AFTER THE WAR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 175, 19 May 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

AFTER THE WAR.

A well-known Frcmh writer, M. 5 1/ V Rosny, \Uio regards the defeat of tW* Central Powers as a certainty, discuses in "L'lilustratiou'' the results of the victories of the Allies. The peace negotiations, he thinks, will be extraordinarily difficult, delicate and complex. Gormanv will create every difficulty that trickery and cunning diplomacy can suggest, and .-.he will part with her territory only as a la*t resort. Gorn.any v.ill show la;.-) reluctance :n agreeing to the c-ssion of Austro-Huu-garian territory— as was indicated by Prince von Billow's mission to Rome—except where it affects the route to the Orient. It is not expected, however, that Austria will servilely agree to the cession of her territory The writ.'r considers that Turkey, unless she is invalided, will continue to be a dangerous element in the d'plomatic situation, and it is to Germany's interest to maintain the integrity of Turkey. But even greater difficulties may be criti;ed by the fact that five great Powers and a number of smaller ones will be seeking rewards for their share, in the victory. Italy will want a portion of Austria, and perhaps other grants; and France, recognising that Italy's in. tervention calk for eternal gratitude, will not bo inclined to deny the justieo of her claims. The demands of tho Italian population are urgent; 36 million people are crowded into a country very much smaller than France. The possession of Poland and Galida is apparently Russia's minimum demand. Slavism may demand other territories, particularly those taken by the Prussians, und the ancient Poland, now in three divisions, may be rebuilt. Further, Russia will not wish to have fought in vain in the Caucasus. Japan will never surrender the Asiatic territory she took from Germany; her influence in the development of Asia is great and growing. Britain is considered to have strong claims, but it is hoped that she will not prove too greedy. The South Air cans, who have captured, and are capturing, territory in Africa, cannot lie expected to surrender their conqucvfs: Brita'n's influence must also be very great in the disposition of Asia Minor. Then there are the claims of Belgium, Soma, Rouinania, Greece, among others; and ihp<o will all cause much trouble and heart-burning before the borders of the new Europe are fixed. The writer goes on to examine the internal condition of each nat : on in relat on to the postwar settlement. The moral tone of Fiance that has ben created by Mio war he consider; excellent. The nobility and self-sacrifice of the French, shown by the war, prove their claim to a high destiny. Great Britain should do much to regulate m future 11.e peace of Europe. She will work patiently to secure a durable pe-ico and unity among.the Slates of Europe, as .she has done in the past; but she must recognise now, .n the face of Teuton barbarities, that if complete harmony ii> to be achieved there must be a great change in the spirit of the Ge;man people. Hut the writer foresees that while Britain will enjoy much material prospuMy she will be torn by litter social-cr ses. By joining tho A I os, Italy fixed her destiny. She is a younj nation with a tremendous power for expansion, and France, her Latin sinter, will rejoice to sec her development, lier children have gone in great numbers to South America, and m that directum her influence will be great. But Italy is moro liable even than France or England to serious social cr ses. The situation in Russia is more obscure, incoherent and tr;v , gic than in the other States. The Iluss an.s have not reached the same stage of social development, and the prob!■.ms provided by the desre. for Polish autonomy, the presence of miilons of Ruthones in Gahoia and Bikowina, and on, si ions relating to F.nlaml, the .Jews and the Lithuanians, no less than tho growth of democracy and the desire ui the piople for better living conditions will provide the Russian Government with much einbarra-sment. The growth and development of th's groat Power must remain a menace to Germany. The writer, in conclusion, points to throe gtyai changes wh'oh are taking place outride of Europe. He thinks that te.e nations of South America will form a vast federation with a power and influence not dreamed of to-day. Japan, he believes, will complete the organisation of the Mongol world; v.hlo China, now in a condition of (boos, will throw off the yoke of the white man within fifty years, and become a formidable Power. Grave 'oei.il troubles will develop in the Fluted States, after a period of great prosperity, mill "the men of the trusts" will be dr.von out.