GERMANY AND PEACE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 23 July 1917, Page 4

GERMANY AND PEACE

The speech by the new German Chancellor which is reported to- . day shows that he has no thought of forwarding internal reforms or of making any radical departure, in war policy. It affords all necessary confirmation of the view that he owes his appointment to an attempt by the War Party in Germany to find a better instrument than Betiimann-HoIIjWEG, and that his endeavours will be centred upon keeping the nation (as a recent cablegram suggested) "under expectant restraint." There is littlo in the speech to suggest that the German Government feels it necessary to modify its war policy in deference to a popular demand for peace. Dr. Michaelis, it is true, spoke of peace, but in terms of studied arrogance which Vill give little displeasure even to the most fanatical Pan-Germans. Ho declared, in effect, that Germany would continue the war until she obtained peace on her own terms. Such an utterance is illuminating as indicating how little in the way of effective revolt underlay the political agitation recently advertised as a crisis. It shows also that the German people havo not yet awakened to the fact that their present rulers are leading thein to destruction. At the same time it is evident that Dr. Michaelis and those whom he serves are holding nothing in reserve against the day when such an awakening occurs. Since their power is based upon an ability to delude the people with false hopes of victory and a victorious peace, they are inviting catastrophe when these hopes aro dissipated. As a whole the Chancellor's speech is ill calculated to postpone the day of popular awakening in Germany. In particular it contains a very damaging admission in reference to the submarine campaign. The Chancellor, said that the submarines were doing all that was expected, and then at once contradicted himself by adding that hasty predictions that they would end the war by a certain date had created disappointment. To realise the significance of this statement as preparing the German public for a heavy ■ disappointment it is only necessary to recall that Hindbnuitiig not "long ago declared that victory for Germany depended upon her armies holding out until the submarines

had accomplished their mission of destruction.

This was a plain admission that Germany could only win tho war through tho agency of the submarines. In tho circumstances the Chancellor's intimation that tho Üboats cannot be depended upon to win the war by a certain date will be apt to awaken consternation. It is certain Hurt no such admission would have been made had it not been regarded as imperatively necessary to modify popular expectations'based upon tho submarine campaign. This admission would have been tho most arresting feature of tho speech but for tho fact that the turn events have lately taken in Russia gives particular significance to the Chancellor's references to peace. It is impossible to regard as addressed to tho Allies in general his shamelessly hypocritical statement that, "if the enemy abandon their plans of conquest and honestly wish to negotiate for pe'aco ." .• . we will hear what thoy havo to say." The answer which such a proposal demands is given by Sir. Edward Carson—in brief, that tho Allies will open negotiations when the Germans retire _ behind the Rhine and show contrition for having drenched so many countries in blood. 'It is tolerably certain, howover, that the Chancellor, under cover of a general statement, was addressing himself chiefly to Russia, or rather to those sections in Russia which have gono to insanelengths in asserting the doctrine, of "no annexations and no indemnities." In Germany Bethmann-Holl-weg's invitation to.Russia to consider a separate jieaco has been condemned as a tactical mistake. 'Critics of tho late Chancellor urged that thore would be much better prospects of influencing Russia by representing to tho Provisional Government that Germany was ready to make peace by agreement with all her adversaries without exception. Dr. Michaelis is apparently acting on this view, and it is possible that his speech may assist to intensify the disorders which threaten to throw Russia's military plans into disarray so far as this year is concerned. In several of its passages, the reference to ,tho Galician counter-offensive included, it has the appearance of being phrased to that ond. It is unlikely, however, that the Chancellor's obviously hypocritical professions will weigh appreciably, oven in Russia, except with fanatics who are already committed to a policy of peace at any price. _____