The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1916. BOMBASTIC PEACE PROPOSALS.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2954, 14 December 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1916. BOMBASTIC PEACE PROPOSALS.

Those whr, ab , pi . eSoDfc control thfl destinies - 0 f the Teutonic League aro wc u awaro that peace is not . tt> be obtained on the terras they %>w offer—a return to tho pre-war status—and if they had entertained ■ serious hopes of persuading the Allies to bring tho war to an end they would have offered different terras. In the circumstances it must be supposed that the peace proposal is an elaborately organised bluff, partly inspired perhaps by a desire to impress the world at large and to stimulate internal dissension in Entente countries and tho anti-war sentiment in neutral countries, but almost certainly intended to create tho impression amongst the Gorman, people that peace on fair terms is impossible. This last-mentioned motive is of importance because there is no doubt that the desire for peace' which has grown up jn Germany in recent months has threatened embarrassment to the War Party. It is reasonable, therefore, to suppose that the Kaiser and his Chancellor have yielded to a popular demand in submitting their peace proposal, but the nature of the proposal is araplo proof that whatever hopes they cherish are not hopes of an early peace. The proposal to return to the pre-war status means obviously that Germany -has offered to open peace negotiations from the standpoint of a conqueror. The Kaiser's talk about "consciousness of victory" is in perfect accord with the terms of tho peace proposal. In their stage-managed domonstrationthe Gorman rulers are addressing themselves to the outer world, but it will probably not bo fair, wrong to assumo that one of their chief anxieties at the moment is'to induce their own people to accept an indefinite prolongation of the war. It must be recognised also that they are not unlikely to succeed. There is abundant testimony that ■man people are desperately tired of the war, but this does not mean that they aro conscious of defeat. Thejr probably recognise that the original plan of conquest has been upset, and that the future is uncertain and dark with the prospect of further terrible loss and suffering, but they do not yet admit the possibility of defeat. The prevailing feeling seems to bo that enough has been done in tho way of conquest and that it is time to make an end of tho sacrifices and privations of war. With matters in this state the German rulers may find it possible to apply a potent stimulus to the war spirit of the nation by disseminating an impression that the Entente hasbeen offered and has rejected reasonable terms:

On thoir merits the peace proposals are manifestly not entitled to serious consideration. They, in effect, represent the attitude of a powerful master chiminal at bay proposing that he should be allowed to go free, h'ia'vict'nis unavenged, and the havoc ho has dono unrestorod, and with nothing to restrain him from resuming his criminal proceedings at the first convenient opportunity. Germany is asking for a peace under which she would loso nothing, while- those she has wantonly plunged in ruin and desolation; the countries she has ravaged with unspeakable brutality; the horrors she has inflicted with inhuman callousness arc to be ignored. She proffers no redress or reparation, aud she asks Britain and her Allies to break their pledges to the smaller, nations as Germany herself has done and would do again if opportunity offorcd. But further than this, such a peace as she stipulates for would leave her a tolerably firm hold on Lhe Balkan corridor, and Turkey, retaining Constantinople, would remain ber good servant and vassal. Thcro is no need to waste ■words over peace* proposals of this nature. Whatever the motive that may havo prompted them they arc an'affront to the Allies. Wo may apply to the present occasion a declaration made some time ago by General Joffeb: "Peaco to-day would be a crime," No sound or

lasting peace will bo possible until the Allies dictate Ilia terms, and it ia a matter for unmixed congratulation that in all the leading Entente countries of. late there has been a pronounced movement, by political changes and otherwise,, in the direction of throwing added vigour and resolution into the prosecution of the war. This is the right and appropriate- response to the arrogant bombast of Bethmann-Hollweq and the Kaiser. It would almost seem from the recent political actions of Russia, Italy, France, and Britain, tihat tie vnovo now made by Germany was known to be coming, and that it was forestalled and frustrated so far as its influence on the Powers named is concerned. The answer to the German peace proposals is to be found _ in_ Mr. Asquith's solemn declaration in the House of Commons on February 23 last;

We shall never sheathe tho sword, which wo have not lightly drawn, until Belgium—and I will add Serbia—(cheers) —recovers in full measure all aDd more than nil which sho has sacrificed; until France is adequately secured against the menace of aggression; until the rights of the smaller nationalities of Europe are placed upon an unassailable foundation, and until tho military domination of Prussia is wholly and finally destroyed. (Loud cheers.) To the faint-hearted, Germany's peace-kites should afford encouragement. Docs anyone believe that Germany would mako peace offers _or oven talk of peace it all was going well with her and her allies in tho war 1