The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-09
TIE DkIkY' ilSSoUIlAN
EsTABlisHEo 1s7s
"WEDNESDAY, JANUARY ., 1918.
IS PEACE APPROACHING?

able peace, and one, we think,
that will stir the sympathetic in
terest Of all Germans who are
\ tired Of war, and settled in the
conviction that the junker dream
Of world conquest is at an end.
The essential elements of the
presidents proposal are not dif-
ferent from those Of our allies, as
expressed by Lloyd George. There
is, however, very marked varia-
ton from the presidents peace
program as outlined at the open
ing Of congress in December. The
president has made the route dis
tinctly easier for Germany.
First and most important, there
is no reference to the former in
sistent demand that the German
people remove their present gov
erning power, as a preliminary
to peace negotiations. The presi-
dent is now in agreement with
Lloyd George, that such a change
is something to be settled by the
German people themselves. That
was the greatest obstacle to the
peace in the presidents former
plan.
Secondly, there is near agree
ment to the Russian propo-
sition OF no annexations and no
indemnities. The only sngges-
ton Of a difference is in the
eighth article, which provides
that all French territory is to he
freed and restored, along with
PREPARATION for the taking of AL
sace-Lorraine. That may mean
that Germany must turn over one
Of her colonies to France to
square the robbery Of forty-six
years ago, or it may mean q
money indemnity to adjust that
difference. In the following arti-
Gle there is proposal for the re-
adjustment of Italy's frontier
along clearly recognized lines of
nationality. That, as we take it,
would mean that Trieste would
be restored by Austria to Italy.
There are no other references
that could be classed as provi-
sions for annexation.
Germany is to restore the con-
qukred territory Of Belgium
France and Russia, save that OF
Poland, which is TO become an in
dependent state. Nothing is said
as to any indemnity for the terri
BILE destruction in France and
Belgium unless restoration coulC
be interpreted into that meaning
AS formerly agreed upon in al
peace proposals by the allies, thu
Balkan states of Rumania, Servi;
and Montenegro are to be re
stored to full integrity.
The proposition which WI
fancy will appeal strongest tt
Germany, provides for the free
dom of the seas and equality o
trade conditions among all ma
tons.
There is a strong note Of sym
pathy for the unfortunate Rus
slams and it is quite probable tina
the presidents message was, tt
some degree, inspired by the hop
that it would stiffen the Russian
stand in negotiations with Ger
many.
What, may be asked, become
Of the presidents demand that tn,
world be made safe for democ
racy? Nothing is said about tina
in this message, and if Mr.. viii
sons program is adopted, w
think that the world will be abou
as safe for democracy, as it wa
before the war. The guarantee
for the reduction Of nationa
armament in article four, with tn
vague outline that these be mad'
to the lowest point, consisten
with national safety, mean moth
ing at all.
Germany, by accepting thi
proposal would admit defeat il
her ambition to win the war, bu
it would mean defeat for her il
nothing else. She would enter tn
world of commerce again witt
equal opportunity and would thel
proceed to rebuild from tn
Mreckage Of her lost trade.
Since the United States and he
allies have agreed upon a pro
gram that ignores any intentio
Of crushing Germany to tn
ground, we can see a possibilit
of peace within a few month.
The German proposition, whic
was delayed, presumably, to ava
the aims Of the allies, should M
be much different from thos