The Ogden Standard

PEACE IS NOW IN SIGHT.

Peace is possible within two months. When Bethmann-Hollweg, on tomorrow, presents to the reichstag the terms on which Germany will accept peace, the beginning of the end may be in sight.

Our opinion is Germany will offer the statu quo ante-bellum, neither demanding territory nor indemnity. This proposal will bring wry faces from the allies, but when the conferences are held the enemies of the central powers will be inclined to yield. Why? First, because the submarine threatens to starve England and France, or reduce them to a state of weakened resistance; and, second, Russia, through internal discord, is unable to strike an effective blow on the East front.

We have no way of determining how effective are the U-boats or what methods of defeating them are employed or in prospect, but, taking the late public utterances of the British officials, and we reach the conclusion that England is in desperate straits, or fast approaching that condition. The ominous silence on the Russian front indicates that disorganization, and perhaps German intrigue, are rendering the Muscovites helpless. Only the allies know their own weak-ness.

If they are as seriously menaced as surface indications disclose, then they will enter into a consideration of peace, and peace will come with surprising rapidity.

One of the first demands, as a preliminary to negotiations, will be a change in the government of Germany. The allies will insist that the German people be made the real governing power of Germany. This will be for the purpose of making impossible the recurrence of the secret plotting which brought on this great world war.