The Daily News. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1917. PEACE OFFERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1917. PEACE OFFERS.

A study of the numerous reported peace terms emanating from the Central Powers gives the process of tempting the Allies the appearance of a Dutch auction, but minus the buyers. Starting with the basic principle of thfe victors dictating terms, the Germans proclaimed that they were going to alter the map of the world to suit themselves and reward their supporters. They still claim that on points scored so far they have won, and point to the territories they occupy, while emphasising that no part of Germany lias ever been invaded. The loss of their colouies does not form part of their boasting, except now and again when ilie demand is voiced that all their po .-isions must and shall be restored. To iliis, however, Germany's enemies do not subscribe. If there is one determination more firmly rooted than another in regard to peace terms, it is that the dominions of the Empire will never agree to the return of the captured German colonial possessions, not because of any desire for aggrandisement, but purely and solely by reason of the fact that having got rid of a dangerous menace they refuse to agafh be subjected thereto. The latest phase of enemy peace terms emanates from the Berlin Tages Zcitung, which recently stated tiiat. Germany and Austria have agreed tr« make a peace olfer on the basis of 110 territorial aggrandisement, the surrender of Belgian and French territories, and no indemnity on either side. This certainly is the most attractive offer that has yet been put forward by an inspired Teutonic organ, but it is worthy of note that the statement sees the light of day at the moment when the Pan-Germans are loudly proclaiming that the Allies must be crushed and Germany's borders extended both on the east and on the west. Pan-Germanism and Hohenzollerism are one and the same in aims and methods, and we are told that the pan-Germans are the dominating influence in Prussian militarism. In the present yeasty state of German politics St is difficult to arrive at a reliable conception as to which section holds the key to the position. As a matter of fact, it is quite immaterial as i'nr as .peace terms are concerned, :.,r the Allies are determined on their course of action—a' fight to a finish and putting an end to despotic militarism. Speaking recently in the British House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary (Mr. Balfour) made the following points:

Britain and the United States entered the war for entirely unselfish aims. France must have tack Alsace and Lorraine. We must stand by her. We cannot impose a Constitution on Germany, but we can make peace only with a free or a powerlcs; Germany. If this war ends with a German peace it will he only a prelude to a new European war. If the war is to carry out our object of preventing a repetition of Germany's crimes we must fight on with all the vigor of which we are capable. Britain and her Dominions, together with America stand in a different position from many of the Allies, simply because there never has been a thought of their Roing into the war to obtain territory. The capture of German colonics and overseas Dnsansuinns was not contem-

niated, but it became a nnvnl and miliary necessity, ami that necessity will ■ x!;>t just as insistently alter the war as ''"us now. It is the necessity of safeguarding our interests and that can never be accomplished except by depriving Germany of her bases for inimical | operations. It is a guarantee that cannot be rent asunder like a sera]) of paper. AVe have made it clear to the world that we are not fighting for fighting's sake, also that we desire peace as earnestly as any of those communities that are now suffering the burdens, the tragedies and the losses of war, but that peace cannot be made until either Germany has been rendered powerless or free, Nothing k clearer than that if this terrible war is to carry out the object of attaining the security of Europe, the world-wide Empire of Britain as well as the vast country of America, the obvious duty of the Allies is not to waste time or temper over discussing peace terms, but to fight on in the war with all the strenuous vigor of which they are capable. It must be a peace that will last until the Central Powers have readied a stage of international development which will make any recurrence of these horrors unthinkable by fiituie generations. A Hun peace means another Hun war. The enormous sacrifices we have made demand that the result shall be correspondingly proportionate.

"There is no ending to the fid it Till, smitten by the final thrust. The powers of darkness and of night Are spurned, and trampled in the dust."