WHEN PEACE COMES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 207, 30 August 1916, Page 7

WHEN PEACE COMES.

PROBLEM OF SETTUJJG EUROPE. LECTURE BY PROFESSOR GROSSMA-.TS".

The possibility of securing a permanent peace and the conditions under which such results may be obtained were discussed by Professor J. P. Grossmann in the course of an interesting lecture before a large audience at the Grafton Library last night, Mr. G. W. Murray presiding. One of the difficulties in the way of pence, said the lecturer, was the absolute inability of the Germans and their rulers to understand other nations or comprehend their point of view. The Allies were lighting, not the Kaiser or the German military chiefs, but the whole German nation, inspired by a certain idea—the will and the desire to conquer the world. The inspiration that had drawn the powers of the Entente together was that they were engaged in a life-and-death struggle against a most formidable adversary. Nothing but the strength and justice of their cause would have resulted in such steadfast co-opera-tion. The Germans, in their failure to understand the meaning of the war, held the belief that it would be ended by some sort of compromise, and they lmd given warning that immediately on the conclusion of peace they would prepare for the further advance of their ideals. Professor Grossmann- read a number of illuminating extracts from current works by way of illustrating the monstrous self-assertiveness of the modern German and his refusal to be bound by any moral laws except those which were suitable to himself. The lecturer also quoted the remarks of Mr. Asquith for the purpose of emphasising the grim determination of Great Britain and her allies to see the war through to v conclusion, which would ensure the absolute destruction of Prussianism. (Applause.) Although the ultimate result of the war was obvious, the Germans were not beaten yet, and it was only when the obnoxious system of Prussianism was entirely destroyed that we could hope for the people of Germany to realise the maduess of their adventure. ( Applause.) The lecturer went on to contrast the peace feelers which lutd from time to time been made by the Germans through the medium of neutral countries, and pointed out how they were gradually | revising their claims. He was warmly applauded on expressing the optimistic opinion that the resources of the Allies i would bo sufficient for the tremendous task ahead, and that in the end Germany would b? reduced to such straits ]as to be compelled to accept the Allios - terins. The latter would restore Belgium and Serbia, aUo the lout provinces of France, and, he was glad to say. a portion of Rumania. (Applause.) Professor Grossmann expressed the belief that the Allies would refuse to deprive Germany of any territory which was populated by her own' people. lie thought there would be no permanent peace which was not based on the great principle of nationalism. The lecturer went on to discuss various means which might be adopted to destroy the prestige and the authority of the Prussians. He sympathised with Conan Doyle-; picturesque drean. of a triumphal entry into P.crlin. (Applause.) Other methods might be the dismantling of German fortresses, the neutralising of the Kiel Canal, etc.. but the most effective, however, would probably be to punish all the individuals, from the Kaiser downwards, who were responsible for the crimes and outrages by which Germany had produced such a horrible stain in this awful war. These people should he tried as criminals for their lives, and subjected tr> whatever penalties a properly constituted tribunal was prepared to cxaet. (Applause.) "We would be mad." declared the lecturer, "to again allow the Germans to plan for our destruction." He went on to refer to the proposal to exclude German goods from the English markets, and expressed the opinion that this might have been done witn profit even before the war. He warmly advocated a system oi Imperial protection. (Applause.) The professor expressed the hope that in addition to restoring the smaller States destroyed by the enem>, the Allies would be able to dense some means of compensation. He discussed methods of securing the -peace of the world, including the setting up of a European police system aiid the establishment of a European Parliament on international lines; but he expressed the opinion that these schemes involve too many and difficulties to come within the present range of practical politics. His own opuiion was t«at the terms of settlement would he all the more effective for not being too permanent, as readjustments might 1* found necessary before many years had elapsed. The first step to be taken in arranging term.* of peace, said the professor, would ho probably t'.ie calling or a conference at which all neutrals and belligerents would bo represented. He *l?d not suppose that the Allies would ever consent to negotiate with the Kaiser or the military leaders nf the Central Powers. In conclusion, he expressed the hope that the growing enlightenment of the nations would lead to a revulsion against the horrors and iniquities of war. (Loud applause.) At the invitatici' of the chairman a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer.