GERMANY WANTS PEACE.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 October 1918, Page 4

GERMANY WANTS PEACE.

It was perfectly understood a month ago that Germany had commenced a progressive TJ£hce scheme,, in, which she would continue to abandon grounc just as Foch’s offensive on all fronts progressed.' On Saturday, Germany had hoisted a new sign of Government by the people; the 'Hohenzollerns and Miliarists were abandoned and an apology for a Democratic Government was installed. The first thing this over-new Government did was to cable acceptance of all the Allied conditions for ending the war as outlined by President Wilson. The receipt of such a message by no means indicates that hostilities are to cease for some time to come. The military conditions are such at this moment that no military commander would consent to stay, whatever the terms for an armistice. In fact, Poch himself has said that he has not yet fought his battle, and infers that nothing will induce him to slacken his efforts until he has finished it. At present Germany’s acceptance of President Wilson’s peace terms indicates that the Central Powers are so beaten that they are compelled to acknowledge defeat. No sane person will assume that fighting is to stop on a German statement of an acceptance of any terms. 'Teutonic veracity is an outstanding quality of the German people, not understood sufficiently by Allied people for them to admit it to any serious consideration. Definite, far-reaching acts are to pre?dce any armistice granted to Germany. To the Peace Proposals accepted there has been no preface stated; the value of German words, anc treaties is too well-known for the Allies to act upon the mere notification of Germany’s acceptance of any terms. It is unbelieveable that a statesman in any Allied country could favour taking {the dripping', hand of the Hun hot with its latest crime; and, as Mr. Wilson’s peace terms are easily construable into unconditional surrender when tempered by the state of battle as it is to-day, as well as by the views of the Commander-In-Chief, it is probable that fighting will not cease until that condition is reached; v: ' ' ' l,v "