WAR NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1917, Page 5

WAR NOTES.

THE ONLY POSSIBLE PEACE. In an address delivered before leaving Britain on his return to Australia, the ■Premier of New South Wales, Mr, W. A. Holman. deal! with the dangers of an •inconclusive peace. lie declared that the allies could in e few weeks' time make •terms with Germany which would leave the Germans to assume that, under th» guidance of their military monarch ant their military caste, Herman power had 'successfully faced the united forces- of .the world in arms. The German Government would have the right then to say, ■''We have guided you aright. Nations are made by blood and iron. No power in the world is equal to German power. True, we have not absolutely succeeded in our efforts this time, but we have lost nothing. We have shaken the world and held our own against., the three corners of it in arms." and they would be more firmly seated in their power to guide 'the destinies of the German people dur* iug the next fifty years than ever before. 'The allies would instantly have to prepare Tor a new struggle. The nation would become an armed camp, and conscription would have to becomo a permanent i'nd recognised part of our institutions. If we were to have peace let •i:s have a genuine peace, and not one which would be utterly unworthy of respect. ROUMANIAN CONFIDENCE. Princo Constantin Brancovan, a mem« ber of the Roumanian Parliament, recently arrived in Londpn from Jassy on a short visit. In nn interview he said:— "Even before 1914 the Roumanians had been Hostile to Austria on account of her Injustice to Roumania in the Balkan War. As ,-oon as Britain drew the sword and her armies, with those of FraticP. had shown the futility of the (Herman plan at the battle of'the Mam. Roumania decided to do he:- share in the cause of liberty and justice alid for the fulfilment of her national aspirations, She, therefore, entered into negotiations almost 'jit once with the Allies, offering her assistance when required. It Wtmlu be difficult for an Englishman to realise the enormous influence Great Britain has had among the smaller nations whom she has championed. After Italy's entry into the war negotiations became still more definite, and Roumania declared war at the moment considered by all partici concerned to be the most suitable. Although Roumania has suffered, she has no regrets for her action, Her army is strong again, and perfectly trained, and it will have all that it needs when it has received the assistance that Great Britain has Bo generously promised. Full confidence is felt by .Roumania that the end of the war will see the liberation Of her peoples from the Austrian yoke, and the expansion of the commerce—already considerable—between her and the allied Powers, to the fulfilment of her ambition to see 'France and Great Britain take the place of Germany in her trade. Tho war has had a Very useful democratic influence in our country, as is evidenced by the passing of the Universal Suffrage and Small Holdings Bills in Parliament. The Jewish question will iilso be solved as soOn as possible."