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Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1917, Page 4

RUSSIAN PEACE TERMS. The peace demands favored by the Russian Soldiers' and Workmen's Council, which at present is ruling Russia, and to be presented to the inter-Allied conference in Paris Shortly, will not commend themselves to the Allies. The Council asks for a free and uninfluenced plebiscite regarding the future of Alsace and Lorraine, the Italia Irredenta, Belgium, Serbia and Montenegro; with compensation from an international fund. Alsace and Lorraine are essentially French in thought, tongue "and sentiment, notwithstanding nearly fifty years of German oppression and brutality. They are part and parcel of France, and, as Mr. Balfour recently affirmed, ■Britain will stand by France until the stolen provinces are restored. The same applies to the unredeemed part of Italy that has for so many years been under the heel of the Austrians. Belgium, Serbia and Montenegro must have their nationalities fully restored—that is an absolute condition of peace. As for compensation from an international fund, the idea is unthinkable. One fancies one ? hears the Teutonic voice behind this little scheme. For it is purely a German plan to get others to pay for the material damage they have done, the wreckage they have wrought, the misery they have caused. Germany and her confederates, or dupes, will have to foot the bill, notwithstanding the opposition of all the Russian councils. We have another ingenuous proposal in the. suggestion that all Germany's colonies should be'returned. That demand again has the Teutonic ring. But there is na chance of the proposal being acted upon. As a London paper remarked not long ago, the British Empire would fly to pieces if any such terms were entertained Mr a moment. That, precisely is why tbey were put forward through the Pope in August. The Germans calculated that the mere discussion of them would rouse doubts and dissension. How strenuously Germany is working in that direction may be gathered from Mr. Lloyd George's recent speech, when lie said: "In all shapes and forms Germany is attempting to divide nations and pit one ally against another." The harder Germany is pressed the more desperately will she cast about for expedients to divide 'her enemies. the more resolute, therefore, must we he to discuss no terms until we have gained victory. We have had our leßson, and the British colonies are not likely to take any further risks. To return Germany her colonies would make life in the Dominions very insecure, for every port would be a base for a fleet or a nest for submarines, and every German colony a drilling ground for black troops which would in Germany's own good time foe let loose upon us in the next war. The next idea suggested by the amicable Russian council is the neutralisation of all straits leading to tlie inner seas, including the Suez and Panama canals. Perhaps Britain and America would not disagree with the proposal were the next one adopted and adequate securities given for it being carried out, namely, disarmament on land and sea and the creation of an international militia. A basic fact we must not forget is that

we can never trust Germany again. Her signature to an agrement for disarmament oil land and sea would be worthless. Bismarck once said:—"Sentimentality and the regartj for justice and humanity are a weakness, and we must be strong. Wihere the power of Germany is in question no law exists." Bismarck's principles have ever since ruled Germany. What to tho outer world is a shameless disclosure of baseness and dishonor is in Germany itself a manual of practical politics, a book of wisdom, a very Bible. To bring about war when you are ready for it, and to continue by falsehood and chicanery that the guilt shall appear to rest on the predestined victim—that was the Bismarckian way, and 'Wilhelm 11. 'has been seeking to improve upon it. The wholo German nation is suffering from the same moral obliquity, and for that reason will have to be given, when the time comes to settle up things—and that' can only be when Germany is absolutely smashed on the field of battle —as few opportunties for mischief as possible. The Russians of the Soldiers' and Workmen's Council should by now understand the character of the Germans, and realise the issues of the war. But their views on what should constitute a peace settlement do not indicate any such knowledge. What they put forward ,is a German peace, a settlement, the Huns would be glad to accept tomorrow, for it would leave them victors and free them from punishment for

their awful crimes against their peaceful neighbors nnd civilisation generally. The proposals have 110 sense of moral values, of eternal verities, of world righteousness. Their acceptance by the Allies, therefore, is out of the (juestion.