GERMANY AND PEACE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17281, 23 September 1916, Page 12

GERMANY AND PEACE.

Official Germany is endeavouring to create abroad the impression that the Empire is carrying on a purely defensive stmgglo against enemies determined upon her destruction, nnd that she only desires an honourable poaco. As a matter of fact, however, nothing is moro characteristic of annexationist aims in Germany than the fact th.it, in spite of tho official prohibition of discussions on the war, they continue noisily to manifest themselves in the light of day, without interference from the censor. The " Deutsche Tageszeitung," Count Reventlow's paper, speaks brutally of conquests. The'more docile organs, at the bidding of the chancellery, such as tho *'Koelnischc Volkszeitung," say: "Wo do' not desire conquests, but guarantees. When a dyke has been destroyed a better one is constructed. It is built higher nnd farther out to sea." Prince von Snlm Horstmar was allowed to state, in the Berlin "Tag," that Germany must take possession of the coasts of Ffanders, unless she wishes to lose tho war. No censorship intervened. Baron von Zedlity, Neukirch, president of the Frec*;Oonservntive party, was allowed'to proclaim, on August 4. in the "Post," that Belgium had entered into the sphere of German power. Xo censorship intervened. Deputy von Bayer, president of tho Radical party, exclaimed on August t, in a speech at Prankfiirtam-Main, that it is impossible that Belgium should recover indepndence and her autonomy. This phrase was literally reproduced by the "Frankfurter Ze ; tun<r' on August 2. and on this occasion also nn censorship intervened. An important F«mi mannf"'r'turer wrote, in tho " Rheinisch" W<'ctfie!iseho Zeitmic" of Anen*t 6: "Belgium is to Wemno the vnssfd o f Germ"ny. if oim' country io vVtorioul- - to be nble to floc'de the rpjitter without rpTfir'! to jinvtbinsr bu 4 her "wn needs." No censorship inter vened.