The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1914. THE SUGGESTED ARMISTICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 162, 15 December 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1914. THE SUGGESTED ARMISTICE.

It is, perhaps, only natural that His ' Holiness the Pope should, in the desire to secure the full observance of Cliristmastide as a season of actual peace, lift ; up his voice in favor of an armistice during the one period of the year that is specially associaated witli peace and 1 goodwill. He has only recently been elevated to the Papal chair, and a largo portion of the people of the world look to him for a lead on matters connected with the observance of religion and its practical application. His Holiness is 1 entitled to the credit of listening to the dictates of his heart, and bearing in view the welfare of humanity. Were it possible to entertain the suggestion, it would rejoice the hearts of many thousands of men on both sides, and that they would heartily welcome a break in hostilities may readily be believed, iet the proposal is altogether beyond the pale of practical consideration. On one condition, and one condition only, could an armistice be arranged, and that is by an absolute cessatiou of all works connected with naval and military matters, especially the manufacture of armaments and e equipments of all kinds, the strengthening of positions, and the movements of troops. Even if Germany could bo trusted to faithfully carry out such a complete status quo ante, the greatest objection to the armistice would still remain. One of Germany's most formidable tasks is that of keeping the men supplied with food, stores, and ammunition, and an armistice would be a great noon in this direction. Moreover, what the. Germans are especially in need of at present is a time df rest and recuperation, so that they may attack with increased vigor. They would also benefit in a liJrger degree than the Allies by the convalescents from among the wounded, and in many other ways they would reap advantages which would not only greatly increase the task of the Allies, but would certainly tend to prolong the terrible struggle. Had the Pope given the matter that serious and deep thought which it demands, he must surely have convinced himself tlut the mere, idea of trusting Germany could not for a moment be entertained. It is one of the intensely disagreeablo phases of the war that the unscrupulous, and monstrous tactics of Germany completely prohibit any reliance being placed on her word, now and for all time. Germany has everything to gain by an armistice, and tlio Allies stand to suffer great losses thereby. The bare idea of such a project seems, under the circumstances, utterly out of the question. It seems a hard thing that our kinsfolk should be bearing the hardships and dangers inherent to war in midwinter, while we in Xew Zealand are basking in the sun- , shine, and surrounded with all the blessings of peace and prosperity. 'The Allies have put their hands to the plough, and must turn the furrow to the very end. There must be no cessation, no slackening, and no repining. The goal can only be attained by crushing the enemy of peace, and it is surely expedient to forego a.few days' respite in order to attain as soon as possible the placing of a lasting peace on a sure foundation. The war must go on strenuously and relentlessly, whether it is Cliristmnstide, Easter, or any other Church festival time. The present season, it is true, does not lend itself to military operations on the Continent, but there is work, and plenty of it, l'oi- our men to do every day, and we may rest assured that they, will do it, no matter what the cost may be. The head of the great Catholic Church is rightly more concerned with peace than war. His proposal may, and does, appeal to the heart, but the intellect rejects it without a second thought.