Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1917 — LITTLE PROSPECTS OF PEACE [ARTICLE]

LITTLE PROSPECTS OF PEACE

We hear much of the desire of the warring nations for peace, especially Germany and Austria, and nothing could give the people of this country greater satisfaction But a glance at conditions as they are will convince the most optimistic that peace is still a long way off. In the first place, the map of Europe and other parts of the world has been much changed since this war began. While Germany has lost her colonial possessions, she has occupied other territory which, in the event she cap hold it, will doubtless mean more to her than that which she has lost. Great Britain will scarcely consent to relinquish the German territory she has conquered, nor will France make peace without restoration by Ger-

many of Alsace-Loraine. Japan has Kia-Chau, taken from Germany, and German armies are overrunning large portions of Russian territory. Again, there has been no intimation that either the Central or entente powers would agree to a peac° without indemnity. And the matter of indemnity is a mountain of difficulty in the way of peace negotiations. Billions hare been spent by. each- side, and the best blood of all nations has been spilled. That each would contepd for indemnity- unless conquered outright there can be no shadow of a doubt That neither would think of granting ’ndemniiy there can also he no doubt. With this state of affairs prevailing, and with the greatest bitterness and hatred existing that the world has ever experienced, it looks as though the only hops for peace is a clean victory for one side or the other. That being the case, what is the condition facing the allies? First; it must be admitted that Germany is far from an exhausted nation- however much we may hope that such is the case. The tenacity with which she holds to her position in the face of staggering onslaughts of the French and English is ample proof of this. Again, it becomes more apparent each day that little reliance can bo placed in Russia as a positive and aggressive force. She may keep up a semblance of offensive, but unless she greatly improves, that will be all. She has too many forces within her borders pulling different directions. In time she may harmonize those, but it will take time, and her aid is needed now if it is to be of any benefit. Viewed from whatever angle we may view it, the conflict narrows down to a fight to a finish, with the United States as the deciding factor.

And to be such deciding factor she must throw such a force across the waters as shall by sheer numbers make a successful fesistenco by Germany no longer possible. Every loyal citizen of this country will dedicate his services and his life to this purpose. The man who at this time seeks to place obstacles in the way of the government is not worthy the Citizenship he enjoys, and should be fibrever deprived of it. There is absolutely no use in

this country for the obstructionist.