IF WE FAIL-OUR FATE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 126, 21 October 1914, Page 4

IF WE FAIL-OUR FATE.

Applying I-)r. Knlf'a avowed "fight for booty'" to the British Empire upon the plan indicated as having been arranged for Franco by the bandits of Berlin, we need be under 110 delusion as to our fate if the Kaiser could do as he wished witli us (writes the AueMand Herald). That it was not the intention of the German Government to ''crush" the British Empire while engaged in the more immediate task of absorbing Belgium and murdering France goes without saying. Those who boast of the '''mailed fist" and profess a wholehearted belief in "the supreme right of tlia strong" always endeavour by treachery, by lying, and by deception to divide those whom they propose to plunder. France was to be struck down an 1 made impotent and tributary, her fleet was to be annexed, and her territory confiscated, but the sacking of the British Empire was to be left for a subsequent occasion. So desirous was Germany to apply the "supreme right of tlie strong" to one section of civilisation at a time that she offered to promise the British Government not to annex any part of Franco if Britain wwild remain neutral. A German promise, lileo a German commercial debt, is of little value when it suits the Kaiser to repudiate either; but the mere fact that this was offered in return for British neutrality shows the insolent certainty of the Berlin Government that it eoul.l so plunder France that a deduction from its intended terms could well be afforded. Britain's refusal to watch the violation of Belgium and the obliteration of France from among the nations has compelled Germany to attempt in one tremendous war the world-wide robberies it had deigned to distribute over several piratical raids. Dr. Solf'a "fight fov booty" against the British Empire has been prematurely entered upon, and the prospects are not encouraging to organised brigandage; but the German lust for power is not thereby moderated. In sullen desperation, and with a callous indifference, to means and methods which warns all civilisation that the triumph of Kaiserism would mean a return of the world to mediaeval despotism, Germany has bent itself to tlie gigantic task of robbing both France and Britain at the same time. We learn through the German Ambassador at Washington how Germany proposed to deal with France. Tlie sacking of the British Empire would be still more profitable—if it could bo effected. The indemnity to be levied upon Britain would be far greater—if it could be collected. Tho subjugation of the Britis'h would be more exemplary—if it could be accomplished. France has Algeria and New Caledonia, •where Ger-

manfi might coloafen in national fashioa; but) tha BritiA have fire great Dominions where European civilisation can be established, besides vast possessions aid j«a eaormous trsdei Eron if wa estap;ed complete aanexatioi, great aeotioaa our doroinioiu and' possessions would ,bo torn from ua, our commercial independence would be abolished, our right : to defend ourselves would be forfeited, | our autonomy would become dependent ; upon the suzerainty of tha Kaiser. Our children and our children'# children would toil to pay tribute to a German despot, while our fortresses and natal bases would be tha spoil of a mortal enemy. To the Biitish-born tiis national degradation is inconceivable, yet the German has conceived rt. Tho Kaiser and Ilia hosts have plotted our overthrow and our enslavement, just as they have plotted the overUn'ww and enslavement of Belgium, of France, of Holland, and of every free State. They have become blind and brutal worshippers of false gods and evil ambitions. They seek to condemn tho entire world to the rule of the Kaiser, and Imps to grow rich upon the booty they ii:ivc» planned to wrest I from liberty-loving states which have | i not devoted their every thought to war. •To defeat such ft scheme is worth every • sacrifice, for the world would not be fit [for the British to livs in if the Kaiser . W»B.