The Dominion FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1919. THE SIGNING OF PEACE

Dominion, 14 March 1919, Page 4

The Dominion FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1919. THE SIGNING OF PEACE

Is spite of the rather disquieting messages suggestive of possible differences .among the Allies as _ to peace terms and after-war relationships good progress would seem to have been made with the peaco proposals. One message to-day •from Paris is particularly encouraging in the hope it holds out of an early agreement on tho peaco terms. The arrival in Franco today of President Wilson will, it is stated, enable the peace proposals to be presented to Germany within a few days time—the 20th of this month is suggested as a possible date—and assuming that this expectation should bo realised important happenings affecting the whole of the nations concerned should quickly follow. With tho signing of pcace tho first practical steps on the part of the Allies to check the spread of Bolshevism in Germany and Austria will be made possible. The struggle which is being maintained by the Spartacists against tho German Government is greatly assisted by the suf-' fcrings of a large part of the population through food scarcity and the general disorganisation of trade and industry following on the defeat of the German armies and the overthrow of the old German regime. Hungry people with no immediate prospect of relief, and faced with a dark future, become ready recruits' to the forces of disorder. In spite of the messages reporting successes of the Government troops in quelling rioting and disturbances, designed to upset the existing party in power, it is obvious that the disorders which have led to almost continuous fighting are as widespread as ever, and there is a danger that they may extend still further. With Austria in an even worse plight, unless relief is given the whole of the Central Empires may be thrown into a state of turmoil and anarchy rivalling the condition of Russia. It has been made clear that the Allies are ready and prepared to supply Germany and Austria with largo' quantities of foodstuffs the moment pcace is signed. The position of Austria is so desperate that some supplies have already been forwarded to relieve the most necessitous cases there, but in the case of Germany it is required that the German Government' should first submit to the terms to be' imposed ! before any help is i given. In the circumstances the sooner the peace j terms are agreed on tfto better it will be ,for all concerned. It will end the suspense in which the people of the defeated nations have been kept, and by enabling a sufficient supply of food to be distributed amongst them, remove one of tho most potent causes of the disorders which are spreading death and devastation throughout the country, imperilling the security of adjoining nations. The signing of pcace, too, will have an important influence on the internal affairs of the Allied PowThe statesmen of the different nations who have been meeting, in Paris will still have much to do in union, but tho. main burden of their task will then have ncared completion. They will in consequence be enabled to devote more attention to the tasks which confront them within their own borders. Our own political leaders, whose absence from New Zealand has had a hampering effect on the activities of tho National Government, will presumably be enabled to hasten their return to the Dominion. This is most desirable. Tho very general discontent' which prevails owing to conditions arising. out of the war is aggravated by the uncertainty which exists regarding future political conditions. It seems to be generally recognised that tho National Government as at present constituted cannot hang tog6ther owing to differences between the two party leaders. There is, of course, the possibility that cither Mr. Massry or Sir Joseph Ward may accept a position on some Imperial body, in which case it might be possible to fonn a new Government on coalition lines. But, at tho present time, though the need for strong and capable leadership was never more urgently necessary, the country is compelled to mark time and await the development of events with what patience it can in a state of complete uncertainty as to what the political future may hold. It is not surprising in the circumstances that there should_be i movements afoot for the formation i of now political parties. No one can question that it was necessary for Mr. Massev to attend tho Peace Conference, and Sir Joseph Ward in the conditions which exist no

doubt thought himself entitled lo accompany the Piume Minister there; but the sooner they arc able to return and the existing state of affairs is ended the better it will be for the country. We do not mean to disparage the work of the remaining members of the Cabinet. They have carried on the tasks allotted to them quite as well as could b.> c.vpcotccl in the ciraimslanccs, but in the absence of the two leaders they have not tad that full freedom of action in policy matters which would have enabled them' to act as their judgment dictated and eircumstanccs warranted. The signing of peace may not mean that our representatives to the Peace Conference will he immediately freed to attend to thniv duties here, but it should hasten their return.