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GEIRMANY'S WARt DRAIN.
The disclosure that has been made
by Count Okuma, the Prime Minister of
Japan, of tihe attempt made by Ger
many to effect a separate peace, with
Japan and Russia affords proof of the
Zfliculties that are slowly over
whelminng the enemy. RIussia and
Japan were coupled together, for
although Japan is thli Ally of Great
Britain, shel is virtually suplplying
Russia with munitions and arms, and
therefore is practically joining Russia
in the fighting. That Germany is, or
rather was, a wealthy countryj, and tllhatl
she had long been preplaring for the
war, are well known facts; hut' when
she entered upon this terrible contest
she had no conception of tlhe position
in which elghteen months of fighting
would find her. Ill that period of time,
notwithstanding lher occupation of
part of Belglum, France, and Rtussian
territory, she has suffered such a
wastage of money and resources of all
kinds that she now sees that defeiqt
must await her. It was for this reason
that the attempt to make peace with
Russia and Japan was put forward.
Germany's Allies are a doubtful asset
to ier. Austria is going down in the
battles agalist the Italians and the
RItusslans. The Bulgarians are ill
disposed to fight for ipurely Teutonie
ends, while Turkey is already becom
ing dissatisfied with the German rule1
and" oppression. Nolle of Germany's
Allies are financially strong. Austria
has now depleted' hier treasury, and
both Roumania and Turkey hlave to be
aided by grants from Germany.
Whlcther these, a'e imade in slecice or
in paper Is hot stated. Thle drain upon
Germany merely to feed iher troops in
tile various trenches must be enor
mous, and it is constantly increasing.
The cost of maintaining the mnanufac
ture of munitions must also be im
mense. All the time while her money,
specio or paper, is rapidly going out,
there is no renewal of tile funds. Ge'r
man commerce is dead, and so is hier
credit abroad. Viewed flom the finan
cial and economic ipoint of view tlhere
can be buit one termination to the war,
though it may be long before it comnies.
The attempt to conclude a separate
peace with two hostile Powers is
another illustration of Germany's utter
inability to realise that nations can be
guided by high-minded motives. Ger
many apparently thought that both
Russia and Japan could be made to
break their allegiance to their Allies
by some concession. She does nlot
realise that she has aroused through
out the countries which are now com
bating hier, as well as throughout some
that are neutral, a feeling that the
world will not be safe until her
viciousness and rabid militarism have
been stamped out From a diplomatic
point of view, to attempt to make
Japan commit a breach of her treaty
with Great Britain was one of those
clumsy diplomatic efforts for which
Germany has already hiecome noted.
Japan realises thoroughly which coun
try it is best to have for her friend
and ally, independent of the fact that
neither she nor any other Power will
put faith in German treaties or under
takings. Another remarkable feature
in connection with these suggestions of
peace Is the inability of Germany to
perceive that her enemies aire bent on
punishing lier for her misdeeds. The
ruins of the territories she has wan
tonly invaded are mute appeals for re
venge. The memories of the cruelties,
the torture, the murders, and worse
that have been committed are painful
but stern reminders of the vengeance
that must befall those who have
been guilty of tlhese slhocking deeds.
There is a deadly and grim earnest in
the fighting which must illustrate to
the enemy the fixity of purpose of the
Allies. The way may be long, and the
difficulties will be great, but they can
bear the strain while Germany cannot
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