The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1916. IMPOSSIBLE PEACE PROPOSALS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 17, 14 December 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1916. IMPOSSIBLE PEACE PROPOSALS.

That Germany has been for a long time looking to America to act as a friendly mediator m fclie endeavour to secure peace on the best possible terms is pretty well understood and it is not surprising that the first notification of Bethmann Holhveg's latest and much-moderated proposals should therefore come through an American channel. The United States is regarded as the greatest of the Neutral Powers and if she had used her position to firmly insist that the laws of humanity must be observed 1 it is very probable that Germany would have abstained from some of the later crimes so ruthlessly perpetrated. But until threats to cease diplomatic relations unless asrttiances to behave better were give;:, and "serious discussion" with Berlin regarding shameful atrocities have merely brought humilia'ion to America and evoked nothing but scorn and contempt. It is only a few days ago since Germany, in flat defiance of all protests, issued a threat of ruthless general submarining qf all merchant ships, in a desperate effort to cut off Britain's food supplies. That this threat is largely bluff, appears evident from the proposals now made for neutral mediation with, of course, President Wilson in the lead, though he does not at this moment appear at all anxious to make any "move that may bring upon him a charge of unwarrantable and entirely unwanted interference, and, according to a New York message, merely transmits the proposals from Berlin "without comment." Probably the statement made that Mr Lloyd George having the organisation lov a| great offensive is determined to re-1 solutely pursue the war, is very near the mark, and there is good reason to believe that the other Powers included in the Entente are of like mind, for it would be simple disaster to allow the war-maker, ravisher and dcspoiler to escape on the terms he j himself proposes. With true Gei--, man cunning the world is told thai j "the German Empire is not a he-J seiged fortress, but a gigantic disciplined camp with inexhaustible resources," and while Germany persists! in that view and still proposes to im-, pose the German will on the Entente, ( to talk of peace is preposterous. The New York .Sun's view that while Germany is scheming for peace, the Allies "are steeling themselves lor war" indicates how, even in A me-.

ica, the impossibility of the situuion strikes all but Germans. A very arious phase of the present d.-vl >;> .Mill is the very casual refer- „.,. m or remarks by. the Kaiser.

who in those latter days appears to have been set well in the. background. It is now Hindonhurg or Hollweg who is interviewed, or who makes speeches and proposals. It is also singular to note that though very little regarding internal Germany has been allowed to beeOme kv.bwnjpr a long time pa.t . when it suited the' Government's schemes to uVo theworld's, press for a [turpi ■ ■■• worldwide publicity i* eunniugly obtained. Cterman organisation is, in this re spect, as wonderful as it has proved in others, though quite as trickily unscrupulous. To read one day of uermany's food plight, facts regarding which have unofficially become known, and to compare with it the strictly official glowing story of "firm foundations" for Germany's economic needs, is interesting, It cannot be seriously imagined that Germany dare hope for the peace now prayed lor, but to placate the people, to impose on neutrals, and to in the future be able to lay blame for the

continuance of the war on the shoulders of the Allies, is doubtless considered to be a useful move in the desperate, game which Germany is placing. I