THE MINIMUM DEMANDS FROM FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3010, 22 February 1917, Page 5

THE MINIMUM DEMANDS FROM FRANCE

.WHAT THE .GERMAN PRESS IS SAYING. Tho German papers contain furthor' proof that the free discussion of war aims has suddenly been allowed, with an object'; and tho object is the creation of ■•public opinion favourable to tho ] Government's policy. The ' r Kohiischo i Vollcszeitung," the, organ of tho Catholic Centre, has a highly significant and characteristically casuistical article, which , in one breath assures Franco that Germany seeks no conquest in her territory, and in tho nest coolly proposes to. impose upon her a war indemnity and to tako away fromber tho famous, mining district of Briey. It declares: "We, in Germany, are waging no war of conquest upon France, who knows, or ought to know, that she can get \back her hapless villages and towns . . . without any further price in blood, if she will only renounce the mirage- of her revanche and abandon her dreams of conquests, in return for nothing more than those ponoossions which are' needful to safeguard us against a now attack." ; What are those After pointing out that while, accorcljng .to certain estimates, Germany's onfimies holding in pawn her colonies, representing a capital value of £100,000,000.-. Germany has in Northern France a mortgage worth £750,000,000, it proceeds to argue , ; . "Germany is in a position to demand as the redemption price for Northern .France: something more than ccicnics— this quit© apart from the fact that we are victorious over 'France, and can", therefore, claim from her damages in territory or money, or, rather, in territory as well as money. If, therefore, in addition to a war indemnity, wo were to limit ourselves to a demand for a better regulation of our frontiers no one wouldl accuse us of greed and exorbitant claims."

The precise nataro of the needful "frontier"rec I t'i2caMon" is next explained:

"The mining disWbt of Brier, in French Lorraine, which in its area is no more than a strip, no more than a rectification of the frontier, is important for our economic security and independence. Wβ need Briey in order to secure our supply of iron ore in time of war. . . . France will sus-

tain, no loss through this cession. She is, in respect of sea power, much more favourably situated than ourselves.and, in addition, possesses the rich mining districts of. . Northern France. If, we should return to her the rich coal mines of Northern France it is only fair that wo should keep Briey."

Can New Zenland develop the lobacoo industry? Why not?. The climate of Hawke's Bay produces leaf which in many respects is superior to the'imported artiole. But the matter is no longer a question, of doubt—Gold Pouch Tobacco, the new brand in the big 2Joz. pouch, demonstrates finally that the local product can hold its own, and in many ways is superior to any brand from overseas. Mild, delightful in flavour, cool smoking, and with far less Nicotine than the imported article, you can smoke Gold Pouch all day without burning your tongue or undermining the constitution, lloro economical, too—2-}oz. as against ljoz.' in imported brands. Why make our national burden heavier You do bo by buyinff American tobaccos. Try Gold' Pouch once, and you'll admit that it is what you'jo long waited for.—Advi.

When a French airman has brought Sown fivo German aeroplanes he ranks as an "ace," and is entitled to have his-name mentioned in the official communiques for further exploits. Only 20 airmen have so far gained this honour.

The auctioneers of th'e stock' of the "Dartmoor" Estate, Messrs. Hoadley, Son and Stewart, Ltd., Napier, announce that the sale has heen postponed until further notice .owiuii to the bad weather.

A farm of 120 acres, situated eleven miles from Wellington, is advertised for sale b.y Messrs. H. H. Cook and Co., 24 Oov street. ' p, '» property is subdivided into three'.paddocks, is well watered, and has a seven-roomed house and all conveniences and garden and orchard. Particulars are advertised in this issue.