The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1916. NEUTRALS AND PEACE PROPOSALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1916. NEUTRALS AND PEACE PROPOSALS.

It was particularly fitting that Viscount Grey, in liis capacity of Foreign Minister, should have delivered such a comprehensive and instructive speech as that which he made at the Foreign Press luncheon. The world is now in possession of the views of the French Fremier, the British Premier, and Mr, Lloyd George concerning the feeling of the Allies •with regard to peace, and those views may be ■briefly summed up in the statement that complete victory over Germany is the only possible prelude to a peace worth having—a peace that will justify the enormous sacrifices that have 'been and will be entailed by this terrible war. It is usual for Foreign 'Ministers to clothe their remarks in carefully chosen diplomatic language, but Viscount Grey* went straight to the heart of the matter, probing it to its utmost depths with a directness and forcefulness that was exemplary. "The Allies," he said, ''must secure this war, ano. they must not forget how it originated.'' It is this appropriate reminder of the cause that is bound to have an overpowering bearing on the conclusion of the mighty struggle. It will be remembered that Germany deliberately prevented all efforts to waid ofl' the war, and rushed into it with the determination'to become the possessor of world-wide dominion over the nations; 'but as soon as her vainglorious ambitions were thwarted, it suited her purpose to pose as a martyr to the greed of the Entente 'Powers, so that she could blusteringly allude to peace terms as necessitating guarantees against future attacks. How hypocritical and preposterous is such an attitude can be plainly discovered by a mere glance at her position to-day, when she is being driven slowly but surely from the countries she invaded and attacked. If Germany calls being driven out of invaded territory "attacked," then her attitude might have some bearing on the question, but the war has gone on for over two years and Germany is still trying to beat back the attackers in order-to carry out her cruel and wicked programme. It is, as Viscount Grey so clearly demonstrates, because Germany forced the war on Europe that the Allies, and not Germany, must have the guarantees of future peace, and it is because of this experience that the Allies have determined that the war shall not end until they are sure future generations will not again be subjected to such a terrible trial. It is, however, with the Minister's remarks with regard to the action of neutrals in the direction of bringing about peace that the main interest in Viscount Grey's speech lies. On this question he expounded the duties and obligations attaching to those neutrals who sought to secure peace, and his views will be endorsed by all who give the matter a moment's intelligent attention. Force, and force alone, can ensure a peace that is worth having, and in pointing out this inexoraible law to neutral nations, the Minister has done invaluable service. The great lesson of the war is the fact that no reliance can he placed on treaties or international obligations unless backed by force sufficient to maintain the same, and the sooner the neutral nations understand that peace terms must rest on this basis, and that unless they are prepared to use the necessary force to maintain treaties those treaties are so much waste paper, the "better it will he. 'There must," said Viscount Grey, "he no end to this war, and no peace, except a peace that will ensure the nations of Europe freedom from Prussian militarism." It is for that end the Allies are making every sacrifice in theii power, and will continue to do so until they have secured the peace of the whole Continent of Europe, so that those sacrifices will not be in vain. The light which the .Minister has thrown on the duties and obligations of neutrals should have its due effect. If they desire to take part in securing peace they must be prepared to assist ill enforcing the terms. It is, as we have previously stated, by force alone that an enduring peace can be attained.