The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1919. DRAWING GERMANY'S FANGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1919. DRAWING GERMANY'S FANGS.

Although the delegates assembled at Paris have been a long time coming to a decision as to the steps that must be taken to put an end to Germany being a world menace, they have at last evolved methods, the drastic nature of which should be hailed with much satisfaction. It may be that an error of tactics was committed when the armistice was signed, instead of allowing Marshal Poch to inflict a crushing defeat on the German armies, which he practically held in the hollow of his hand, and it is quite possible that had that course 'been taken it would have been better for all concerned, especially Germany, for it would have put an end to all question of Germany's status and not buoyed up the people with the idea of negotiating on equal terms. The Germans understand the law of force, and once convinced that the Allies were masters of the situation they would probably have resigned themselves to the invitable and set about putting their house in order. The surrender of the submarines and internment of the greater part of the German fleet, together with the occupation of German towns should have opened the eyes of the people to the true state of affairs, but they still talked and acted as if their power and prestige had not been eclipsed. Now, there will be no excuse for not realising that Germany as a naval power is to be completely extinguished. Almost the whole of her warships are to be confiscated absolutely—destroyed without a trace—and her future construction is to be strict[ly limited to the minimum number necessary for coastal defence, and all submarines are to be swept away. aa<J not replaced. EqpUy,

drastic measures will be taken as j to her military forces. Germany's fangs are to be drawn and her claws clipped in such a way that savage lust for blood and conquest is uprooted and destroyed. The Allies do not need the German warships for their own defence. All they require is that they shall be destroyed as weapons of offence, only such parts as may be of commercial use being saved. It is an excellent plan to treat the auxiliary cruisers as prizes and place their value to the Allies against the reparation bill. The employment of these ships as merchantmen will in some way help to readjust the tonnage sunk by submarines, and will be a welcome addition to the depleted merchant service. Possibly these vessels may become the nucleus of Stateowned transport services, the demand for which is becoming more and more insistent. It is interesting to note that a remarkably satisfactory solution of the problem of decreased armament so far as Britain is concerned has been put forward, whereby the Motherland, on returning to her pre-war strength, will part with her accretions by handing them over to the Dominions, so that Britain would be able to join intheprocess ol' disarmament and each of the Dominions would become possessed of a navy of its own, under circumstances which entirely eliminate the objections which at one time existed over this question. That, however, is a matter which need not cause any concern at the present juncture. What the Dominions, in common with the rest of the world, are most concerned about is the attainment of absolute security from attack. The destruction of the German navy gives that security, and there will be a general feeling of relief and satisfaction at the means to be taken to end the menace. Germany, in pursuance of the will o' the wisp of world conquest spent hundreds of millions on an army and navy wherewith she hoped to crush the nations. Her army was saved from destruction because it was composed of human beings and though they were superfiends in their cruelties, yet the dictates of humanity impelled the Allies to hold their hands and grant an armistice, but in the case of the German Navy there is only one wise course to take—to destroy it. Germany no longer has any possessions outside her own border, so that if she is left with sufficient, warships to protect her small area of coast line that is all sufficient. The completeness of the work of destruction that is to take place, added to the Allied control of German war factories, is evidence that Germany is not to be trusted. This final dramatic act should bring the Teutons to their senses. It will practically gag and bind them so securely that their power for mischief will be nullified. Drastic treatment of this description was necessary. It is akin to the operation of the surgeon's knife in cutting out a deeply rooted cancer. Moreover it, not only does not prevent the Germans from developing their industries and cultivating the arts of peace, but it will save them from the heavy taxation necessary to provide unlimited armaments, and it will teach them, as nothing else will, that war does not pay the losers. Much as we may regret that stern measures were not insisted upon when hostilities ceased, there now appears a prospect of convincing the Germans of their complete defeat, and that the Allise will no longer hesitate to apply the necessary pressure to carry out their will. It. is as well to have this thoroughly understood before the peace terms are finally settled, and it is a relief to know that the nations can now relax from the terrible strain under which they have so long been suffering.