The Dominion. TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1915. FUTILE PEACE TALK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2440, 20 April 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1915. FUTILE PEACE TALK

Peace talk is once more receiving a good deal of prominence in our cable messages. On the present occasion the rumours are not quite so vague'and shadowy as previous reports regarding negotiations for a settlement. Out of the mass of unconfirmed reports it appears to be clear that communications have actually passed between the Pope and the President of the United. States with reference to the possibility of something being done, to bring the struggle to a close. . The President has expressly stated that the communications were not of a formal character, and that he is not aware, either officially or unofficially, of the terms on whioh peace might be made. The President's remarks, when read in conjunction with the interview which Karl von Wiegand, a GermanAmerican, is alleged to have had with the Pope, make it practically certain that His Holiness merely let the President know that the Vatican would support America in any step sho might be able to make towards peacc. It has been semiofficially donicd that a formal interview was given to Mr. Wiegand, and it is significant that the Vatican organs in reproducing the words attributed to the Pope omit the sentence in which His Holiness is alleged to have urged the President "to do nothing to prolong tho war." This was interpreted by some people as a hint that America should stop exporting munitions to the Allies. The Pope is well acquainted with the usages of diplomacy, and no clouht fully realises the difficulty and delicacy of his position as far as the war is concerned. It is not at all probable that ho would have made such an unguarded remark in course of conversation with a foreign journalist. Neither the Pope nor tho President is .likely to attempt to intervene until eitner has good reason to believe his mediation would be-acceptable to' tho principal parties concerned.. The circulation of peace rumours is part of the German method, and the notorious Bernstorff has been working it ■ in America- for all it is worth. He has been endeavouring to create the impression that Britain and France are ready to treat for peace, The matter has eyidently been, brought under the notice of the British and French Governments, for it is stated that they have found it necessary to assure the Washington authorities that they aro not prepared to contemplate peace until Germany has been completely. beaten. Notwithstanding this very decided rebuff peaco talk still goes on. A few days ago Herr Bamjn tried to convince an unbelieving world that the Kaiser's aims had been greatly misunderstood, and that he was really, a man of peace. Now Herr Dernburg comes forward to repudiate Bernhardi's celebrated alternative of "world-power or downfall." He declares.that Germany'never had any intention of securing worlddominion;. "she was much too modest for any such thintr." German diplomat's have tried to make the world believe many strange things, but this is perhaps the first time one of them has had the hardihood to assert that modesty is.one" of the national characteristics of his country. Was the Kaiser joking when he asserted a few years ago that "nothing must be settled in this world without the intervention of Germany and of tho German Emperor" 1 We all know that he is a man of many parts, but up till the present humour has not been regarded as, one of his strong points. , Trkitschke "modestly'' taught that "the sceptre of tho universe" belongs to Germany. Tho latest and most astonishing example of German humility is provided by Professor A'dot.f Lasson, of the University of Berlin. The following extract from a letter he recently sent to a friend in Holland helps one to appreciate the sardonic touch in Herr Dernui'iig's assurance that Germany is "much too modest" to entertain tha idea of worlddominion :

We are morally and intellectually superior to all j without peers. It is the same with our organisations and our institutions. . . . William II has always protected peace, riprht, and honour, although it would have been possiblo for him by his power to annihilate every-' thing. .• .- . His Chancellor, the most eminent among men who are at present alive, does not know any higher cares than those of truth, loyalty, and right. . . . Our Army is. as it were, the iinasc in miniature of the intelligence and the morality Of the German people. . . . We threaten no one so long as lie does not nttacS us. We do good to everybody. .. , The' European conspiracj has woven around us a web of lies and slander. As for us, we are truthful, ou> characteristics are humanity, gentleness, conscience, the virtues of Christ. In a world of wickedness wo represent love, and God as with usl

Tbo terms of peacc outlined by Herr Dernuurq arc about as "modest" and as reasonable as the contents of Professor Lasson's letter, and they need hardly be taken more seriously. Yet we are told that he professes to speak with full authority. If he really does state the terms on which Germany is prepared to negotiate, his announcement merely emphasises the private assurance given to tile United States by the British and French Gove'riimeiits that "peace was not couteinplalocl unless Germany was completely beaten.'' The suggestion that there should be an inter national guarantee of absolute, freedom of the seas to all nations is, of course, 'simply an insolent endeavour to deprive Britain of the advantages which she enjoys by reason of her naval supremacy. ITiyitii DxtixnciiC's terms differ from Ihose recently put forward bv Coi:nt Bkukstoiut, and which drew from Britain the prompt reply that it

frould bo waste of time to consider them. • A similar answer would be appropriate to the proposals which Herr Dernburg has now made "with full authority," though it is probable that the British Government may not think it worth while to take any notice of them. Not long ago it was stated that Germany was trying to make separate terms with Russia; at another time there were rumours that she was inclined to conciliate France; now we are'told that an effort is being made to secure a reconciliation with Britain. The purpose behind such suggestions is no doubt to raise suspicion and doubt amongst the Allies. It is quite certain, however, that Britain, France, and Russia will strictly adhere to the letter and spirit of their solemn covenant to act in concert until the war is over and the new map has been constructed.