GERMANY AND PEACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16971, 3 October 1918, Page 4

GERMANY AND PEACE.

The full significance of Bulgaria's capitulation is as apparent to the people of Germany and Austria and Turkey as it is to the allied nations. No equivocation by the German censorship can confuse the vital fact that Bulgaria has abandoned the alliance because she regards its dofeat as inevitable. Her decision has been confirmed by Germany's own admission of impotence .to send troops to the aid of her allies, and by the positive evidence of her weakness on the western front. Panicstricken German cities are clamouring for ".desperate remedies;" the Kaiser issues hysterical appeals for a fresh sacrifice of blood and wealth," gives orders for " measures of far-reaching democratic reform," and promises "a decisive peaceoffer." To the Kaiser and ihe Fatherland Party, the repudiation of Prussian infallibility in the Balkans makes more urgent than ever the necessity for an armistice. They realise that the withdrawal of Bulgaria and the virtual elimination of Turkey will greatly increase the allied military strength in the west. And while defeat is thus made more certain, they fear no doubt the influence of Bulgaria's example, where an autocratic King, who committed his people to war, has been forced to abandon his throne. There is, indeed, reason for satisfaction at the turmoil in Germany, but the fall of chancellors and the rioting of crowds are not signs of repentance for the shocking barbarities of the past four years. , Germany has failed in her desperate effort to establish her will by. force of arms ) she will make even, greater- efforts .to win the, war by treachery and intrigue, and: in the next few months the people.of the allied nations will. be called upon,to resist fresh attempts to end the war upon a compromise. No faith can be placed in " democratic reforms"' engineered by the Kaiser, since they are intended, merely to cover the indelible stains upon' Germany's honour; no trust can be placed in the pledges of a Government which is still satisfied that it* violation of Belgian neutrality was justified by necessity,; no reliance can be placed upon the bonds of a nation which regards a treaty of peace as an excuse for spoliation. For any who still doubted, the conclusive defeat of Bulgaria and the . almost accomplished defeat of Turkey are proof that Germany and Austria are not invincible. No "decisive peace offer" from Germany can awaken any response unless it is in the terms of Bulgaria's submission— tional surrender. A weakening of resolution now would snatch away the victory that is within the grasp of the allied armies in the west, and allow Germany to escape triumphant from the penalties of her crimes against civilisation and humanity.