The Dominion THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1915. PLAYING FOR A DRAW

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2490, 17 June 1915, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1915. PLAYING FOR A DRAW

The views expressed by Herr Harden in the article in Die Zukunft (a summary of which appeared in our cable columns yesterday) is a striking indication of the change which has recently taken place in the tone of the German Press. In Germany the Government exercises a strong influence over tho political comments which appear in the newspapers, and alteration in emphasis or point of view is constantly made as the result of direct, or indirect Ministerial inspiration. What is tho meaning of Hekr Harden's declaration that the formation of a National Ministry shows that Britain is at last awake ? Why has he chosen the present moment for warning his countrymen against under-estimating or misunderstanding their enemies, and for asserting that Sir Edward Grey did notpromote the war? Hitherto the full force of German hate has been directed against tho British Foreign' Minister. He has boon accused of the most cold-blooded Machiavellianism. He has been regarded as tho arch-enemy 'of* Germany, and the German Press has insistently contended that ho was the real instigator of the war. Now Hekr Harden tells us that Sir Edward Grey "strove for peace." What is the reason for this new note which has been struck in Die Zufainftl One can only speculate on such matters, but it looks as though' Mr. Hilaire Belloc was not far wrong when he indicated some two months ago that Germany is playing for a draw. This docs not mean that there is likely' to he any abatement in the vigour with which she is conducting the struggle. On the contrary, she knows that she will have to fight with all her might in order to bring >l draw, or any inconclnsive result, within the range of possibility; and she is also well awa.ro of the desirableness of putting herself in a position to make the best use of, any opportunity for bargaining that may occur. Mr. 'Belloc has pointed out that the directing military mind 'of the enemy has decided that victory in the original sense is now quite impossible. It therefore wishes for peace upon terms that will leave Germany almost as strong in proportion to her neighbours as she was before the war began. Public opinion in Germany is being prepared (says Mr. Belloc) for a corresponding movement of opinion on the part of the neutrals, and perhaps of certain elements which the Berlin authorities believe they can find among the Allies. Any movement of this character ought to be resisted to tho uttermost. When Germany considers the time is opportune for securing a truce all sorts of seoret influences will be set in motion with the object of dividing the Allies or of gaining the help and sympathy of pacificists in all parts of tho world. The British _ Empire must resolutely refuso to listen to any talk of peace until the enemy has been so thoroughly beaten that the Allies will be in a position to dictate their own terms, and the world be given a guarantee of future relief from the dreadful menace of German _ militarism. It must be something more than a mere coincidence that words of peace should appear in two leading German newspapers about the same time. The Tageblatt goes much further than Die Zuhunft. It states that German policy must do its utmost to bring about a speedy peace, and above all to prevent further.additions to the ranks of the Kaiser's enemies. It is decidedly significant that such a ■ statement should be made by a responsible journal. It leaves the impression that German diplomacy is making preparations in the hope of scoring a point somehow and somewhere. But these "balloons" and hints coming peace are apt to be very misleading, and some of thera are intended to mislead. They are nevertheless ' instructive. They are never meaningless. The difficulty is_ to discover their true meaning. What, for instance, is the real significance of the change in Here Harpen's attitude? At the beginning of the war no one was more bitterly anti-British than tho editor of Die Zuhunft. Ho declared that Germany's greatest foe was not France or Russia, but Britain. The overthrow of tho British Empire was her main aim. "Every German heart/' ho wrote, "yearns for a victory over England"—for the chance of hoisting the German Hag "on the narrow channel that opens and locks the road into tho ocean." Bub after the Kaiser's armies had been filing back from Paris and tho way to Calais had been effectually barred, Herr Harden began to change his tone. lu April last ho discovered Unit the economic life, the manliness, and the reproductive powers of the British .and the German Empires cannot be suppressed. He suddenly realised that "Britannia ncecb Germany" as a supplier and a purchaser of goods, 4s a- North Sea neighbour, as the warrior nation that ensures her tho subservience of Russia and Franco.. He assured his readers that Germany docs not need j or desire Egypt or India, Gibraltar, or Caps Town, Her deaireb "aro 1 directed towards other, latitudes."

This certainly looks like playing for a, draw. How far his views coincitlo with those of the German Government it is, of course, impossible to say, but. in view of the control which the Government possesses over the German Press, tho recent change in the tone of the newspapers gives support to the belief, expressed by Mil. Beli.oc that a critical turning point in the mind of the enemy lms been reached. The tuning of public opinion to another key has begun. This may be quite true, and yet it would be a great blunder to jump to the conclusion that Germany is practically beaten. She would probably be glad to accept a settlement which would leave things as they were before the conflict began, and it may be that she is seeking the approval and support of neutral Powers which are embarrassed by the war and would welcomo a cessation of • hostilities. But the Allies are determined to continue the struggle until the enemy has been decisively defeated Before "Germany consents to the humiliation of having to sue for peace she will fight on with. the grimmest determination and with all lier strength, until her enormous resources have been completely exhausted. There can be no real or permanent peace until Germany is crushed, and until then it is useless to waste time in discussing any proposals for a settlement. After all the sacrifices which Britain and her Allies have made, anything in the nature of a patched-up peace would bo ono of the most tragic follies ever recorded in history.