GERMAN SOCIALISTS AND PEACE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3080, 10 May 1917, Page 4

GERMAN SOCIALISTS AND PEACE

The peace proposals which' the German Socialises have placed before the Russian 'Soldiers' and Workmen's Delegates are the most reasonable that nave yet emerged from Germany. For that reason they are the most dangerous. It is safe to assume that the purpose behind them lies deeper than is disclosed. The German Socialist Party of course has no authority to speak for Germany in the matter of peace terms, but it may be a very useful tool wherewith the Kaiser and von Bethmann Hollweg may shape their ends. Germany's purpose to-day is to detach Russia from her allies, or failing that to sow dissension in Russia, and render her impotent to assist her allies in the struggle. The peace overtures of the German Socialists are no doubt designed to assist the Russian pacifists and spread the id£a that Gormany is willing to offer reasonable peace terms. That Germany is not bound by the terms now put forward does not materially affect the possibility of <i great deal of mischief being dope amongst the iguorant and unthinking who arc anxious to end the war. The proposals will afford now material for Germany's agents and sympathisers in Russia to work on in their task of promoting dis-, cord and hampering the efforts of tho Provisional Government. In any other circumstances than those which exist in Russia to-day little concern might be felt over this latest German trick, for such it undoubtedly is, bufc in the state of unrest and division which prevails, with the extremists seeking to cast suspicion on those in authority, and tho wholo nation eagerly awaiting the bettered conditions expected from,the overthrow of autocratic government, the one universal desire is a peace which will enable, the people to freely concentrate their attention on internal reforms. That the Provisional Government will not be fooled by unauthorised peace proposals may bo taken for granted, but the Provisional Government is not over-firmly established. The best counter to the efforts of the German Socialists will probably bo found in the representations of the Labour organisations of the Allied countries and America. ' Mb. Samuel Gojipeks, the most prominent figure in the Labour world in America, recently sent a special message to the Soldiers' and Workmen's Committee; the Labour leaders of Britain have not pnly sent messages but a delegation; and the French Socialists have played their part in pressing upon their Russian comrades the urgent need of making the overthrow of Prussian . militarism the first gjreat task leading up to a free Russia—free to pursue her destiny as a great democratic nation unhampered by the menace of an overbearing and ruthless neighbour. Their counsels may outweigh the efforts of the German Socialists, and discount to some extent at least the use the Russian pacifists are certain to make of these- latest peace overtures.