The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1917. NO PEACE WITH THE HOHENZOLLERNS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1917. NO PEACE WITH THE HOHENZOLLERNS.

A recent cable message from Paris stated that the Allies were being urged to declare that they will make no peace with the. Holienzollerns, adding, "A declaration that the suppression of Kaiserdom is a condition of peace would cause Germany to examine the situation in a new spirit." It will have been noticed of late that considerable latitude is being given, to the Socialists in their dissemination of demands for peace. The German authorities- would not have permitted the utterances of the Socialists to have passed the eenaor had there not been a very good reason for so doing. As a matter of fact, there are several reasons which might be advanced for the new tactics, tlie chief being the intense desire of the Hohenzollerns and their most influential adherents to secure peace before the German armies suffer a severe defeat, so as to give Kaiserdom a dhance of retaining its dominaiiey. It will i\e noticed tliat the recrudescence of peace talk taroke out almost directly after the involution in Russia had created new and potent danger to Germany—the mote menacing

and not external forces. What the Russian people and armiC3 have accomplished so easily the Germans can achieve with equal facility if they are so minded, and the object lesson is proving most attractive. To state the case in general terms, it may be said that the Germans realise they are all but beaten,, and though they know they can prolong the struggle and cause much death and destruction before being finally and decisively stricken, yet the question of stamping out despotic militarism and bringing about either a constitutional Government or a republic, is beginning to overshadow all other issues. There are now three great republican nations in the ranks of the Allies, and the great constitutional Empire to which we belong. Does not this convey to the German people a plain and emphatic moral for their guidance? Most assuredly it does, and there are signs that the days of the Hohenzollern tynaaty «l PS-

bered. In America, President Wilson's speech to tite Senate is interpreted to mean that tlio ■United States will not consent to participate in peace negotiations until the German Government lias been democratised. There is an effort on the part of a section of the German press to make the rapidly-growing agitation for self-govermnent appear as merely a desire, for electoral reforms, but it is absurd to make, such assertions. Tim Junkers will never eonsent to any electoral reform which will give tlio people any real power, and power is I'ho crux of the 'whole situation. We lire told there were stormy scenes in tlio Reichstag when the Socialists declared (hat a republic for Germany was inevitable, and demanded larger powers for controlling foreign policy, including the making and breaking of alliances and the making- of peace and war; also that the Chancellor should be dismissed if the Reichstag demanded, and it is significant that tho Chancellor's recent speech was received with coldness by the Conservatives. Another message stated that the Berliner Tageblatt demanded energetic reorganisation of internal affairs —to facilitate peace. American action in arnging liersclf in the ranks of Cermanys' foes is also a factor, for the German newspaper 'Herold expresses' the opinion that the German people might remove their kings and princes and adopt a more democratic form of government, if assured of American support. Pieced'together,, these fragments plainly indicate that there is taking place in Germany a movement that 'lias for its object the downfall of the Hohenzollerns and the system of enslavement that their rule represents. If we analyse the fundamental motive which has inspired the German peace overtures, it will be found to consist of fear of the growing intensity in Germany—also Austria—of the desire for peace. That serious discontent exists is practically admitted, and as this political yeast hecomes more active it will gain bursting strength. The main disaffection is against the Prussian overlords. The Kaiser's advisers were sufficiently astute to see that if they did not open negotiations their political system would soon be in peril. The Allies have not played into their hands by listening to them, but they might with great advantage go a step further and not only refuse a fresh lease of life to tho filing they are about to destroy, but they should help it to death by proclaiming their resolve never to make terms with Germany while the Hohenzollerns rule, so that the question of.dynasty would be a criterion of victory. The Allies have no desire to crush Germany as a nation. As Sir Robert Borden sagely remarked, there is no wish or intention to terminate Germany's national existence. "Let Germany set her house in order so that a changed ideal can be relied upon; for not otherwise can Germany have peace." The object of the war is to crush Prussian militarism—the creation of the 'Hohenzollerns, and the fall of the dynasty will he the seal of tho victory, for in that fall tlhe whole Prussian system will he discredited. There fs no hope of any permanent peace while that dynasty remains, and the abolition of that pernicious influence the German people will forever renounce the wild dream of world domination. That is why tho Allies should in some way or other show this as tilieir policy and that nothing else will satisfy them. If the German people wish to preserve the nation and enjoy a future. of freedom and expansion then there should be a national movement either for a sound constitutional Government or a republic. Russia lias set a great example which the Germans will do well to follow. The military caste is playing its last card of desperation, and now is the time for those of the Germans who desire a peace worth having to assert their power and put an end'to the iniquitous system that lias plunged the civilised world into the most outrageous and inhuman struggle the world Jias ever taken seen. Colonel Roosevelt advocates a vigorous offensive by the United States, and his reason tor so doing is tiliat America's voice may count for civilisation and justice. The star of the Hohenzollerns has already grown dint, and ere long may be expected to be numbered with the fallen constellations. The Kaiser sees the writing on the wall. Henee his desire for electoral reform and •'democratising the franchise," and his unctions observations regarding his subjects having by their service and sacrifice earned equality of treatment. But whatever concessions are given, the Allies, if not the German public, will put an end to Hohenzollerism.