The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1918. THE FLUTTERING OF PEACE KITES.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 September 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1918. THE FLUTTERING OF PEACE KITES.

Whenever the German armies have suffered a serious reverse and dark clouds appear over the Teutonic horizon, inevitably suggestions of peace come forward, but always in that indirect way which veils the source of inspiration. Now that those armies have been dealt a continuous series of blows that have sent them reeling backwards day after day with ever-lessening numbers and morale, it is only to be expected that references to peace should become more pointed than hitherto. It is only necessary to take a casual glance at Germany's position to-day in order to fully understand how greatly she stands in need of a cessation of hostilities, for that is all. she means by peace. According to Mr Cyril Brown, the New York World's correspondent at Berlin before the rupture, the German people realise that militarism's great blow for peace and victory has completely failed. They are also realising that Germany has not a friend in the world, and, what is of greater significance, they are losing faith in their military idols—Hindenburg and Ludendorff. The correspondent impressively adds that the more democratic representatives in the Reichstag will not knuckle down to the dictatorship of the military party much longer, and he anticipates, ere long, that the most acute political crisis of tins war will occur in Germany. Apparently cable messages recently received confirm these statements. The Crown Prince is credited with saying that "for us victory moans only the successful defence of the Fatherland," and, be added, "We do not wish to destroy our enemies." Such pronouncements cannot be accepted at their face value, yet they are significant as attempts to'gloss over Germany's true aims arid wishes. The real facts, however are more likely to be found in !!,<' statement that war is being c.i ried on with desperation. *Vt O

I defend Germany, but to protect Ihe ITohcnzollcrus and preserve; the dynasty. To that cud are thousands oi ! the: flower of German manhoodbeing sacrificed on (he altar of ambitious aulom-acy, and the country being brought to ruin. The German war Lords have been doing their worst to destroy their enemies, and have been superlatively callous in wasting their own man-power. They are the authors of the world's • most awful tragedy, bent, if possible, on sweeping out of their path, by every device that science and human devilry could evolve, all who stand in the way of their lust of aggrandisement and power. We know the kind of peace they want, but civilisation will have none of it. Standing at Washington's tomb on July 4, President Wilson declared: "The past and present are in deadly grapple, and the peoples of the world are being done to death between them. There can be but one issue. The settlement must be final. There can be no compromise. No halfway decision would be tolerable. No half-way decision is conceivable." Bearing these great sentiments in mind, the peace kites that are now fluttering in the air seem woefully ludicrous. A cable, from Rome states that German' agents in Switzerland are busily circulating reports that Germany is ready to conclude peace on the basis of the evacuation of France and Belgium, and that against the payment of an indemnity Germany is willing to accept the English La-1 borites' suggestion for a referendum regarding Alsace-Lorraine, provided it is taken under German supervision. Could any proposal be more Hunlike? A referendum at the point of the bayonet, with all the well-known tricks for manipulating it to their own ends. True, the Allies are lighting for France and Belgium but the real issue is far more world-wide. The American Labor leader, Mr. Gompers, struck the right note when he said: " I would not prolong this war one minute longer than is necessary, but I am not willing to shorten it by one hour if that means that the military machine will remain to cause further wars.'' That Germany is in desperate need of a cessation of hostilities is certain. This is evident from the cable message emanating fom The Times' Hague correspondent, who reports the persistent rumor that at the recent meeting at German headquarters, at which the Kaiser and Emperor Karl were present, it was decided to propose an armistice at the end of the present campaigning season, offering an unconditional evacuation and partial indemnification of Belgium, and a conditional evacuation of the north of Prance. Not for a moment would such proposals be entertained. The Allies have a duty to perform in preventing any nation from again disturbing the world's peace, and that mission can only be achieved by a decisive victory, and the elimination of the Prussian military menace. No other course is possible.