The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-15


 did not wish to be units. They ar- dently desired to direct their own affairs. would be satisfied only by indisputed independence.
 PARTLY EXECUTED
 And they have actually carried the greater part of that amazing plan into execution. Look how things stand
 From Hamburg to the Persian gulf the net is spread.
 Is it not easy to understand the eagerness for peace that has been manifested from Berlin ever since the snare was set and sprung? Peace peace, peace has been the talk of her foreign office for now year and more; not peace upon her own initia- tive but upon the initiative of the nations over which she now dreams herself to hold the advantage A lit- tie of the talk has been public, but most of it has been private. Throug.l all sorts of guises, but never with the terms disclosed which the Ger man government would be willing to accept The government has other valuable pawns in it's hands besides those I have mentioned. It still holds a valuable part of France, though
 
 tically the whole of Belgium It's armies press close upon Russia and overrun Poland at their will It can not go further; 1t dare not go back. It wishes to close it's bargain before it is too late and it has little left to offer for the pound of flesh it will demand.
 SEE PLAINLY
 The military masters under whom Germany is bleeding see very clearly to what point fate has brought them. If they fall back, or are forced back an inch, their power both abroad and at home will fall to pieces like a house of cards. It is their power at home they are thinking about now more than their power abroad It is that power which is trembling under their very feet and deep fear has en- tered their hearts.
 They have but one chance to per- petuate their military power or even their controlling political influence. If they can secure peace now with the immense advantages still in their hands, which they have up to this point apparently gained, they vii: have justified themselves before the German people. their prestige will be secure. and with their prestige their political power. If they faii their people will thrust them aside; a government accountable to the people themselves will be set up in Germany as it has been in England, in the United States. in France, and in al. the great countries of the modern time, except Germany. If they sue ceed they are safe and Germany is saved and the world will be at peace If they succeed America will fall with in the menace. We and all the rest of the world must remain armed as they will remain. and must make ready for the next step in their ag- sression; if they fail the world may unite for peace and Germany may be one of the union.
 NEW INTRIGUE
 Do you not now understand the new intrigue, the intrigue for peace, and why the masters of Germany do not hesitate to use any agency that promises so effect their purpose? The acceit of the nations, Their present particular aim is to deceive all those who throughout the world stand for the rights of peoples and the self government of nations; for they see what immense strength the forces of justice anG o. liberalism are gather ing cut cf this war They are em- They gre using men in Germany and