Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1916. GERMANY'S PEACE TALK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8463, 31 May 1916, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1916. GERMANY'S PEACE TALK.

Sir Edward Grey's effective reply to the German Chancellor's peace "feelers" expresses, in brief, what most British people think on the question: peace ca,n only be established 011 a basis of international right, not on Germany's terms of the status quo ante bellum. A few months ago, when Germany's hopes of victory were firmer than they are to-day, her terms, were not so modest. In an address to a JSTew York Club, Count ;von Bernstorfi: outlined the major clauses of "the conditions Germany will impose on France after her victory." These were:—(l) The handing- over to Germany of all the French colonies, includingMorocco," Algiers, and Tunis; (2) the cession of all tlie territory' on Germany's western frontier up'to a; line running from Saint-Valeric to Lyons; (3)van indemnity of i;en thousandao ■ million francs (£400,000,000); (4) a commercial treaty allowing German goods free entry"iafc; France for a period of 25 year's,/without reciprocity; (5) the suspension of recruiting in France -for a period of 25 years; (6) the demolition of all the French fortresses; (7) the surrender by; France to Germany of 3,000,000 rifles, 3000 cannon, and 40,000 horses; (8) the recognition of German patent rights in France, without reciprocity; (9) the abandonment by France of every kind of alliance with Russia and England; (10) a treaty of alliance with Germany for a period of 25 years. Later, when Germany realised 1 that her efficient reserves were nearingl an end, her proposals underwent an astonishing change, which was made clear in the statement submitted to President Wilson by Colonel House, who had been sent by the President to ascertain what were the prospects for American mediation. So far as the Allies were concerned, Colonel House had to report, in characteristic Americanese, that " there . was nothing doing. ' It appears, however, that Germany w.as quite eager to let the President know that she did not wish to prolong the war, and Colonel. House was authorised to report _thal Germany was prepared to conclude peace on the following terms—namely, the return of the German colonies, no indemnities on either side, Polish autonomy, the partition of Montenegro, Serbia, and Albania between Austria, Bulgaria, and Greece, ltussian control of Persia, ,and German evacuation of France Slid Belguun. That is to say, all the sacrifices made by Belgium and the Allies were to be without result, and Belgium, France, and Poland were to repair as best they could the-awful devastation caused in their territories by Germany. The Gernian Chancellor's latevst inspired peace '-suggestions' indicate that because the Allies will not even discuss Germany's terms, they jare responsible for the continuance of the war. This is a proof either of Germany's limitations in the matter of intelligence or lof her desire to impress neutrals with her magnanimity. Sir Edward Grey is not impressed with Dr. Hollweg's sophistry, and declares that " nations refusing to accept peace!, terms. regardless of, their own interests cannot be regarded as responsible for the continuance of the war." President Wilson seems to be growing more convinced day by day that lie has a mission to fulfil, which is to carry the gospel of peace to the belligerents. "What affects mankind is inevitably our affair, 1' he told a Peace League at Wash-

ing-ton on Saturday. He has been a very long- time coming to that conclusion. The \ Press of his own country, and most of its leading' statesmen, assured him, at the beginning of the war, that he., should assert America's claims, as a civilised nation, to protest against the violation of Belgium's neutrality. But President Wilson replied that the war was no affair of the United States. He made the same response to the delegation of Belgian statesmen and priests that waited upon him and asked him to protest against German brutality; and still later, when Germany flouted one of his famous !S Totes, he declared that "America was too proud to fight." As a mental contortionist he is an admitted success, but as a statesman claiming the right to mediate in a titanic quarrel between nations, he has' no standing at 'all. ' ' '"■■'" ;■■ -:... ■■■ .. -„