Peace Talk.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 45, 18 September 1918, Page 2

Peace Talk.

SECOND EBlTlOtt Continued.

AMERICAN SENATOR LODGE. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Oal>l>' Association. (Received 1.15 p.m.) Washington, September 17. Senator Lodge added: Germany must abide by the decision of the sword, to which she appealed. She cannot l>e allowed now to bargain for a decision.- Germany must discover that the free law-abiding peoples must for the future be allowed to be free and law-abiding, living thoir lives peaceably. The Tinted States asks no more than this, and will not be content with less. FINAL TRIUMPH COMING. GERMANY'S DELUSIVE .OFFER "Germany's j..u:.;t peace offer still shows the cloven hoof," said the Hon. T. M. Wiliord, ill a lecture ill Wellington on Monday night (reports the Dominion). "The rulers of Germany must lor their own safety preserve among their people the delusion that Germany'was the attacked, and not the attacker, in this war. The making of any offer except that based on victory would mean the awakening of the German people and the end ol the Hoheny.olieni and the Hapsburg. and the end of military rule. Just as tlu* war party began the war with the legend that they were attacked so they must, if possible, remain masked to the end.

"There would be a speedy peace on our terms if Germany as a whole understood, but she does not. When the war broke out, the iron curtain of censorship descended and enclosed the Central Empires. The steel logic of necessity leaves the junkers no option but to fight on hoping that our civilians will waiver in their determination to stand firm and resolute. A peace based on a lie will never stand. An admission of the truth would end junker rule. Any peace offered by Germany must guard against the great awakening. "The latest terms offered by the Central Powers are made for refusal in order to keep the Germans fighting in the hope of something—they know not what. If an offer of peace was based upon an admission of the. 1 real

state ol' things the Central Power? would need to admit lying, deceit, and wilful perversion of facts, and would be torn to pieces by the mob. They know that. The offer is therefore made in the form published, not lo save the 'cannon fodder' of tiermany, but to save a section of, Germany, namely 1 ; the military class, at the expense of the rest of Germany. "Self-preservation is still the first law of nature. Official, statements and fictions at present stand in the way of peace negotiations, but thert. will come a day. Changing Chancellors does not change systems. Tin's the War Lords think Ave do not see. Even if Heir Scheidemanu, the menial of Bethman-Holhveg, wore to offer terms the system would be the same. Germany must get away from the idea that she.is the victor because we have not yet conquered her. Any admission that Germany was losing made to the German people would mean the fall of the Kaiser and his horde from the high estate. They are simply powerless to make any such admission. "In conclusion, let there lie no talk of peace parley now that Victory beckons to Valour across the wastes of war. After that victory the Grand Ensign of Liberty will fly once more over a world at peace. The braggarts of "Berlin have had their day, and they know their end is fast approaching; and while the ramparts of freedom have been proved to be impregnable, only a people's peace can recompense the agony of war. No easy victory is in store for us"; the final triumph will be dearly purchased with, the blood of our bravest and best, with the tears of our women, and with many precious drafts upon the Bank of Life. The dog-liko subservience of the Hun is showing signs of doubt. If it changes the Central Powers will cry for pence at any price. Let peace when it comes be founded on truth, not falsehood, and it may then be found that there is one tbing that has been conquered in this world war—and that is war