The Dominion. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1914. PEACE AND MEDIATION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2261, 22 September 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1914. PEACE AND MEDIATION

A good deal of prominence has been given in our cable messages during the last few clays to rumours regarding the possibility of the restoration of peace in Europe and to suggestions concerning the terms of settlement. Some time ago it was announced that the United States was prepared to act tho part of mediator, - but the proposal does not appear to have met with the support of any of the belligerents. President Wilson is no.doubt actuated by the best of motives in his desire to see the war brought to a close, but the time to talk about peace has not yet arrived. Responsible British statesmen have declared quite definitely ■more than once that the present struggle is to be a fight to a finish, and only a day or two ago Mit. Winston Churchill informed a great recruiting meeting at Chatham ■ that "there will be no peace until Prussian militarism is pulverised and German truculence abased." This certainly expresses tho feeling of tho overwhelming majority of Britishers in all parts of the world. The Allies have resolved that they will act in concert to the very end of the conflict, and will also co-oper-ate-when the time comes for..remaking the map. The British Empire is now in the thick of the conflict, and is determined to fight on, until Germany's arrogant attempt to he master of the world has been finally and decisively frustrated. The Allies are not at all likely togive seri-' ous attention to anything in the nature of a patched-up peace which would leave the Kaiser and his visers in a position to renew the struggle at some more convenient season. We are told that a section of the people of Berlin is already clamouring for peaco, and that mob riots have occurred in Vienna. These happenings may mean much or little; but there is certainly considerable significance in the fact that two- leading German newspapers have been discussing the conditions on which the sword might be sheathed. It is also stated that the German Chancellor has had conversations with_ the American Ambassador on this subject, though President Wilson only regards the discussion as incidental to his offer of mediation. If it is true that the Chancellor suggested that the United States, should first ascertain the attitude of the Allies, not much encouragement is likely to be obtained ■from that quarter. Reuter's Washington correspondent states that the President has practically abandoned his peace endeavours. Whether this is actually so or not, it may be safely taken for granted that the Allies are not in any mood to respond to suggestions for mediation. It is'not surprising to find that the British Press ridicules the talk of peace. One German newspaper declares that Germany will not accept peace proposals that do not give her full indemnity for her sacrifices, while another states that she will not lay down her arms until assured that her position in the world will be improved. Such statements as these show how absurd it is to seriously consider terms of settlement at the present stage. The conflict must bo carried to a definite conclusion. To break it off in the middle would mean that after a few years' rest for breathing time Europe would be once again thrown into a state of turmoil. The issues at stake can never be decided by negotiation and compromise. The German War' Party is so completely committed to a policy of aggression that there can bo no lasting peace until Ger-' many receives a_ smashing blow, The sense of power, in individuals or nations, is a very dangerous thing unless it is accompanied by a corresponding sense of moral responsibility. Tho contemptuous disregard which the Kaiser's Government has shown for the rights of other countries has convinced the Allies that they must now crush Germany or be crushed by her. The timo for compromise has gone by. In any case no reliance can' be placed on German promises, and the Allies would be foolish indeed to give their astute enemy the chance of waiting and watching for a more favourable moment for embarking upon a war of revenge. There is an impression in Russia that Germany will wait for some isolated successes with the view of making a bargain for bearable peace conditions. It is quite probable that the Kaiser now realises that his daring bid for the overlordship of Europe is doomed to failure, and it is not at all unlikely that he and his advisers are looking for a chance of escaping from the full consequences of their mistakes and misdeeds. They would be more than content with a settlement that , would leave things as they were bc-

foro the war began. We are told] that they will not listen to any proposal for dismemberment or for the concession of Alsace-Lorraine to France, and that they demand the recognition of Germany's right to maintain her army and a navy sufficient to safeguard her overseas commerce. This, of course, simply means that the war must go on, and when the proper time comes tho victors will make their own terms. If the Allies are successful—and their prospects are improving every day—Al-sace-Lorraine will certainly have to be restored to France, and Britain will undoubtedly take effective steps to close that new chapter of German history which was opened by the Kaiser in his memorable words, "Our future lies on the water." Germany will probably have to seek a future somewhere else. As regards her huge army, which has been a menace to Europe for yeai's, we are told that the Allies will press on with the conflict until the complete downfall of German military might is secured. A fight to a finish seems to be the only way of establishing the peace of Europe on firm and lasting foundations.