Show the Weeks Moves Mean Mi T FAilURE I AT VERDUN AROUSES GERMAN 1 PEOPLE I A Allies lie Continue Plans for I Gigantic Offensive Along Western Front Peace Rumors Prevail B By J. J W. W T. T MASON 1 NEW YORK May 6 Ger Ger Germany many unquestionably is trying to I end the European war by persuading per per- neutral opinion that continuation con con- continuation con con- continuation per per-I of the conflict will mean useless slaughter for all the belligerents bel bel- bel- bel While reference to peace in Germanys Germany's Germanys Germany's Germanys Ger Ger- many's note to America is the most di direct direct direct di- di evidence that the kaiser wants to discuss a settlement th there re are other Indications that Germany is convinced a a permanent stalemate has been reach reached d by the contending armies The failure of the Germans to capture Verdun Verdun Verdun Ver Ver- dun is undoubtedly exercising a a. deep i Influence on the present attitude of the kaisers kaiser's government and a still profounder profounder profounder pro- pro founder Influence upon German public opinion The Verdun defeat is the first serious reverse the Germans have I suffered Buffered since the failure to reach Par Par-i Is and Calais early in the war It is significant that following the Meuse I check the kaisers kaiser's gov government has I Worded Its submarine note to the Unit Unit- i ted led d States in such a manner as to t try Y and placate German public opinion hitherto the Berlin authorities have hot not been compelled to consider public pUblio opinion in international affairs It is not difficult to understand therefore why the kaiser is anxious toi to i set neutral ne Influences at work on be- be behalf 4 half alf of peace at this time But there scan c can n be no discussion of peace wl without hout houta a discussion of terms and aid Germany has not given any evidence of a willingness willingness wil wil- to accept temps In any way satisfactory to the allies ames In her not notto note to America Germany expresses a de desire desire desire de- de sire to end the war on the terms term that will wUl safeguard her vital interests ts but nothing is vaguer in international questions than vital Interests The German chancellor has re recently Indicated indicated indicated Indi indi- that Germanys Germany's terms include the retention pf of th the conquered territory of Ru Russia silL beside the ex exercise of a vaguely expressed German suzerainty over Bel Bel- gium The war must go still further if Germany continues to believe these thee I terms are necessary to protect her vi vital vl vi tal tat interests i j That the note may be moderated inthe In tn Inthe the near future however Is suggested by the apparent fact that the German government has abandoned its earlier demand for tor a war indemnity as the price of peace The allies themselves ar are showing no I open desire for peace but this is be- be I cause they stand to lose lone more than Germany if the war were to end under present conditions If Germany continues continues con con- to want rant a victorious peace the theames allies ames must go ahead with their plans for a gigantic offense along the western western western west west- ern front And yet the German failure failure fail fan ure at Verdun certainly raised doubts in hi London and Paris as to whether the western deadlock can ever ever be broken by either side Unquestionably the French Anglo drive will be put of off If there is s any ex expectation expectation ex- ex of Germany accepting what the allies consider an equitable peace agreement nt But If It Germanys Germany's plea for fot peace is accompanied ed by a conquerors conqueror's condition then the drive must come with a probable loss tp Ip all the belligerents belligerents belligerents of at least men What may happen after that midsummer will wUl probably show |