Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-14

/ oCl IAoA AOIC IAdk LILO ohhSo S0hO
President Wilson's position in re-
gard to peace goes to the root Of
the matter. The allies, including the
United States and not the latter alone,
are to say when and on what condi-
tons fighting shall cease through AZ
mistice, and what the terms of an en-
during and righteous peace shall be.
The fighting now in progress favors
the allies everywhere. They are fore
ing the Germans to evacuate invaded
territory in France, in Belgium and in
the Balkans. When Turkey yields to
the drastic conditions Of surrender to
be exacted, the evacuation of Russia
and Rumania will be compelled.
Negotiated evacuation under the Ger
man note might not touch Russia and
Rumania, which by reason of treach-
erous and Infamous treaties are tech
nically no longer among the allies. In
negotiated evacuation through mixed
commission the reciprocal evacuation
by the allies of occupied German colo
MES might be urged.
The allies, before agreeing to an
armistice, wish for an understanding
concerning the restoration Of Alsace-
Lorraine to France that is more def
mite than the suggestion on this subject
of the Presidents address. They may
wish for cancellation of the treaty Of
Brest-Litovsk. The demands of the al
lies for reasonable reparation from
Germany may be more extensive and
more stringent than those which would
be made by America if she were deal
ing with the subject alone.
In view Of reverses, heavy losses and
semi-panic on the west front, the sur
render Of Bulgaria and the practical
capitulation of Turkey, the highest Ger
man military strategy may call for the
immediate evacuation of all invaded
TERRITORY and the withdrawal Of all
German armies, unmolested as far as
possible, within German lines, to con-
centrate for desperate defense, if
necessary, Of German soil and German
homes.
The allies will, Of course, see to it
that an evacuation which is itself in
the German interest is not required by
them in consideration of an armistice,
which also strengthens Germany by
checking the heavy losses now being
endured by that nation, and by avert
! ing the threatened disaster of military
collapse under the blows to which it is
Cow yielding.
The German peace note may be a
trick along the line of the insincere
proposals Of the last year; or it may be
the sincere first step toward a just and
lasting peace. =.
The worlds hope will be that the
German note is not a snare of Prus-
sian miltarism, but means that
alarmed and repentant Germany is
ready to discard kaiserism and world
conquest and to make reasonable rep
aration for the hideous wrongs inf1ict-
cd by her in the last four years upon
the world.
The allies, including the United
States as an honored and influential
member, are to decide concerning the
real character Of the note, and to
speak and act accordingly. Through
President Wilson as the medium of
communication the whole subject will
doubtless soon be before the allies for
their earnest and united considera-
ton, unless the President feels that he
cannot even submit it.
Meanwhile Foch and the other allied
generals will keep on fighting. The
German note will not be permitted,
either Intentionally or unintentionaHy,
to bring about division in the councils
or the allies, or to weaken patriotic en-
thusiasm either in those who fight in
uniform at the front or with their dol
lars and civilian war service at home
Liberty loans will not be checked.
The whole world is weary of war and
every people therein tend to re-
spond to a prospect and promise of
peace dang1ed before them, even
though that promise is a delusion and
q snare. The danger is that we may
be tempted to lay down our war-bur-
den too soon, before victory and en-
during peace are won.
Russia veafied too SOON and was
lured to Prussian peace and destruc-
ton ut Brest-Litovsk.
Let the weary allies, including the
United States, grit their teeth and
~carry on" until the still more weary
Germans yield and make just repara-
ton under the terms of u righteous
and enduring peace.
The German Center Crushed.
Laon, the keystone of the German