by Richard van Pelt, WWI Correspondent

The Capital Journal headlines held little hope for peace:

BOMBARDMENT OF TRENCHES GREATLY AIDED BY AIRMEN
Both Sides Use Aviators to Good Effect in Northern France and Flanders
ENGLAND ANNOUNCES NO HOPE FOR PEACE
British Government Considering Measures to Paralyze German Commerce

Paris, Feb. 11. – Bombardment of trenches by airmen from both sides along the entire battle line in northern France and Flanders was announced by the official statement issued by the war office this afternoon. The aviators are not only dropping bombs but are signaling the range to the artillerymen, who are keeping their guns in constant action.

From the sea to the Champagne region both sides are using their entire artillery strength and many villages and towns in the rear of the actual fighting line are suffering.

No Hope for Peace

London, Feb. 11. – England and her allies see no likelihood of an opening which would lead to early peace with Germany and Austria.

Foreign Minister Sir Edward Grey made this much plain in the house of commons here today. Responding to a question by a labor member as to what terms the allies were willing to offer Germany and Austria at present, Grey said:

“Recent public utterances in Germany have not given us reason to suppose that the object of the questioners would be promoted by adopting the course suggested or by outlining tentative terms of peace.”

A small group of labor members . . . has been advocating sounding Germany on the question of peace. Grey’s statement was construed as indicating that Germany has no desire even to consider peace proposals at present.

Prime Minister Asquith, in response to “flagrant breaches” of international law by Germany in announcing plans to attempt a submarine blockade of England, announced that Britain would begin an actual blockade of Germany by it much more vast fleet.

An editorial in the Oregon Statesman contrasts the martial spirit of Canadians with the British counterparts, and compares Canadians with Americans:

AMERICAN SOLDIERS

British territorial recruits from Canada have been held in English training camps until the men have lost patience and the Dominion has felt humiliated. It now develops, according to an American war correspondent, that the delay in sending the eager Canadians to the front has not been due to their lack of training, but to their excess of American independence. Before they could be trusted to join the British army and fight side by side with the regular Tommies, it seems, they had to be taken down a peg and absorb the British idea of discipline.

“It was terrible,” an English officer explained, “the way you Canadians came into London. Your officers and privates gathered together in the bars and drank together! You can’t build up an army with such familiarity.”

“But,” protested a Canadian officer, “that’s the way we have to build it up. A Canadian soldier has no illusions about his officers. He knew them in private life, and he knows what they are worth.”

But the English officer shook his head sadly. “You haven’t got our idea at all,” he lamented. “A private soldier is not expected to have any individuality. His only duty is to obey his superiors.”

And then, when the Canadian retorted that “none of that stuff would go with our men – they are from Missouri,” it took half an hour to make the Englishman understand that bit of American slang.

We might seek far for a better illustration of the essential similarity of the Canadians and the “Americans.” The spirit of the two peoples is the same. Canadians are at home here and we are at home in Canada. From Grinnell Land to the Rio Grande there’s the same instinct of independence, of democracy, of disregard for office or title or uniform, and the disposition to size up every man as a human being and treat him as he deserves. And in that very fact there is assurance that militarism will never gain a foothold on this continent.

Neither the “Canuck” nor the “Yank” will ever submit to a system in which “his only duty is to obey his superiors,” for neither will ever admit that he has any “superiors.”