AMERICA AS SHOCK-ABSORBER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15194, 14 April 1917, Page 4

AMERICA AS SHOCK-ABSORBER.

In an article written, in February, discuehing the possibility of America's in-, tervention, Mr Sidney Low suggests that the German Government was making a desperate attempt to draw America into the war because it saw inevitable defeat approaching. He says this would enable the Government of Germany to pretend to its own p'.'ople that it bad really won the war against its European antagonists, but could not continue to light the combination strengthened by America. "But/' continues Mr Low, •'there is' another way in which the active participation of the United States in the quarrel might prove extremely to the rulers of Germany, lb would be very much in their interest to have xlmerica represented at the conference table at wliich the peace would be arranged. . From their European adversaries the Germans knew well enough—even before the publication of the Allied Note and Mr Balfour's recent statement—that they had no indulgence to expect. We shall not be unduly revengeful; we shall not annihilate the German people; we shall be just; but we shall be implacably stern. After all that has happened, after the shocking crimes that have been committed, and the appalling losses inflicted, the outraged nations will be in n<> lenient mood when the time comes for settlement with savage and brutal aggressor. The United States, ns Lhe Germans no doubt hope, might prove more amenable. She will come to the council board in the somewhat detached frame of mind with which her statesmen usually contemplate European, politics, not specially enthuasiastic for the cause of the Allies, and perhaps a little disposed to sympathise with Germany as the under-dog. One can imagine how American chivalry will be invoked to deal generously with a gallant adversary ; how an idealistic President (not unmindful of the German-American vote) will be urged to oppose the vindictiveness of those of us here in Europe who do not intend to have to fight Germany for our lives a second time. All this would suit the diplomatists of the Wilhelmstrasse very well indeed. They cannot wish to be left alone, in the day of humiliation, with their present opponents. America would make a. very convenient shock-absorber, perhaps she might even be used 36 a lever to wrench the victorious coalition asunder, or at least to obtain easier terms for the vanquished. This seems to me the aspect in which the question might be pected to present itself to the Prussian ruling party. As a shock-absorber the United States is needed by a frantic German Government, balancing desperately on the brink of approaching national collapse and military defeat. But all this, as Mr T. P. O'Connor has been pointing but, is based on what may prove to be only another Teutonic misunderstanding of national psychology. America, if compelled, after long hesitation and reluctance, to draw the sword against, Germany, is not likely to fall in with the plans of the Berlin war-makers and peace-makers in the convenient fashion they expect."