Evening Post. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1916. NOT A TIME TO TEMPORISE

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 90, 13 October 1916, Page 6

Evening Post. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1916. NOT A TIME TO TEMPORISE

Behind a characteristic screen of brutality and bluff, Germany appears to be straining every nerve to secure peace. When the American Ambassador left Berlin a fortnight ago it was understood that he was carrying proposals from the Wilhelmstrasse to Washington with a view to inducing President Wilson to mediate. But as a prelude to the message which Mr. Gerard was to deliver, the submarine TJS3 arrived at Newport News a few days ahead of him, dramatically delivered a mail for the German Ambassador, then retired beyond the three-mile limit and set to work torpedoing British ships. The sensitive nerves of Wall-street were shattered. German agents published a modest little programme for the U63, which included the sinking of nine liners ranging from 12,000 to 24,000 tons. It was clear that the British flag was to be swept off the sea, and discriminating patriots in Berlin could, see that by the end of the year Britain would be starved into surrender. Germany's dominion over the waves was now even more complete than it was on the day after her marvellous success in the Battle of Jutland. For the special benefit of the Americans it was even suggested that one of her stray torpedoes might possibly give the vessel that carried their Ambassador its quietus. There would have been a dramatic propriety in such a catastrophe of which the world had no conception when the voyage began. It was as a dove of peace that Mr. Gerard had left Berlin, but while he was still en route and eoincidently with the tremendous display of German naval power off the Nnntuckftt Shoato come the. announcement tji&t Ma-. Gerald's miawtfl >"«as i'ealiy .«*

i a different character. Germany had again been misunderstood. It was not peace but war that the American Ambassador had been instructed to discuss. Not peace and good-will but more frightfulness was what the invincible Germans had in view, and all that they asked of Uncle Sam was not that he should intervene as peacemaker but that he should stand out of the way for fear he might i get hit. Sucli was the startling transformation effected while Mr. Gerard was still in mid-Atlantic. The revelation was made almost simultaneously from Berlin, from New York, and from a press correspondent on Mr. Gerard's steamer, and it was admirably timed. If any yarn that suits Germany coujd not be started in three different places independently, simultaneously and in the very nick of time, she would not be getting full value for the £12,000.000 that she spent on her foreign press service in the first two years of the war. "The real purpose of the Ambassador's journey," said the message that came from his steamer, "is to a-ssure the Administration of the sure and rapid weakening of the German opposition to the resumption of ruthless submarining, and that deliberate preparations are being made to resume extreme submarine warfare." The Kaiser would far rather not do it. His heart still bleeds for the Lusitania, and he has the greatest respect for President Wilson, but the rest o£ the British mercarotile fleet must follow the Lusitania and hundreds of American passengers must share the fate of those on the Lusitania unless somebody hold 3 his people back.

Proof positive of the truth of the story is supplied by the announcement to-day that the German Chancellor's opponents are in a majority in the Reichstag though unfortunately that assembly has adjourned before the matter could be put to the test. It is really one of the best performances of the war—the Kaiser and his fuglemen whistling to keep up their own courage and that of their faithful followers, proclaiming that they are unable to hold the people back, imploring President Wilson to lend them a, hand in the work, and threatening Mm with terrible consequences if he refuses. The whole business reflects great credit upon the German skill in stage-manage-ment, but it will not convince or terrify reasonable men. The German-American Staats Zeitung hits the nail on. the bead when it says that "the time to talk peace, if we meam and believe in peace, is now; otherwise, we should for ever after hold our peace." The time for Germany to get peace is now, or she will for ever after suffer from the mightiest reverse that ever befell a powerful nation. Her hour had struck, and we all know it. For that reason the British Empire stands solid behind Mr. Asquitli when he says that "this is not the moment for faint hearts or wavering counsels." It is not a time for faltering or temporising or talking peace. It is the time for pushing right on and driving the bayonet right home.