The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-18

here admit that now is the time for
new and tempting peace offer from
Germany. They believe that such an
ofTer will be only bait TO lure the en-
1 tente and the United States into
Brest Litovsk. So strong is this be-
lief that the president Ia being urged
by some OF his advisers in foreign af-
fairs to declare and define the new
/ war problems which confront the
United States and to summon the
country 10 their solution, in advance
OF any proffered temptation from the
other side OF the battle line No one
| tonight would pretend to say what
he president will do
IL is authoritatvely stated in quar-
tors close TO him that he will NOT
for the present go before congress.
There are number OF indications
that the president IS studying a broad
program into which enter the follow
Ing factors:
/. Should the United States by its
silence invite a new peace offer from
Germany? Such an offer is recog-
ntzed in advance rs nothing but an
effort to disrupt allied morale and
ftsnting spirit.
2. Has the Russo Japanese situa-
ton so orystafazed as TO permit the
United States to take a definite stand
j, How far Should the president go
IN admitting the deficiencies m the
United States wal preparations and
summoning the manufacturers ~ 90
builders and trainers Of soldiers to
hasten the completion of their task
The prediction OF the new peace of
fer from Germany is based upon an
editorial in the German government
organ Germania. Describing the peace
with HnmAn&H IA OF f1fY nj SH1 ayytl
for the little country's disloyalty
Aegalomania, and most INSCRIPTIONS
policy of force the editorial then says:
II the chancellor in his latest
speech delivered his last warning TO
the entente. our enemies will do we'll
TO realize that the concessions wa are
ready to make, will not necessarily
mold good in every future military stu
alton"
In view of the consideration with
which President Wilson treated Pre-
mler C2ernin. OF Austria, in his last
messaee--~a consideration in which he
was alone of all allied statesmen---it
is predicted that Czernin may now
come forward with the announcement
or what those concessions" may be-
in detail. The best illustration of the
change OF heart on the part of thei
administration towards Czernin. how
him made today by a prominent Of
ncial: 1t was CZernin himself" be-
said. who negotiated the peace byI
which Rumania was strangled despite
Czernin's fair words"
This liz what is meant by consider
ing that new peace offer would but
lead the entente into n Brest Lltovsk.
The very discussion OF peace. admin
istratton officials here again insist
tends
of those who are willing to talk say
today that no peace actually WIN be
possible until German military autoc-
racy, now revealing in its triumphs on
the east, In crushed
There Ia also evident here a grow
ing belief that in The face of the
present military situation Ahe doc
trfnes of the president, even though
showered on every German village and
farm will fall on cara deafened to a |
peace of justice by the thunder oil
the triumphing OF the German military
machine.
There are others who confidently be-
lieve that the president has struck and
consistently maintained a note power
full In its appeal to all German Liber-
ais
There are evidences 10 the effect
that more radical of the Liberals ere
dissatisfied with the results In Russia
There ia no lack of evidence that Rus
sia is accepting the German peace only
through force.
Persons who hold these opinions be-
iieve there is still a great opportunity
for the president ia bring the Germs
people to their senses by appealing.
perhaps through Russia, rather than
again directly TO the Tsutons them
selves. German papers quoted here
aave already shown the pan Germans
fear OF the democratic spirit of Rus
sia and its essential liability to lean
towards the United States rather than
Germany.
Russo Japanese situation has not yet
reached that stage Of development
which would permit of the presidents |
acting on sure ground Elements in |
the action of the Soviets are regarded |
as hopeful. Chief of this Is the de-
termination of the congress to raise |
an army, revolutionist army, IL IL |
recognized, would be constant
stumbling block in the path Of German
penetration OF Russia. be that pene-
tration either military or economic
There liz also a distinctly more OPP
timistic feel here AS to the attitude of
Japan. AS pointed ont in these dts.
patches. some days ago, the entente
nations have In effect guaranteed that
+spsn's occupation OF Asiatic mainland
territory will not be permanent Dis .
patches from TOXIC received here to-
lay are taken TO Indicate that the I'm
perislistic ambitions or Japan. III she