The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1916. THE DESIRED PEACE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 211, 14 October 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1916. THE DESIRED PEACE.

(With which is incorporated The Ta! hapa Post and Waimarino News.)

The German Parliament has gone into recess for another three months. The Chancellor elect of the Kaiser is said to have a majority, but no man in Germany could fill the position at this stage of history and retain the confidence of a majority of the Reichstag for many days. In its dying hours the Government has put some men up to fire parting shots on the war situation, and it is not from the old Junker class, as hitherto, that they have been chosen with one exception, boasting had little prominence, and contempt for the Allies found next to no expression. It is not pointed out that the Allies are beaten and thai: Germany's victorious troops have overrun new territory, as early chapters in the Reichstag proceedings invariably did, most volubly and boastfully. Herr Bassermann, of the Foreign Affairs Committee, simply said that the situation was satisfactory and hopeful, but he had not in his ivA

final victory but merely the question of peace. The Government appreciated Constantino's attitude, and he stated his Committee had discussed submarining- but had come to no decision. That means of course that the question was to be left entirely in the hands of the Chancellor. The last speaker before the curtain fell was the noted Schiedomann, and he urged the Government to organise a strong defence with the endeavour to secure an honourable peace'—not final victory. These utterances made in the last hours of Parliament are indicative of the true position, and coupled with

the desperate efforts exerted on neutrals to rush in and save Germans from the birch they have so overwhelmingly merited, they are a clear admission that hope of final victory has no place in the German mind, as the Reichstag is prorogued. From Mr. Lloyd George's reply to criticism it seems that the Hun peace campaign might have worked incalculable mischief, and practically have left the road clear for a repetition of this war in years to come had he not made it clear from the outset that the Allies would have none of their peace, and that if there was any persistence on the part of neutrals it would be taken as an unfriendly act. Germany sees the collapse of her peace seeking and is now terrorising America into some action by extending submarine warfare rig' on the American coast. Whatever conditions this latest act of Germany's may evolve, it certainly cannot have

any bearing on decisive victory, aiu; the fact that men and money are beingthrown away on such tangents is <

of the many indications that Germany acknowledges her defeat. She may struggle against the inevitable, with the hope of finding some outlet for peace, but the Allies have shown and are showing a determination for final results of arms that will not be denied.

PROGRESS OF FIGHTING. Very little can be said ,of present progress of fighting, as great armies are still at each ether's throats, the struggle not having advanced far enough for either side to say much. A dearth of news from the Russian front for many months past -has preceded the winning of great victories, and hopes are permissible t hat the present scarcity means that the road to Lemberg will be opened, and tb German defence at Kovel will be shaken, if not broken. The Balkans furnish cause for most concern, but from present appearances that need be of no great depth. Roumania is threatened and Hindenburg is bent as much on a punitive mission as with any real hope of preventing the Allies winning the war. Germany is hungry, and

there are large stocks of corn and other necessaries which Germans are languishing and famishing for. It remains to be., seen—whether provision made by the Allies-is equal to stop--1 ping Hindenburg's pack of hungry dogs getting through the passes of the Transylvanian Alps into Roumanian storehouses. Constantine's attitude in Greece, which is appreciated in the German Reichstag, has been dealt a deadly blow. His treacherous career •has received a significant quietus. He

was entrenching himself and placing his navy in position for the assassin's thrust as the Allies moved in force against the Bulgar invaders of Greece, when the Allies interviewed him, made him hand over his navy, and French crews replaced the Greeks on all Avarships. Thirty-three ships, fourteen destroyers, six torpedoers, four gun-boats, and two submarines—probably presents from brother Wil-helm — were surrendered and have been hand, ed, in all probability, to the provisional, or revolutionary government, to be used as Venizelos wills. Treacherous defences, railways, forts and batteries overlooking the sea where the Allied and Greek navies now lie, were all taken possession of, and the latter entirely disarmed. Constantine's next move will be interesting, so will that of the Allies. If lioumania is very hard-pressed something will have to happen quickly to prevent a disaster, but this does not appear to be the case, as there is only trouble on the left flank and centre, while (..he right Roumanian flank is proceeding on its

J victorious career from Orsova in the ! direction of Belgrade. On the wtst front sparring and much aerial work is proceeding from B'elgium to Alsace. Weak spots are being sought out by the Allies and attacked, to prevent the Huns being drawn off for other offensives. On the Somme the French have made another important advance which enables them to cross the Somme valley south of Peronne, and to commence encircling that great stronghold. With British and French, heavy artillery work is proceeding, and, in the meantime, minor positions snatched from the enemy. It may be Bapaume, or it may be some oT.her stronghold that is Britain's next objective, we are not yet permitted ts know. From speeches made by Bri-

tain's representative statesmen, Jhe result of final victory is placed beyond doubt, the tide has definitely turned, but all admit that a great struggle is still ahead, which only munitions and men can shorten and render less costly in British blood. (A cable arriving about, one o'clock to-day states that yesterday's message stating that the Reichstag had been prorogued, was an terror, it should have read: "The Reichstag session has been prolonged for a period of three months.)