The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-10-26
COHESION Or DIVISION?

During the past few weeks the critics have been pointing
out with unusual vigor that Germany has lost her military cam
paign; that the contest at arms has brought defeat, and that
the only possible hope she can have is that She may recoup her
fortunes by a resort to diplomatic strategy.
That the German has turned to the last remaining avenue o.
escape with a desperation born Of a great emergency; that he
will adopt any form of trickery or deception that he will sac
rhce whatever vestige there is remaining of honor, in order to
eXtncate himself from disaster, are foregone conclusions.
He has played his last card. Whether it came from his
hand, from the deck or from his sleeve, we shall shortly learn
In procuring the services of President Wilson to act as the
vehicle for the transmission of his request for terms of an
armisticc to the allies, he has played a bold and audacious hand
1t is the play upon which he has staked everything.
If the undivided answer comes back from Foch and the
other military leaders that an armistice will be granted upon
terms Of unconditional surrender, with the allies in position to
enforce the terms by the adoption Of the proper safeguards, such
as they may regard as necessary, then the German has played a
losing hand.
# there is division among the allies; if the terms of some
are not satisfactory to others if some are lencnt and others
he has won.
We are not among those who are apprehensive over the
outcome of this battle of wits, but the stake is too big not to
excite our unfagging interest.
The German army progressed very we'll while there was a
division Of allied command in the field. When the vast armies
on the western front became a unit under a single command
the tide of fortune turned. 1t became at once an irresistible
force that would not be denied.
The statesmen of the allied countries have been operating
with a close affliation, The Gerpan was not slow to appreciate
the significance OF their cooperation. His last note was intended
az a wedge to be driven between them
If the terms that shall be agreed upon represent the united
views and strength of the allies there may be no recourse
except for the German to accept them. Assuredly there will
be no recourse except to abide by them or keep on fighting
He is hoping, however. that he will he the beneficiary of a
division OF sentiment,
Cohesion is the thing that has brought the allies to their
dominant position. If they should fall apart the supreme pur-
pose of the German would be achieved, and we would not be
far removed from any calamity that might be imagined,
This is the time beyond all others that we should display a
solid front. The soldiers have been required to fight together,
and they have responded vahantly, and it is not too much to
demand of the statesmen of all the countries associated in the
conduct Of the war that they shall stand together.
The United States went into this war in behalf OF human
ity, justice and righteousness, and to make the world safe for
democracy, We went into it asking for no material reward, no
territorial acquisition and expecting no compensation.
Our provocation was sufficient, it was cumulative, but it
did not compare with Belgium, which was crushed, with France
which had been invaded, or with England, which was threatened
with humiliation.
Joined forces, with the allies, We knew for what they fought
We knew full we'll what the penalty would be il Germany were
victorious, and we knew equally as well what the allies would
impose If they were victorious,
So lar as we know the allies have never lost sight OF their
ultimate object, nor have they made any effort to conceal i. iron
Germany.
Perhaps the a. terms as laid downsby President Wilson a.
a basis for peace do not fully contemplate the allied aims. |
they do not the American people are willing that they shalA b
enlarged to conform to their views.
The American people do not insist, we believe they do no
even desire, that the United States shall assume supremacy il
the dictation of the terms of peace. The voice that should b.
is strongest, but the nation that has suffered most,