VALUE OF GERMAN PLEDGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16500, 28 March 1917, Page 6

VALUE OF GERMAN PLEDGES.

It is instructive to compare Mr. Wilson's diplomatic suggestion that a League of Peace would ensure the future safety of nations with the official statement of Washington that Germany's 'word cannot be trusted or her treaties depended on. The American President can hardly claim that the German leopard has altered its spots since he assumed that the aims of both parties to the war were tho same, for he had already seen in the United States now flagrantly the embassies and consulates of the Central Powers violate all international codes, while the original outrage upon Belgium was a crime that shocked the civilised world. It being no longer possible for Mr. Wilson to look the other way, he has no hesitation in taking all possible' precautions .for the protection of American workers in Belgium and against being entangled in new treaties which Germany would only keep when convenient. It is something gained to the world that we have this new frankness of speech and action even at this late day, for it will assist the American people to understand the truth about Germany and the attitude of the Allies to peace. Even Mr. Wilson can hardly make another plea for peace without victory" .after his Administration has refused to trust Americans to Germany'* promises or to consider Germany's treaty pledges as worthy of confidence.