The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1917. THE ALLIES' WAR AIMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1917. THE ALLIES' WAR AIMS.

A few days ago, in a communication from tho Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent, it was stated that the improvement in the capital was not reflected in the Russian army at the front, where the pacifists were not leaving a stone unturned to persuade the troops thjat they were merely to extend the Allies' wealth and possessions." He pointed out that there was one thing that would defeat these intrigues—a decisive reply from England and France in relation thereto. It was probably a coincidence that at about the same time this suggestion was made France, through her Prime Minister (M, Ribot), made an impressive statement regarding the war aims of the Allies. According to the New York Sun's correspondent, the speech made by M. Ribot is the first of a series in which the Allies will state their aims, after which they will issue a e.-.mbincrl statement declaring they absolutely agree on the restoration of Belgium, Serbia and Roumania, the return of Alsace-Lorraine to Frauce, the Trentino to Italy, and the autonomy of the Slavs in Austria. It is therefore of more than passing interest to note the views put forth by the French Premier, who was evidently at considerable pains to define the French attitude—one that will undoubtedly meet with endorsement by the weight of British opinion. Unfortunately only the bare outlines of this 1 important (pronouncement were. cabled to the 'New Zealand press, but there is sufficient to form a just estimate of his views after the years of indescribable and jmmemorable agony through which Bis country has passed. Belgium, the outer door o'f France, toas battered down and trampled on, and ten'of the fairest provinces of Northern France occupied, ravaged and polluted jby the 'barbarian invader. Moreover,' M. Ribot doubtless 'bore in mind the article which appeared in the Rheinisch Westfalische Zeitung—the organ of the great industrial magnates -r- a few months ago, 'setting forth five principles of German peace, and concluding thus:

"We have no fantastic dreams oE : conquering the world, German burger<lom is not yet ripe for mastering and governing a world empire. We neither tan nor will destroy the.'British Empire. But the minimum necessary for the German peace which we all desire is the complete beating down of Prance, peace westwards, and prestige on all the seas of all the world." It may be. assumed that M. Ribot voiced the spirit of Franco as set forth in Mr. Lloyd George's words: "France will sustain her army to the end, regardless of when the end may come." The French answer to the Russian pacifists' demand of peace without Annexation is that France demands neither annexation nor indemnity, but restitution based, on right and justice—the restoration of her stolen provinces. She demands these not on sentimental grounds, but for her own security, so that she may not be "completely beaten down." Italy is in exa;tly the same position as France. If Britain had to withdraw from Bagdad and Basra there would be a complete Gcrrflan Empire from; the Baltic to the Persian Gulf. What Russia requlres'is security and that is the essential need, not only of the Allies 'but of the neutrals. To obtain that security certain

alterations in the map ere necessary, not for aggrandisement purposes, but by reason of their being*ab6oJutely necessary for security of the Allies. Without attaining security no peace can be worth

having, for Germany is the only power that is seeking territorial annexations for her own purposes—the fulfilment of. her mad dream of domination on land and rea. It is stated that the Russian soldiers arc ready to spend their last drop of Wood for ideals, but must be convinced that the Allies' aims are equally idealistic. Austria's peace offer without annexation applies only to Russia, for Austria is resolved, if possible, to exact compensation from Serbia, Roumania, Albania and Montenegro. Germany holds Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria in the hollow of her hand. They are her puppets to do her bidding. The one great aim of the Allies is to obtain a peace based on a security that will stand the test of time. That can only be obtained by the rooting out of military despotism, just as the elimination of Napoleon was necessary to the peace of Europe. Ono after another of the neutral countries is to be found gathering under tlio friendly and trustworthy wings of the Allies. If the war is not fought' to a finish now, and if the settlement does not eliminate tiio possibility of a recrudescence of Teutonic aggression, a iar more terrible struggle must take place Hereafter. The Slavs, the Poles, the Czechs and others are all demanding national rights, and above all the right to work out their own destiny, and the same ambition inspires the Russians. It is the attainment of this great ideal that actuates v the Allies in the present struggle, therefore Russian soldiers may and should be satisfied that the Allies aims are equally as idealistic as those of the Russians. Right anil justice must prevail in the end, and the war will not close until these ruling principles are firmly and securely fixed. The question of adjustments will be solved when peace terms are arranged.