The War by Intrigue.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 57, 30 November 1917, Page 3

The War by Intrigue.

Our well-informed Swiss correspondent, Mrs. Julian Grande, gives us an interesting account of a conference held in' Berlin with reference to the ■reply.to be sent by Germany to the ■Papal Note, states the Christchurch •"Fresß." She tells us that-it was modified, at the "last moment under pressure from the Pan-Germans and Junkers. She gives us a summary of the proceedings, of which no account has appeared in the German Press. Perhaps the most interesting and significant feature of her report is the statement by one member of the Junker party who assured the conference that before long Germany would have Italy as much disorganised as Russia. That was said, and Mrs. Grande's letter was written, at a time when to all appearances Italy was marching on from triumph to triumph against the 'Austrians. The same delegate is reported to have said that the Germans had thousands of friends in 'America, who before long would cause serious trouble in the United States, if they only held out. He concluded by baying: "We shall have all our enemies' countries so much disorganised that at the psychological moment we shall be able to step in and dictate peace on our own. terms." We have always held that the Germans wore even more 'dangerous in secret intrigue than in the open field. It is more than ever clear that if we want a lasting peace we must stiffen our resolution 'to listen to no proposals of peace until Germany lias been convinced of the folly, as well ns of the impossibility, of her ever succeeding in her mad and wicked schemes .to trample on the liberties of the .world.