GERMANY'S REPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1918, Page 4

GERMANY'S REPLY.

The full text of Germany's reply to President Wilson's note is published today, and bears the impress of Teutonic subtlety and dishonesty. The greater part of the contents refer with studied elaboration to the political reforms which are just now being made a stalking horse wherewith Germany hopes to out-ma-noeuvre her enemies, and a great parade is made of the people being determined on these reforms. It is an insult to the intelligence of President Wilson and the Allies to suppose for a moment that there is any reality about this sudden conversion to democratic principles. It is a mere subterfuge brought forward to gain an armistice and then swept away into oblivion. The people have had no voice in the new constitution, which is a delusion and a snare. Why waste time over such manifest insincerities? Having failed with its military weapon, the German Government is resorting to that far more dangerous weapon of pitting its wits against those of the Allies, probably emboldened by previous bloodless successes by this means. Being totally without honor, and wilful deception as a means of gaining her ends being a ruling law in her dealings with others, Germany and the German people have become permeated with moral obliquity until they have lost all regard for truth and fair dealing. More especially is this the case when, as at present, tliey are staking the country itself on this last gamble. It passes comprehension that when faced with such a grave crisis they must still take refuge in chicanery, instead of making an effort for once in a while to be honest. They cannot bo trusted, so there the matter should end. To bargain is unthinkable. There is only one course to take, and that is to break once and for all the power of Germany to be a world menace. Only by forcing Germany to her knees and stripping her of her naval and military power, and taking the necessary means to prevent the military caste from exercising its influence can there be peace. The Allies should now definitely declare that they refuse to negotiate, and that as Germany appealed to force so shall force be the factor in the reply. We have fought for over four years, and there should be 110 cessation until final victory gives the Allies the J right to dictate terms of peace—such terms as Germany has shown will alone suffice to put an end to war for all time, We are dealing with a loathsome pestilence, and it must be exorcised root and branch.