GERMANY AND PEACE.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 April 1918, Page 6

GERMANY AND PEACE.

I Germany's leading naval writer, 1 Captain Persius, has made the discovery that Germany cannot destroy Britain. He draws a thoroughly German conclusion from the "unavoidable'facts, but the public acceptance of these facts at the present time gives us some clue to Germany's outlook on the war. The view put forward by Captain Persius was less confident than von Tirpitz, but the weight of German naval opinion was that the submarine would starve Britain into submission. The military authorities, from Hindenburg downward, believed that the present offensive in France would smash the British Army, The admission now made deals wholly with the naval situation, but it would not have been given to ■■ the public unless Germany had also been gravely doubtful regarding the future of the war on land. The purpose of the announcement is to lay emphasis upon a suggestion that peace should be made with Britain. The way to such a. peace, according to Captain Persius is made easier because of Prince Lichonwsky 'iS disclosures that Britain was not responsible for the war. These so-called disclosures contain nothing that was not given to the world in the diplomatic documents published by the Allies at the outbreak of war, Germany then chose deliberately to provide a foundation for Germany's claim that she was fighting a war of defence and in order to influence opinion in neutral countries. These German falsehoods have long since been exposed. There is no doubt that Prince Lichnowsky knows the whole truth. He was German Ambassador in London, and oh his return to Germany after the outbreak of war, he was sent to "Coventry" for failing to keep Britain neutral. It may be that he is telling so much of the truth as is necessary for bis own defence, but it is unlikely that his statements are receiving any wide publicity, in Germany unless they serve some further purpose. When the German Government is seeking to arouse hostility to Sritain it finds a Lissaeur to write a "Hymn of Hate;" when it is fostering peace propaganda it may with equal ease find a Lichnowsky to ■•: write an amended estimate of Britain and the British. In any case it appears from Captain Per-' sius that what Prince Lichnowsky has publisbed has only a negative value in Germany. It is admitted that Britain was not respdnsible for the war, but there is no admission of Germany's complete and criminar responsibility. There is~no~sign of 'repentance, ho word of sorrow. Germany has merely written under a misunderstanding and would square the account by suggesting peace. Captain Persius reasons: "We cannot crush Britain now, therefore let us make peace with her so that we may crush France and overwhelm Italy." This is the same dishonouring peace that was offered to Britain in July, 1914, in an aggravated and more shameful form. That such a settlement is being held out as a possibility shows that Germany does not even yet realise the temper and purpose of the British people. It also indicates that Germany, though celebrating Hindenburg's advance, is still uncertain where this success may lead her and still unable to see how it is to end in victory. Otherwise there would be no talk of peace nor of anything except relentless war until Germany's enemies were beaten to their knees.