The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-02-27
j !. IS PLAlE Tl)
GRIP CAIN iNEkST
believe Germany Hopes TO Gap
ita:ize Russian Conquest.
Mr.. WILSON TO ANSWER SOON
His Reply WIN Leave No Question as
Plot to Split Allies Fails.

His Reply WIN Leave No Question as
to Where the United States Stands.
Plot to Split Allies Fails.
Washington, Feb. 27.-Garmany is
making a new peace drive, now that
she has bagged a goodly section of
Russia
That was the meaning international
experts placed on the more concilia-
tory tone adopted by Count Won Hert-
ling in his reply to President Wilson's
peace terms note.
And further, some of the experts
saw an effort by Hertling to split the
allies, relying upon them to have
views differing from President Will
son in his four cardinal bases for
peace discussion.
TIE chanCellor's acceptance of the
four principles was regarded as indf-
eating that at his peace table discus
SIGN there would be little haggling
over Russia, IL French, Belgian and
illainS Rallsen ansstions could be ad
justed.'
In fact, it was felt that Hertling's
move harked back to Lloyd Georges
initial war aims speech in which he
virtually cast Russia adrift, warning
her that she would be left to her ate
at German hands if she continued in
her peace course.
Well-informed Englishmen in this
country have said recently that they
| doubted England would fight on long
to wrest Russian territory from Teu-
ton grip, even though German reten-
ton of it was a strong step toward
formidable strengthening Of German
domination Further, Italian Foreign
Minister Sonnino's newspaper init
mated after Lloyd Georges speech
that there might be little in the way
, of peace if Germany restored Bel
GUM. cleared out Of northern France.
gave Italy Trent and Triest, and did
her expanding in Russia.
What President Wilson will do was
! something no one here could posi-
lively fathom. That he will make
some rejoinder IS likely, however. But
, it is a question whether he will yield
to Hertling's suggestion that the
other nations must accept and ex-
press the four cardinal Wilson bases.
| Hertling subtly appealed to the pa
! cifsts of the allied countries to join
| in pressure on their governments for
| a statement coinciding with WILSON'S
There can be no miStaking that
Germany wants peace, but a peace
advantageous to herself. She has
! not altered her imperialistic aims and
the military party is still in power.
! Her acceptance of the principle OF
| self-determination of nationalities is
! believed based upon the theory that
then she can coerce the captured Rus
sian provinces into siding her way,
| especially as there is strong Ger
man element in the population.
| In one sense, though the chancel-
| lor's declaration stin further clears
| the air, for every statement on the
| subject of peace is regarded as one
! step nearer actual negotiation.
| While no official statement Is forth
coming as to the presidents views
no one but himself has the right to
speak for hint is expected that
within the near future he will make 1t
| plain, for the benefit of the anti-war
parties of Germany and Austria, that
| Count Won Hertling again has made
serious error.
Germany's aggression in Russia has
come at a bad time when compared
/ with the peace utterances OF her
statesmen, officials say.
That the president will reply to
Hertling and also will take steps to
define that all may know the attitude
| of the United States Is considered
certainty. The form in which this
action will. be taken is known only to
| the president.