The Dominion WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1915. ANOTHER FALSE MOVE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2459, 12 May 1915, Page 4

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1915. ANOTHER FALSE MOVE

With characteristic insolence and blundering disregard of world opinion the Germans have declared that Belgium has been added ' to the Kaiser's territories. ' Antwerp, we are told, has been placarded with announcements, declaring that the annexation was to be dated from May 5. In December last it was reported that this step was about to be taken, and Germany immediately found herself confronted with the embarrassing question of the status of Ministers of neutral countries accredited to Belgium. It was then stated that the German Government would cease to recognise the official standing of Consuls who had received authority to perform their duties from the Belgian Government, but Germany did not dare _ _ to press the point. Such a decision would immediately antagonise neutral opinion more than ever. , A demand, for instance, that the United States Minister to Belgium must present new credentials and be received by the Kaiser would amount to an affront which even the pacific President of America could hardly submit to tamely. Writing in December last th« 3 Washington correspondent of the London Morning Post expressed the opinion that such a proposal "would undoubtedly raise a tremendous storm throughout America." Since'then feeling in the United States has become much more hostile to Germany, and American hostility has now been carried to its highest pitoh owing to the ghastly crimes committed by the German forces on land and sea at the instigation of the authorities at Berlin. The recognition by President Wilson of the annexation of Belgium would be a direct blow at the prestige of King Albert, and would be regarded by the Allies as a most unfriendly act. Is it conceivable that the people of America would tolerate this 1. And if > not, what then ? Should .Germany force the United States and other neutral oountries to come to a- decision on this matter it would be likely to prove one of the biggest of the many big blunders the Kaiser and his associates have committed. An American official occupying a high position recently declared that no neutral nation would be justified in recognising the annexation of Belgium in view of the positive assurance given by Germany when war was declared that she had no intention of Belgian territory. This is stated in the plainest terms.in the Note delivered on August 4 by the German Ambassador in London to the Foreign Office, which reads as follows:— Please dispel any mistrust that ■ may subsist oil the part of the British Government with regard to our intentions by ■repeating most positively tlie formal assurances that, even in the case of armed •ionllict with Belgium, Germany will under bo pretoneo whatever annex Belgian territory. Tho American official referred to remarked that "unless this most positive formal assurance was merely another scrap of paper, how canGermauy explain , annexation, or how can any Government sanction it?" But who expects Germany to keep her word 1 It is, of course, nothing to Germany that Belgium has not yet been conquered; that the Belgian Army is still in the field fighting against the treacherous and dishonoured invaders. It is laid down that\ title resting on conquest is not complete 'until the invader possesses /he material strength' to malio his Conquest good, and Germany's bombastic claiifis ignore the fact that before Belgium can be conquered and annexed England, France, and Rutsin ,i!i. mtJI as pclj.inm mtmf. bn eel &ao! wuauovecl But Ast « bo-JL

side tho point which is of most interest at tho moment, which is tho I latest blunder of tho German Government in attempting to influence neutral nations. The purpose of this proposed annexation of Belgium is to impress the neutral Powers not only with a belief that Germany is able and determined to hold Belgium, but also to endeavour to overawe the world with another demonstration of her ruthless treatment of all who dare to oppose her. It is but a repetition of the blundering idea that the neutral _ Powers will submit to be terrorised into quiescencc; that they will in fact tamely condone almost any outrage' of the laws of honour and humanity perpetrated by Germany for fear of incurring the enmity of so terrible a nation. . The obvious conclusion | which neutral nations must, ultimate- ! ly arrive at is, that if Germany is prepared under existing circumstances to outrage _a]l the teachings and practices of civilised nations her triumph in tho present struggle would mean tho dragging of the whole world under the terrible thraldom of a monstrous tyranny too dreadful to contemplate. Thus overy step she takes in pursuance of her policy of "frightfulness," designed to overawe her enemies and intimidate the neutral nations, must force those nations to a clearer recognition ofi the peril which confronts them should Germany by any chancc emorge triumphant from this great war. Thus Germany is defeating her own ends in adding constantly to the list of those who desire her downfall, and who will,_ directly or indirectly, assist to bring it about.