MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1918, Page 6

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE ALLIES' TERMS< \ FOB AN ARMISTICE; London, Oct. 28. Mr. Murdoch, in a special article, says that though defeat inexorably confronts the Central Powers, few commentators believe that' Germany will immediately accept t'he Allies' terms for an armistice. War Cabinets are meeting in all the capitals, and there is much coming and going between the Chancellor's offices. The term 3 have been framed by the naval and military advisers and are known to be very severe, including the surrender of submarines, the Allies' occupation of the Rhine bridge-heads, and perhaps the dismantling of t'he high seas fleet. The next step will be a meeting of Allied statesmen and commanders, including representatives of America. Mr. Balfour's announcement at the Australian luncheon is regarded as final upon the questions of the colonies and the freedom of the seas. British opinion seems ready to place the German colonies under a trust, or even give them to the other Allies, but i will never permit their return to Germany, unless Germany is radically changed. The British desire rather to give up the colonies to the Allies than to encourage the idea that Britain has waged a war of conquest, Although consultation with the Dominions is supposed to be proceeding, it Is noticeable that no meetings of the Imperial Cabinet are being held, though every recent meeting of t'he War Cabinet must have been absorbed by questions affecting the whole Empire. Mr. Murdoch, commenting on the great popular demonstration in Germany when Dr. Liebknecht was released, says that the liberation of Dr. Liebknecht and Herr Dittman may imply that the Government does not fear a revolution, or wishes to appease the people while forcing the pace towards peace. The Allied military authorities strongly hold the former view, pointing, out that Germany is certainly sufficiently strong in the field .to prolongthe fighting till the summer. They earnestly urge that there should not be the slights est Blackening of tto; military effort on the part of' the Allies; asserting that •Germany has conducted a brilliant retreat and is making everyadvance now ias difficult as in 1917. Ludendorff is hoping that the peace movement, which, is advertised throughout the army as approved by the High; Command, will restore the morale, 11 wMlst the "last ditch" movement increases the tfeservcs-amL munitions. The TageHatt says: "The enemy has-; ' hundreds of tanks. We-cannot yet combat them with equal weapons, tat we are busily engaged in making tanks and won will be-aj>k, to-meet-tanks 'gift tanks.."-

Mr. Murdoch adds: Germany, however, recognises she is beaten, and the only question is of making the best terms. liven iiie Cologne Gazette accepts, the Allies' military superiority; and tlhe hopelessness of the cause. The position in Austria is viewed seriously in Germany, and grave developments are anticipated as the result of the events now in progress there. —AuSi N.Z. Cable Assoc.