The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1916.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4353, 25 September 1916, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1916.

One of the most interesting war messages this morning is

A Probable Peace Plot,

that which indicates that the Huns may

again invite President Wilson to offer his services in the capacity of mediator with a view to arranging a temporary peace with the Allies. IVc may remind our readers that Dr. Wilson, in his latest .public utterances on the war, once again reiterated that the Tinted States did right in not interfering in European politics during the momentous nays which preceded the outbreak of the struggle. That, of course, is a matter which may well he left to the verdict of the world at large. But Dr. Wilson also recently remarked thar, when the time was reached for the restoration of peace, the United States would be called upon to play a most imooriant part in connection with the setting up of a new law of nations under which it would he impossible for war to be waged excepting with the sanction ot the great nations of the world. Dr. Wilson was, assuredly, taking for granted a 'possible state of affairs which it is to be trusted will never eventuate.

Why should tho Allies invito interference on the part, or tho United States on the matter of what teims of peace they will allow the Huns when the day of reckoning happens along? It is to he trusted that tho Allies will very politely toll Dr. Wilson (if he should be head of the United States nation when tho day of peace is imminent) that they are well ablo to settlo tho terms themselves. There can ho no question hut that the Huns have nob overlooked Dr. Wilson’s recent public utterances on the subject and wish to use them to their own advantage. At this stage of the war an armistice would suit tho Huns right down to tho ground, as it would enable them to readjust tligir own affairs with a view to a recommencement o£ hostilities. But that is nob the chief thing that the Huns would expect to gain in the event of an armistice being agreed to by the Allies. What they desire most of all is a slackening of further preparations on the part of the Allies and agitations amongst sections or the Allied peoples for a peimaiienf peace if it could now ho arranged. It is inconceivable that the Allies have not this important aspect of tho war always in mind. Dr. Wilson may have originated tho idea of a poaco plot with a view to using the 'Huns for his own ends In connection with tho forthcoming Presidential contest. Let the matter bo as it may: whatever tho exact origin of tho probable poaco plot it must and, we feel, will be discountenanced* by the Allies in no uncertain manner. As far as the Huns are concerned the time is not yet ripe for the holding of

mitted by them in instigating the war or into the barbaric crimes which they have perpetrated in the name of war. That day will come only when the Huns have, been beaten to their knees and the high-placed Hun malefactors have lost the eonlideimo of the Hun nations The discussion of peace terms with the Hohenzollerns is unthinkable. As for the claim by the United States to be consulted when peace is being arranged, it is also too preposterous to «foo listened to. The good name of American statesmanship’is, unhappily, a 'thing of the past. We feel that our readers will agree with the view of the “Glasgow Herald,” which journal recently warned the Allies that President Wilson and his Administration are at bottom too deeply sunken in their indifference to the immoralities of Germany, too pledged to tne view that remonstrance with the conduct of the war is not worth while unless there is a “cash basis” to it, to make any honest redeeming effort.