The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 19, 1919. BRAZENING IT OUT.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 19, 1919. BRAZENING IT OUT.

The outbursts against the peace terms now in such blatant evidence in Germany are being engineered for definite purposes. It matters not which of the objects in view is assigned the premier position. Dominating every other consideration is the arrogant motto of empire days—"Deutschland über lAUes." There is not the remotest trace of any sign of repentance on 'the part of the nation; only the | rabid ravings of criminals whose only regret is that they have been brought to the bar of justice and have been sentenced for their crimes against civilisation. If any justification were required for the drastic nature of the terms imposed on Germany it is to be found in the recent speech by von Hindenburg, in which he stated that "Germany had only temporarily been overthrown. It was madness to think that they could be conquered. Their enemies' blood would flow freely if Germany were , chained. The time was near when the sacreligious hands raised against them would be powerless. The powerful, avenging German fist would secure the prosperity of the Fatherland." It is in the light of such blustering tirades that the I value of the outcry against the peace terms should be estimated, and in the same light should the Allies be encouraged to turn a deaf ear to all demands for the modification of those terms. The position is that instead of having to deal with a repentant nation, the Allies have to encounter a dour will to brazen it out. There has been no relaxation of effort on the part of the German authorities to hide the truth from the people about German responsibility for the war, nor has the press altered its attitude of systematic mendacity under republican rule. It is perfectly clear that the BbertScheidemann regime, as well as the entire official class, consider their share of the responsibility in the crime of the war too great to bear the light of day. The people are still kept in the dark as to the real cause of the war. while the bourgeoisie, the junkers and the militarists, who know the cause, J stubbornly refuse to confess. Under such circumstances it is not difficult to understand that the proletariat should be induced to make an outcry against punishment for carrying on what they have been led to believe was a "holy war of dafence." We venture to think it was a grave error of judgment on the part of the Allies not to have made as a prominent feature of the armistice terms, a condition that in" every newspaper and periodical in Germany there should be published a statement compiled by the Allies, setting forth the true facts relating to the war, and why it would be necessary to take effective steps to stamp out militarism in the future. It is not even now too late to adopt this course, which could be made a condition precedent to ftke consideration of any counter proposals by Germany as to the 1 peace terms. No more conclusive test as to the sincerity of the present German regime could be found than willingness to let the truth be fully known, for then only could the terms be understood. "The sub-committee of the commission appointed to examine the responsibilities of the authors of the war produced a catalogue containing thirty varieties of crimes which -will blacken the name of Germany and her accomplices for centuries to come. This list might, with advantage, be also published throughout Germany, in order to show the justice of the claims for reparation, restoration and compensation. It is, in fact, the official charge-sheet of the nations in council against Germany, standing at the bar of civilisation. In the face of such a catalogue no punishment can be too severe, no reparation adequate, however large. Speaking in the House of Commons towards the elose of Mareh; last, Mr. Bonar Law said the desire of the Government was to say to Germany': "These are our terms, and you must accept them. . . . As to the amount (of the indemnity), it is all the damage caused by the war, which Germany began delibarateiy.'' Siaae tbea, eare

has been taken to ascertain the extent of Germany's power to pay, spread over a period of years, in money and raw material, and from that amount there should be no abatement. All the gallery talk about enchaining the nation and making slaves of the people is merely a means to an end. The victors are dictating terms to the vanquished, though the latter are striving their hardest to keep up the illusion that they are entitled to negotiate on equal terms. The Allies have gone so far now that no matter what the cost they must compel the Germans to carry out the terms as settled by the conference, even if it necessitates the occupation of Germany and the destruction of German towns. It is not at all probable that extreme measures will be necessary. The treaty must be signed, and its provisions strictly carried out. It is inconceivable that there will be the slightest exhibition of weakness on the Allies' part. A firm and determined attitude will suffice to counteract German bluff and bluster. It is not a question of imposing the will of the conquerors on a defeated and humiliated foe, but it is the peace of the world that is at stake, and unless that is secured all our sacrifices will have been in vain. So vast an issue places the decision of the Peace Conference on a far higher plane than if only the Allies were concerned, and it imposes On the signatories an absolute duty to insist on the acceptance of the terms as drawn up, leaving any question of modification to be decided hereafter, according to whether Germany has or has not loyally observed the conditions imposed.