New-York tribune., 1919-04-09
Losing the Peace

DO the people OF the United States
want Germany, after losing the war, to
win the peace? Millions of Americans
are anxiously revolving this interroga-
ton. They do not understand, nor much
want to understand, the intricacies of
European politics, but some broad ques-
tlons they deem themselves capable of
assessing justly.
They do not want Germany to win the
peace. Soldiers and civilians agree as
to this. Do a heavy job over again?
They cry out an emphatic negative. Yet
they are full of apprehension. Since the
signing of the armistice practically
everything has been to Germany's ad-
vantage.
First the coalition that defeated her
has been steadily weakened through
insidious attacks on its moral founda-
tions. 1t has suited either the narrow
ness or the partisanship Of American
public men to draw in question the good
faith Of our allies. They have been pre-
sented as aggressionists and imperial
lists. Not only has the alliance been
weakened, but propaganda campaigns,
paid for out Of American public funds.
have been carried on to rouse the sus
piclons of the populations of Europe
against the governments Of their free
choice.
Second, the policy steadily pursued
toward Russia has strengthened Ger
many. A way is prepared for post
war alliance. Abandoning support of the
true Russians, the great Slav family
whose instinct is for peace. under Amer
lean leadership, there is practical recog
milton of Germanized power in Russia
which, seizing the supply Of guns and
ammunition, by force keeps the Russian
masses IN subjection. German traders.
political agents and army drillers are to
descend on Russia like locusts when
peace IS signed. The advance guard is
already there. Lenine was on the Ger
man payroll once-for his own purposes.
ne says. lie may be on it again, and
may again say, as the bribed are likely
to do, that he is only doing what he would
DO anyway German organizing ability.
plus the docile millions and the mex
haustible resources of Russia, means Ger
man ovorlordship in the region east Of
the Rhine and the Alps.
Third, the German industrial machine
IS practically intact, while that of France
and Italy IS shattered, and that of Great
Britain greatly needs repair Germany
VIII be able to make a quick recovery.
and she makes no pretence of repent
ance. Hlndenburg is organizing a new
army, and this army is not for self-pro-
lection. The despicable Kaiser may not
be brought back, but all the signs ara
TIT his foreign policy will be.
MS OF course, is not to say that Ger
many now has any definite or matured
adea OF when the conflict is ito be re-
ne"ed. Probably majority of Ger
man are now war weary, their
minds occupied with thoughts of recon-
struction. But the immediate. conscious
hteh1ions OF Germany are Of little con-
sequence. What the world needs to
1asten its notice on is that the creation
OF new power is apparently to be
permitted
RUSSIA, as we have seen, is likely to
tecome German province. Austria
"a hungary will be in Germanys orbit.
q probably Jugo-Slavia, Bulgaria. and
mania, against her will. Poland and
1cho-Slavia will be surrounded and
] Ferless. With such power managed
IN Berlin, who can doubt how it will
lmately be used?
~ credit will be given to the demo-
tic nations for magnanimity. Peonles
nadly supported the recent war
til exhausted are not to be trusted
US open cur eyes to facts. It is
'fcme folly to suggest otherwise. If
mans are turned loose with weapons
heir hands, who has a right to expect
N not 10 use them?
he consequences of nagging and
ing our allies are necessarily evil.
deny 10 our friends the means OF
.0rc self-defencc Is bad. The business
confusing friend and foe is vicious.
place reliance on the mockeries of q
Jus league is to build peace on foun-
Aons Of sand. To put the claims Of
J rty politics ahead of patriotism and to
one man chance to pose before
worid--these are betrayals of the
no OF mankind. Not to these ends
brave mon go across the sea not for
: are there wooden crosses in France
l4ose the peace and the great hone of