GERMANY’S PEACE TERMS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1490, 28 December 1915, Page 2

GERMANY’S PEACE TERMS.

The German Minister for Finance is stated to have expressed the opinion that it is “still possible for Germany’s enemies to obtain comparatively easy peace terms.” Some idea of what these strange Germans call “terms” may possibly be gathered from a “latest special telegram,” circulated broadcast by German agents in China. One gathers from this “telegram” that Germany has won the war and dictated terms to the conquered allies. We are favoured textually with the RussoGerman treaty, which has been ratified. Russia is to admit Germany to equal rights in . the Siberian railway for 20 years and to pay Belgium’s “military expenses.” Germany is given the use of the naval harbour of Vladivostock. Germans are guaranteed freedom of trade and residence both at the ports and in the Interior of Russia, and, while Russia undertakes not to interfere in Germany’s political relations with the Far East, Germany assumes police control in those parts of Russia adjoining Germany. The Franco - German treaty, which, it is admitted, has not yet been ratified, is commendably brief. It enacts sjmply that “France and her possessions are to be coloured on the map like those of Germany, i.e., they are to become German dependencies.” Great Britain, it is stated, undertakes to raise no troops and build no ships for 20 years. Germans are to have free right of trade, travel, and reside in all British ports and countries. The cost of all American vessels sunk is to be paid for by the British

taxpayer; this proviso is described as “most important.” The policing of the entire United Kingdom is to be under German control. The German-Japanese treaty is the most drastic of all—the government of the whole of Japan being handed over to Germany, which will also control the Japanese army and navy, and exact a yearly indemnity from the Japanese taxpayers. All territorial tights formerly acquired by Japan from China are to be ceded to Germany, with the exception of Tsing-tao, which is to be returned to China. The AngloGerman and German-Japanese treaties, it is added, are “not yet ratified,” Comment is needless.