Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-18
Life js the best possible thing We
can make Of it.-Curtis.
A ait OF LEAvEN OF PEACE

What basis Of fact there may be
behind this or whether the response
may be productive of any relief TO
France surely the report that Ger
man women are urging their coun-
trymen to come to the aid Of France
in rebuilding the areas SO wantonly
devastated by them in the war IS
favorable sign. 1t indicates not only
recognition of the fact that the Huns
were defeated in the war but Is ac-
ceptance Of a manifest obligation on
those who would return definitely 10
the ways of peace. 1t is a wise
move as compared with the foolish
one made by the rulers OF Germany
when they made their ridiculous OF
fer of reparation that was no repara-
ton.
The women who are making TINS
offer are Of the German section OF
the Women's International League
for Ptace and Freedom. They urge
ahe German people to go out with
hammers and saws and begin the
work. They say that While the
French and German industrialists
are uuarreling over the work and the
nailitarists on both sides are using
the matter as a pretext for stirring
up trouble the German people should
pull themselves together and go over
and help the French, that they will
be welcome over there.
This is good talk, anyway. 1t helps
to confirm the belief that the Ger
man people of today are deserving
of some sympathy. that they are be-
inr exhibited by "the interests" and
being bled white. There have been
few indications, however, of their
conviction that Germany really was
defeated in the horrible conflict,
that she regretted any of her deeds
or would make restitution in any
way save by being compelled to do
so. Moreover there has been evil
dence that the leaders believed they
could put their bluff through. Sur
prise and chagrn at their failure to
win over England to their side are
60 plain in all their remarks since
receiving England's reply that one
wonders how intelligent people could
have been SO credulous. Their ego
tism has made them stupid, or at
least they stand revealed in that
predicament. One of their leading
publications says: 'MOre bitter than
the French note is the harsh rebuke
Of the cool English answer which
says that England is surprised at
how little the German government
understood Low to go on in the sue
cessfully opened way
One reads that in response to
Germany's dishonest offer France
has seized enormous analine dye
properties in Germany. Many be-
lieve she is well within her rights in
doing this. The treaty provided for
such contingencies. The Germans
have not even attempted to meet the
issue honorably or accept the de-
cision of arms in warfare which
she inaugurated. We do not see
how a government could expect to
retain control in France without I'M
dertaking these drastic measures. On
the other hand it is commended that
the German government dare not
make an adequate offer through fear
Of losing Its grip on affairs. 1t is
evident that the German govern
ment is under obliga ton, short of
revolution, to observe the wishes Of
her powerful magnatoJ and there are
good grounds for belief that the
great industrial interests of France
are backing the invasion. In France.
however. the people have developed
IN self government far beyond the
people Of Germany. They may be
abe to call halt on industrial
greed.
Such proposals as that made by
those German women may prove a
leaven not only among the German
but also among the French people.
And until the heart and conscience
OF the people themselves are reached
and their reason so led to the light,
whatever peace pact may be made
cannot, in the nature of things, be
lasting. Only when the peoples of
both countries shall realize in part
at least the suicidal folly of the war
like passion. and have acquired a
power to enforce their will, can en-
during peace be hoped for along the
Rhine, whichever country may hold
its bridgeheads.
n ri uo r1adA In &c