The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1921. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1921. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Xhk failure of Germany to come forward with any satisfactory terms to assure reparation being paid at least in part to the-Allies for war ravages, has now come to the long-delayed climax. Allied troops are advancing further into German territory. Importtint cities are to lie occupied, and the great port of Hamburg also is to be placed under Allied control. A chain ii| customs houses is to be established along the Uliine, and the Allies are to adopt their own methods of collecting at least in part, some of the claim for wtir damages. Germany has played her cards well with the Allies, and has succeeded in duping them very successfully up to a certain point. Now Germany must realise that she must acknowledge defeat, and openly accept her responsibility for the war. The German delegation went to London bankrupt of practical ideas for suitable compromise, and without authority to temporise in any way. Germany was still sparring for time hoping to yet gain a more favourable way out of her difficulties than has presented itself. 'Die delegates might have notified the substance of their statement in adyance, and so saved time. Their whole demeanour signified the unpreparedness of Germany to meet the obligations which her defeat in the war carried in its train. The Allies are now taking action independently of Germany. It will be a more costly process to all concerned, but it is essentially necessary under the cii'eunistanees. After such a terrific war, it would be a crime to allow the arch-conspirator in the awful tragedy to escape lightly front any form of punishment which can be. made to lit the great horror imposed tifwit humanity by th ( , wtir. Germany has no right to escape any penalty which Allies (Sin impose legitimately, and it is the duty as it is the right of the Allies to see that all possible steps are taken to make Germany pay the utmost farthing for the immeasurable debt she has reared against herself by her own crass actions. The Allies by the show i f force now being made, will again firing home to the German nation a sense of their military and naval, deI feat. Allied troops in tho principal cities and naval forces in the chief port , will emphasise the fact of the defeat, and should assist to bring th 0 people of Germany to a sense of the position and some realisation of tho obligations in-

ettrred. Germany believes in the efficacy of force—or rather she did. For that reason Germany will understand the position all the better when it is impressed upon her by a show of force. As the spokesman for th,> Allies Mr I loyd George put the position

plainly to the German nation. He gave a very fair statement, without, rancour, hut with a note of determination which like the presence of the Allied troops should he impressive where most needed, For the moment matters are moving. and something is being attempted. The final outcome shbitld he that something definite in an advance towards a settlement will result from tin Allied action.