"INSINCERE APPROACHES"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 308, 17 September 1918, Page 4

"INSINCERE APPROACHES"

The speech of tho German ViceChancellor stating tho peace terms of _ the Central Powers has been quickly followed by a direct and definite invitation from tho Austrian Government to tho Allies to participate in a confidential non-Binding discussion to be held at an early date at a neutral centre. In a Note to Jloly See Austria expresses tho opinion that an atmosphere has now been formed which no longer excludes* the discussion of peace. The Note further asserts that tho published peace conditions of the Allies wore based on tho supposition of an overwhelming victory, and have now been modified in speeches mado by Me. Balfoup. and Mr. Lloyd It is quite true that tho Allies realise that the just and stable peace which they arc determined to secure cannot be attained unless and until the Central Powers havo been decisively beaten, but their conviction that they can and will achieve an "overwhelming victory" has never wavered, and they are now more certain of it than ever. Mil. Balfour declared in May last that the whole world was passionately desirous of peacc on honourable terms, but he saw no symptoms that German public opinion had at any time contemplated the possibility of what we should regard as a reasonable peace. The terms outlined by tho Germah Vice-Chanocl-lor are very' far from what wo consider cither reasonable or honourable. They would certainly not, to quote Mr. Balfour's words, "secure the future of- the world and the freedom of those who are in danger of falling under German domination." Only a few days ago, Mr. Lloyd George asserted most emphatically that the only sure foundation for peaco was victory for the Allies. Ho has declared over and over again that there must bo no haggling with the enemy. '"We must, he says,' "impose a durable peace on, our enemies. Not only must Prussian military power be beaten, but the German people must know that their rulers liaye outragod the laws of humanity, and that Prussian strength cannot protect them from punishment." The Austrian Government seems to havo fastened on the British Prime Minister's remark that "peace must not bo dictated by extremists," but Mr. Lloyd George holds firmly to the view that lit must be dictated or imposed by, the Allies. In this resolve he is in perfect, agreement with President Wilson, who stated quite recently that "there can be but ono issue-. The settlement must be final. There can be no compromise. No half-way decision would be tolerable; no halfway decision is conceivable." The same determination to win the war right out was expressed by Mr. Churchill at the great Independence Day gathering in London. "Britain and America will stand together to the very end," he said. "Let our motto be: 'no compromise on tho main proposals; no peace at all without victory.' " Austria now wants to parley; she desires a confidential talk; she would like to make a bargain. In other words, she is striving to induce the Allies to agree to. a compromise and to be content with a half-way decision. She appeals to them in the name of humanity to put an end to the struggle. But the Allies would betray humanity if they stopped the war before Prussian militarism had been completely overthrown. Common sense compels us to regard Austria's proposal as part of the German "peace offensive." It wag no doubt prompt--reel by Germany with the object of placing the Allies in a false position, aiid providing material for the use of British pacifists. Its dishonest suggestions must be considered in connection with the German ViceChancellor's speech at Stuttgart, and that utterance simply means that Germany will only give up Belgium on condition that she is allowed to help herself to huge slices of helpless Russia. Austria's* proposal is one of those "insincere approaches" which President Wilson has expressed his. determination to reject. By these cunning moves the Central Powers are seeking "an opportunity to have a free hand, particularly in the East, to carry out purposes of conquest and exploitation. Every proposal with regard to accommodation in the West involves a reservation with t regard to tho East." These words of President Wilson have direct application to Dr. von Payer's latest peace feeler.