THE CRIME OF PREMATURE PEACE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2613, 8 November 1915, Page 4

THE CRIME OF PREMATURE PEACE

A few days ago it was stated that the American Ambassador had been discussing the possibilities of peace with the Kaiser' himself. • This was followed by mysterious hints connected with the visit of Phikce von Bulow to Switzerland. Tho Prince appears to have allowed tho Swiss newspapers to represent him as the bearer of an olive branch, and we are told that the general impression is that Germany is seeking for an opening to an armistice with a view to entering upon negotiations with the Allies. It would be a mistake to place much reliance on these hints and "general impressions;" except as significant indications that a peace movement is being engineered from some undisclosed quarter. These rumours aro probably part of a carefully organised campaign with the object of inducing neutrals to put pressure on the Allies in the hope of, bringing the war to an early close. At one timo tho peace talk breaks out in the United States. Then there is a lull, and we next hear that the Vatican is taking action. But nothing definite happens. Suddenly the movement makes a stir .in Holland, or Sweden, or some other neutral State. At present Switzerland seems to bo the centre, of peaco activity. It is all vague and intangible, but it is by no means purposeless. The widely accepted view that tho ultimate source of these rumours is Berlin is no doubt correct. The nature of some of the reports which have gained currency shows that they are largely based on financial considerations. Some months ago it was stated that leading Gormtln bankers had warned the Kaiser that_ Germany's financial stability was in jeopardy, and about tho time of the fall of Warsaw it was asserted that a "very important German financial group" wished to sound Russia on the possibility of peace. The latest report is that the Swiss bankers have been confidentially informed that leading German financiers are unitedly pressing the German Government >to negotiate for a settlement as soon as Constantinople is reached. They claim that Germany's maximum offensive will then have been attained. Tho idea, of course, is that if the German armies should succeed in. fighting the-ir way to the Turkish capital tho Kaisek and his Ministers would bo in a very favourable position for making a good bargain with the i Entente Powers.

There are indications that powerful financial influences are secretly endeavouring to induce the belligerents to come to terms. The ramifications of modern finance aro extremely far-reaching and intricate. It is a great international The money interests of Britain, America, and Germany aro interrelated in many subtle ways, and they provide a- channel through which powerful pressure may bo brought to bear on Governments. It is quite possible that an effort may bo made from this quarter to shake the determination of Britain and her Allies _ to make this war a fight to a finish. The operations of British finance and commerce are so vast and world-wide that in Britain's case the temptation to assent to the crime of a premature peace might come in a peculiarly alluring form. We must ever be on guard against tho_ danger of being bluffed into aequiesccnco in some inconclusive settlement, which would simply mean that al 1 our sacrifices in blood and treasure would | be vain and fruitless—that we would have to fight Germany again, and probably under less advantageous j circumstances. This danger lies main- 1 ly within our own nation. In a striking article in the Nineteenth Century, entiled "High Finance and the Danger of Premature Peace," Mr. Edoar Ciummond, a well-known English statistician, warns the British, public against being deceived by Teutonic bluff, backed by world-wide financial interests. Th • Kaiser and his advisers will no doubt make all the use they can of the feeling that it, would be against the interests of "High Financc" throughout the world that Germany should,be crushed because many profitable channels of intercourse between various countries would be eliminated. Mr. Crammond is therefore convinced that "High Finance" in Great Britain, America, and elsewhere will endeavour to save Germany from a smashing defeat in order to conserve their own financial interests. : After pointing to the frightful losses which Germany has ■ sustained without being able to obtain a decision in any theatre of the war, Mr. Crammond declares that "we hold the winning position, and all we have to do is to stand fast with our Allies." We must resolutely set our face against any discussion of the terms of peace until we are in a position to dictate them.