GERMAN "PEACE TERMS"—THEN AND NOW.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 113, 15 May 1916, Page 3

GERMAN "PEACE TERMS"—THEN AND NOW.

While the Allies may not be winning the war by the shortest route, they are undoubtedly winning. The Germans have told us this in unmistakable terms.

We do not agree with the cheerful optimist who does not see grave concern in the postiion. Undue optimism may well lose all we have gained. But the optimism which feels assured that victory is to be ours, if we leave nothing to chance, is to be commended, for .th e Germans have tol dus how things are going with them. Nearly two pears ago, when the German legions were pounding their way to Paris, the terms upon which France alone could have peace were laid down for the benefit of Americans on the following terms: —

1. The handing over to Germany of all the French Colonies, including Morocco, Algiers, and Tunis. 2. The cessicn of all the territory on Germany's western frontier up to

a line running from Staint-Valerie to Lyons. 3. An indemnity of ten thousand million francs (£400,000,000). 4. A commercial treaty allowing German goods free entry into France for a period of 25 years without reciprocity. 5. The suspension of recruiting in France for a period of 25 years. 6. The demolition of all the French fortresses.

7. The surrender by France to Germany of threee million rifles, three thousand cannon, and forty thousand horses.

8. The recognition of German patent rights in France without reciprocity. 9. The abandonment by France of every kind of alliance with Russia and England. 10. A treaty of alliance with Germany for a period of 25 years. A few weeks ago we learned that the terms upon which Germany was prepared to consider peace proposals were as follow: The return of the German Colonies. No indemnities on either side.

Polish autonomy. The partition of Montenegro, Servia, and Albania between Austria, Bulgaria, and Greece.

Russian control of Persia. German evacuation of France and Belgium. Contained in these six clauses, when compared with the rod in pickle for France in August, 1914, we find the measure of Germany's "victory." A year hence the spoils demanded will be even more moderate.

Germany has not admitted defeat yet; but if the Huns consent to any reduction to their original claims, we are justified in considering that all is not well with them.