The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1917. CONCERNING RUSSIA AND PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1917. CONCERNING RUSSIA AND PEACE.

As the horrors of the war increase, and as the terrible struggle becomes more prolonged, the mere idea of peace has an ever-increasing fascination for humanity at large. Is there a, traversable road to peace? That all depends on whether by peace is meant a peace »t any .price or a well-secured peace that will endure. If the former, then it icould only foe, the equivalent of an armistice similar to that which the German Commander-in-Chief has cunningly offered by wireless messages to all the Russian troops—a palpable trap so lavishly baited that even the Russian pacifists should be scared from its treuehous intentions. If there is to be a peaee with security there is only one road, but it is beset with innumerable barriers which will call for the utmost sacrifices by the Allied nations ere tho goal is reached, for it can only be traversed by fire and sword and the end reached by the shattering of tho dream of Gerraany'3 scheme of conquest and the utter elimination of military despotism. It is this monster the Allies arc fighting—the world-wide forces of democracy arrayed against thu worst form of autocracy. If Germany joined these democratic forces, peace would promptly follow, for the danger of a recrudescence of war would be'removed. This is the one great point that should command itself to the Russian democrats, .uid then all their worry over "no annexations and no indemnities" would be nt an end. But the spirit of pan-German-ism is being so diligently fostered by the military caste there that it is looming larger than ever, ar.d therefore making tli(» Allies' course plainer than before. President Wilson's latest contribution to the pcaea question deserves especial attention, if only by reason of the fact that lie has consistently advocated penceand was most reluctantly drawn info the ;!:moil of war. It is clear, expi:.-' -n-1 convincing, free from-sll ambi;.i:': - L-.nd goes straight to. the root of {':.-: i.:::tter. He defines "no annexation" ;-. ihe right of the people of conquered lerritories to say what Wovevnme;:'. shall rule them, while on the question of indemnities he rightly contends i"r;- ;;-.,- uncompromising exaction of rep;.:-. :.::i:. One of tho strongest points i' : <■ "resident's Note Is the impress! ■•: that tho Allies must insist O' KMntoo that will ensure J .-.-.irity. In reality

President Wilson intimates that he e<m at present see no other way for obtaining a peace worth having than by prosecuting tho war until the essential foundations of peace are secured by the removal of tho present barriers, or, in other words, until Germany is brought to her bearings. It is the greatest misfortune that the Russian people have become possessed of a power tho proper use of which is at present beyond their capacity. A nation can acquire freedom and yet not know how to solve the intricate problems to be met with in working out its new destiny. In normal times the process would naturally occupy the whole attention of the leaders of the people and blunders made could be rectified at leisure, but to enter upon a new administrative era at tlie most crucial stage of the fiercest war the world has ever known calls for the exercise of the most consummate statesmanship, patriotism, patience and self-sac-rifice, or the substance may bo lost whilo attempting to grasp the shadow. While giving the pacifists every credit for lion- i esty of purpose, it is inevitable that their tactics must wreck the nation if persisted in, No better illustration of the danger they are courting can be given than the action of the English Seamen's Union in refusing to sail with pacifists, and their intense Uoggedness should bo an object lesson to the Russians. The paramount duty is first to win the war and then to arrange terms of peace. Russia can never bo free till Germany is laid by the heels. The British! Note emphasises this point, while subscribing to the proclamation to the Russian people. Britain did- not enter the war for conquest, but to defend her existence and enforce respect for innernational obligations. She is continuing the war for those ends, as well as the added object of liberating the populations oppressed by the tyranny of Germany and her allies, and she makes it perfectly clear that the aims for which she is fighting are the same as those which actuate the American Republic and also of the now Russia. No declaration could be more straightforward and the responsibility of retarding the fulfilment of these humanitarian aspirations rests on the people who have cast off the fetters of Czardom. Russia has it in her power to hasten the day of peace that will enable her vast millions to work out their destiny unmenaced and untrammelled by hostile neighbors, and by helping the Allies to bring this desire to fruition she will also ensure their friendship and assistance, even as she now possesses their SkesV wishes in her great national enterprise. The terms of peace must either be dictated by Germany or the Allies. Russia should quickly decide which way her preference lies.