,
but her understanding Of it differs from
Germany's. It doesn't mean freedom to
torpedo neutral vessels in defiance Of in
ternational law. 1t doesn't mean freedom
to pillage and murder, but freedom to
trade, and Gibraltar and the Suez canal
will lose their military Importance when
that principle is established as it will be.
Sixth-''The colonial question to be set
tied on the principle of the status quo ante
bellun".
The colonial question, like the Balkan
question, will be settled when the principle
of self determination Of peoples is settled
And before peace terms can be even dis
cussed it is necessary to have responsible
government with whom we can deal. 1t is
not possible to make bargains with cut
4hroats and murderers, nor men who look
upon treaties as ''scraps Of paper.
The day for Germany to offer peace
terms passed when America entered the
war. She has as much right to talk COM
promise as the prisoner awaiting sentence.
The day when the Allies are able to pass
that sentence and enforce it, is drawing
rapidly nearer and the sentence will be in
accord with the principles of justice with
out vindictiveness.