General Smuts, speaking at Sheffield on Wednesday, defined our chief
war aim as the end of militarism, the end of standing armies. A good peace must obliterate Germany's " war-map " and deprive her of every inch of her temporary gains. It must also recognize and secure the rights of all small nations. General Smuts said that a negotiated peace would be the most dangerous thing we could have at present. As we point out elsewhere, it is for the Allies to dictate a peace after victory, and not to negotiate a peace with a treacherous enemy. General Smuts spoke rather vaguely about the possibility of a Peace Conference if and when Germany had agreed to evacuate Belgium, to surrender her gains, and to recognize the rights of small nations. But he seemed to be con- vinced that on the main terms, at any rate, of a durable peace there could be no bargaining at all.
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