Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-09-20
THE BEST OF US SLIP

THE BEST OF US SLIP
The New York Times, apparently alone of all the
sreat metropolitan papers of the country, last Monday
morning expressed In its leading editorial the opinion
that the peace overtures of the Austrian government
should be accepted, and that the Allies, without slack
ening their military effort, should express willingness
to join with the central powers in an unbindine confer
ence at which the views and demands of the beligerents
might be stated, in the expectation that out of this con-
ference might come formal negotiations for peace. The
attitude Of the Times caused not a LITTLE, surprise. Com
ing from another source the Times article might have
ISM. In the case of the Times that was out of the ques-
ton. No paper published has voiced sentiments of more
rugged Americanism than have been stated in the COL
umns of the Times, month in and month out, not only
during the past eighteen. months. but from the time
when Germany first let hell loose upon the world. What
ever else may be true. the change of disloyalty, or Of
lukewarmness. will not lie against the Times.
And yet that paper proposed the acceptance, Of a.
plan which was dismissed instantly and emphaticallv by
Americans everywhere, from the soldier in the trenches
to the professor in his study and the blacksmith at his
forge. and which was bluntly and unceremoniouslv re-
jected by the president of the United States, with the
appreciation of every member of congress who expressed
himself on the subject. The attitude of the New York
Times therefore aroused. wonder and curiosity which
were quite natural
On the following day, the proposal having heen ~
5ected by our government, the Times further e,ncida+ed
III position. finding no fault with the action taken. but
seutlns 1ortn the reasons for its hope that a different
e'isio might nave oeen reached. In substance the
explanation OF the Times is that if the. proposal were
made IN good faith. and the Teptonic powers followed
the course necessary to demonstrate their good f.;+h
an important step would have been taken on tbe ro.a
to peace whereas, if they declined to provide the neces-
sary guarantees by removing their armies from occunied
territory, they would have demonstrated afresh - +ho
world their insincerity.
paragraph: g..
At the beginning of the war Germany had il in
mind to demand Of France as the guarantee Of her
neutrality permission to occupy two French for+-
resses with German troops. We might have de-
manded the right to hold in pledge German fort
resses on the Rhine, but that would have heen he.
yond the pale of reason, for we have no intention
OF Selling and holding German cities or forts. We
do intend to restore Belgium to its people. tn y
force the retirement Of enemy troops from France.
and to restore to her the stolen provinces. These r
being peace terms that we shall never consent to.
modify. Germany and Austria knowing that they.
must accept them in the end, we could have put
tnem to the test by demanding that they accept
tnem now. The rejection Of the demands would
have disclosed the perhdy Of the invitation, it would
have exhibited the Teutonic powers as still unwill-
ing to acknowledge that they are beaten, not vet
ready to discuss peace on the only basis that wou1c
insure Its permanence. Then the Allies. not having
slackened their efforts, would have continued them
with ever-increasing energy and determination to a
successful issue.
All Of this Is plausible, but it does not strike us as
convincing: The central powers know now the basic
terms on which they can have peace. II they will
withdraw their forces and lay down their arms, and
Inquire What next?" they will find the Allies quite
ready to inform them what further conditions must be
met Short Of that, discussion is idle.
In this case the Times seems to have slipped. al
the wisest and most earnest will at times, into alposi-
ton which is unsound ana illogical.
Rose Pastor Stokes and several others were brought
UP short for applauding the speech OF Eugene v. psos
In court Thus far noGaction appears to have been
taken with reference 70 the church oncials who en-
idorsed and honored Rev. Fontana- Do the members Of
the German Evanselical synod approve Of sediion?
II the Republican party management are not careful
they may suRer tho dt.aAv OF the support that
BRANCH Of the suffrage movement which insults the pres.
idsnt evsry tims Il setl \ chance
4 ~ coming fourth dk1psrty 1oan# campaign 81.
%sss ;sssis.asd " |. ~. - IA a.a po...,oly q
M