The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12. 1916

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4368, 12 October 1916, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12. 1916

I)kki* interest is being aroused as to the exact nature of Mr. Cerrards the mission l>y Mr. Mission. Gerrard (American Ambassador at Berlin} to Ids home country. 1 wo views are out forth : One that lie will, on behalf of the Kaiser, place belore President Wilson a basis on which the Hums would be prepared to make peace; the oilier that lie wishes further instructions in view of the agitation in Hunkind for the resumption of ruthless submarining. \\ e do not think that there can he any real dispute as to the position. I he truth lies between these two interpretations of tin 1 object of his mission. When Mr. Gerrard goes to the A bite House President Wilson will assuredly want to know the official Hun view on the important question of peace. In reply lie will, doubtless, be told that the Huns would agree ta peace, or an armistice. on certain terms. These terms are certain to be based on the present war map and President Wilson will have no difficulty in arriving at the opinion that, from the point of view of the Allies, the suggested basis would ho impossible of being entertained, far less accepted. President Wilson may make counter-proposals—-proposals which will ho found to he a pure waste of effort. The Allies know that it would be a great world calamity if war were discontinued at this stage, with the Huns’ strength onh partially shattered. Such being the case President Wilson could not possibly frame proposals lor peace because if they suited the Allies they could not he acceptable to the Huns. Only an inmate of a mental hospital could suppose that the Hums would be likely to give up peacefully what they can compel the Allies to use force to obtain. This view of the position as regards peace opens up the more important question as to what Mr. Gerrard thinks should be the attitude in future of the 1 nited States towards the rival war parties. Without doubt the Kaiser has informed him that if peace is not possible on terms acceptable to the Huns they will, as au alternative, continue the war on the must ruthless linos, that is to say they will not even allow consideration for neutral countries to stand in their way. This it seems that through Mr. Gerrard the Kaiser is issuing a final challenge and warning to the United States. In brief it must amount to this: If America will not help the Hun Combine she will be prevented bv all means in the Huns’ power from allowing her manufacturers to assist the Allies. Mr. Roosevelt hits the nail right on the head when lie suggests that in sending submarines to operate in the West Atlantic the brazen Huns are giving the United States more than a gentle hint of the utter contempt in which they hold that great neutral republic. There

is assuredly method in this latest plan of operations on the part of the Huns. At the very least it is intended to inflame the largo Ol'O'lllin section Of tlie people of the United States. But is that all? We think not. It would appear that it is also intended as a warning to the Government of the United States that the Huns intend if possible to prevent further trading between America and the Allies. So sane person can have any doubt on this point: That if the United States wavers the Huns won’t take long in repudiating their former bargain to respect American citizens who may 'be passengers on Allied vessels. AVe believe that the Huns are able to sum up the American national character quite as well as the Allied people. Thev are now playing a new card—they are inviting more active co-oper-ation on the part of their very numerous sympathisers in the hinted States. President Wilson must, act promptly or civil commotion on an extensive scale may eventuate in the [’idled States. His attitude will, vve should say, depend on what -Mi'. Geirard informs him is the real position in H unland as a sequel to the war. If his report should he to the effect that tlie Huns will soon be exhausted —we trust such is the ease—President Wilson will, it is certain, not allow the United States to he brow-beaten by the Huns. Mr. Gerrard’s mission is clearly fraught with tremendous im--1 portanee.