Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY. MAY 25, 1917 PEACE AT A PRICE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY. MAY 25, 1917 PEACE AT A PRICE

The straws which indicate the direo] tion of the way of the war just now show a strong and growing tendency to peace at a price much below the level of that which the belligerents were talking of a few months ago. The trend at the present moment is to barter for peace which will b 9 pat a skeleton of what was once in the air. Germany ha 3 been persistent in laanchiDg her peace overtures as though she had a presoienoe of what was to come. In reality her peace offerings have been tempting the less robmt of the Allies for sorag time. The revolution and what followed in Russia has left that country almost indifferent as to the progress of the war. No sooner was the former authority deposed than we bad the cry of “no annexations and no punitive indemnities.” It is not hard to hazard a guess that this was promulgated by German spies or those in the pay of the enemy, and the cry has now become something of a peace principle oil which Russia is to agree to a basis of settlement. The moment Russia discarded her great ambition to control the Dardanelles, from that time on the mighty Russia has.bean a waning power in the progress of the war. Now comes the remarkable statement from tha French Premier practically supporting the Russian attitude, and wianing the sympathies of the United States. The Franco-Rassian Alliance was a very intimate one long before the war, and the two countries have long been in the closest sympathy, it can well be understood that Franoe has bben bled white in this great war, Entering quite nprepared for the titanic straggle it has proved, a new France was forged out of the nation to meet the enemy, and right gallantly has France fought. The odds were great and the sacrifices enormous, and now France is spent. The French Premier, too, pronounces for “ uo annexation and no indemnity ” —the oouucry which has been destroyed and demolished as it has been ! France would not be in this frame of mind unlesß the great sequence of events had forced such an ignoble conclusion to the glorious fight the nationhood has pat up, In fact France and Russia combined seem to hold ant to Germany the olive branoh of pesos at a price which should quickly end the European turmoil. It is hardly conceivable that however far Russia might act independently of her Allies, France would hardly be likely to taka the step she has without

acquainting Britain of tbe proposed statement’in advance. Yet it seems altogether inappropriate that these tangible admissions of spent strength and dooility, and even regard for tbe enemy, should be spoken independently by the Allies, and not by one as the mouth piece for all. The way of tbe war, of late, has been diffionlt to comprehend, but independent actions of thß character we now refer to, throw a good deal of light on tbe situation) and make ns more and more concerned about Britain’s paitand the task in the great fight which our statesmen have declared over and over again is to faa a fight to a finish. Peace at a price is rather an inoonclnaive peaco for those who were ready to fight to the last man and the last shilling, an*d the Empire will be anxious to know what our Statesmen leaders have to say of the new situation which is arising about them in what eppears to be the culminating crisis of the war. The French Premier seems hopeful that the Russian Army Will b 9 fighting very soon ! There does net apper to be natch ground for Bucb optimismIf Russia werß fighting this spring there would be no occasion at this juncture for M. Ribot to hold out the olive branch to toe enemy. Had tbs eastern and western theatres been occupied with the last round of the great conflict, as was devised by the military leaders, the enemy would have been suing for peace on qnite different terms to those which some of the Allied belligerent-! are prepared io make them, Yet, through all th's there is as yet no word vouchsafed of what Britain or her press think of ihe new situation which is arising. The’ silenje is ominous. It seems to be consent. If this be so, than we shall have what is largely a German made peace. How mnoh German intrigue is Rebind all this may be snrmised from the enemy concern for its col mial possessions at this stage. Germany has lost more in possessions than the Allies have in captured territory. Tit posseisioas t'lkeo from Germany in Africa are e-o. mous, and apart from 1 the native population affected, concern Britain the most closely. No doubt the recent confer,mce of visiting Colonial representatives discussed this aspect most intimately The war appears to be passmg from tbe field to the forum. Diplomacy and intrigue are to piay their part, and with these instruments the enemy have proved past masters, Never at any stage of the war have the circumstances , been so vir.nl as they are at the present moment.