WILHELM DODGED IT.

Taihape Daily Times, 3 December 1917, Page 3

WILHELM DODGED IT.

On the earnest request of Secretary Bryan, I endeavourd to persuade the German authorities to have Germany become a signatory to the socalled Bryan peace treaties ” says Mr Gerard, ex-United States Ambassador to Germany, in his famous book. “After many efforts and long interviews, von Jagow the Foreign Minister, finally told me that Germany would not sign these treaties, because the greatest asset of Germany was her readiness for a sudden assault; that they had no objection to signing a treaty with America but they feared they would then be immediately asked to sign similar treaties with England, France and Russia. If they refused to sign with these countries, the refusal would he almost equivalent to a declaration of war, and if they did sign ? intending in good faith to stand by the treaty, Germany would be deprived of her greatest asset in war—namely, her readiness for a sudden and overpowering attack.” _ ,