WAR GUILT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 23 November 1927, Page 8

WAR GUILT.

(To the Editor). Sir, —Whatever may be stated in the form of half truths, Germany was responsible for the war, and the majority of tile German people were anxious for tlie war to take place, as they were confident that it would be a brief and victorious campaign. There is proof sufficient for any reasonable person that it was Germany who rejected Lord Grey’s proposal for a conference, and insisted upon Austria maintaining unreasonable demands upon Serbia. Perhaps Russia was somewhat to blame for not pocketing further insults from Germany and refraining from any movement whatever to support the reasonable protests of Serbia It is absurd to blame Lord Grey, as he did not have a free hand. He had to work in the Liberal policy, and the Liberal party was in a divided. undecided, condition as to foreign policy. The Liberal idea seemed to be that peace could be helped by a refusal to commit Britain to any intervention in European warfare. It is doubtful if any Liberal declaration could have prevented Germany going to war, unless accompanied by a great increase in the army ready*, to be sent to France, which the Liberals would not have sanctioned.—l am, etc., R.H.F. Havelock North, 22/11/27.