The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1918. THE INTERLUDE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1918. THE INTERLUDE.

The period that is elapsing between the signing of the armistice and the settlement of peace terms bids fair to be fall of incidents of a more or less sensational character. It was only to be expected, there would be efforts 011 the part of the Germans to obtain concessions in relation to the armistice terms, and they have exercised their usual ingenuity in framing plausible reasons which they hope will arouse the sympathy of President Wilson. So far, however, beyond an intimation that the people shall not go foodless there has been no result from the somewhat wild appeals that have been made, for the underlying motives are plainly apparent. Apparently, in Germany there are several forces at work, and it is very difficult to judge—knowing what we do of Teutonic machinations and duplicity—to what extent the various political movements arc being engineered or encouraged by the monarchists in order to bring about such a state of affairs as will play into their hands and create a call for a reversion to military despotism. The way in which they reduced Russia to chaos in order to further their schemes has not yet passed out of memory, and with this as a guide it is necessary to make large allowances for the cabled reports as to the happening's in the German Fatherland. The monarchists are a daring, dangerous crowd, who will use any and every instrument' likely to serve their purpose, but there are signs that the people of Germany have at last been disillusioned, and the returning soldiers should be a great factor in completing the process. They have been nauseated with fighting, and now that the real cause of the war and the guilt of its authors are known there appears to be a real tendency towards democratic government as it is known in the United States. The early summoning of a Constituent Assembly appears to be reliable, while there is a decided objection to entertain Bolshevik, methods. That is a hopeful sign, though much depends on the underground work of the supporters of the old regime. Another indication of the settling down under new conditions is the change in tone towards the Allies, more particularly Britain. Not long s.Vce it was stated that mothers were instilling into their infants a tierce hatred of Germany's enemies and a longing for revenge. Now comes an order to the teachers in schools to put a stop to such mad ravings, as the real cause of the war is known, and as it is a staiii on the country that will take many years of repentance to wipe out it would certainly be wise to make a start in ■ that direction without delay. liieie may, however, be a cunning method in this new policy. The armistice terms were drastic, and the peace terms have yei, to lie settled; he;ii;,j, possibly. the advisability of dissembling. Meauvoile the fate of the Kaiser, the Crown Prince and the •other'ronspifators against ihe world's peace hangs in_ the In this coulnv.f ion ii is >o rote tiie fooling iii_ Austria, wlu-rc a. demand mis arisen for 1 in- punishment of the guilty criminals who caused the war. This may be camouflage oi- ,-i jval conscientious movement. Anyhow, it certainly emphasises the attitude of 'those among i lie Allies who are calling lor Hie ex I radii ion ar.d trial of ihe iioiieiK-.olleriis. it i.s satLsfactoiy io know that |he armistice tei ms are in the main being carried out as arranged. The brutal inhumanity practiced by the Germans on British prisoners 'has been Promptly stopped, though not without a peremptory threat; of punishment should any further ciuelty take place. Nothing but a firm hand and no yielding will serve when dealing with the Teu- '!" ls ' r ' s salisfactory to note teat lir'.tixli warships have .passed il.ioiigh into the Baltic, but even here there wax slimness on the I'irmans' part, an excuse for not p.-et-mi;- up ail the mines being raised en the ground liir-l some of tiie caarts had berni lost in the i evolution. Uermai- 1 " ■; elaborate system does not ■ to the hi.sii'g of importr <rds of this .i-eriplion. 1 j1.1; Iritish com- ■ "iider evide> -w how to, uciil with such .uUwjrtpd ay*-

sion, though we have yet to learn the method adopted. It is pleasing to note the re-entry of the Belgians into their lately occupied towns, especially Antwerp and Brussels. Their feelings can better be imagined than described, and though they can never hope to make their shattered cities and towns as they were before the war, they can be relied upon to work diligently and enthusiastically at tht work of restoration, both in town and country. The same may be said of the French, and the dramatic incident at which King George was present—the re-open-ing of the Arc Ide Triomphe—shows how completely Prance has wiped out the stain of the German defilement forty-seven years ago. It was a proud day for France, and the enthusiastic reception of King George can readily be understood. That the inherent vice of brutality is still prominent among German officials is evidenced by the unjustifiably cruel decree ordering Alsatians to quit Germany in twenty-four hours. Even allowing for the Feeling of chagrin at losing Al-sace-Lorraine, there is no excuse for harshly treating those who were in no way responsible for tlie deleac, whereby Franco came jnto her own again, and such an act of inhumanity should be remembered in the settlement of the peace terms. Considerable activity is being* evinced by President Wilson in pushing to the forefront the league of nations proposal. Apparently that is his main object in attending the Peace Conference, for bound up therewith is the question of the freedom of the seas, which will be one of the most knotty problems to be solved by the conference. There appears to be.no doubt that the German colonies should not be handed hack, but it is quite possible a compromise may be brought forwanHo vest the control of these colonies in a mixed commission if the league of nations scheme is favored, but it is to be hoped that Britain and the Dominions' delegates will succeed in vesting the control in those units of the Empire which are most interested in the various conquered German colonies. So far the Allies have every cause for regarding the outlook with complete satisfaction, and so long as Germany is not allowed to play any tricks the present interlude will pave the way t) r, permanent peace.