PRO-GERMAN PEACE MOVE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2944, 2 December 1916, Page 5

PRO-GERMAN PEACE MOVE

■AN AFTER-WAR LEAGUE OF NATIONS

BRITAIN'S VIEW

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Washington, November 2D. Mr. Taffc, President of the. League to EnforCo Peace, states that the league does not seek to end the war, its sole purpuse being to establish a- League of Nations after the war. 'Plio statement, is regarded as a snub to proGcrmau members who are advocating a movement to end the war. New York, November 29. | JJr. Tart states, that Mr. Jacob Schift', who lias advocated the' nationwide peace meetings, voiced Ms personal 'views, and not the opinions of the League to Enforce Peace. The league has passed a resolution repudiating Mr. Schiff's movement. VISCOUNT GREY'S ANSWER TO THE . LEAGUE London, November 30. In the House of Commons, Lord Robert Cecil said that Viscount Grey, answering a. telegram from the League to Enforce- Peace, had said that his public utterances must have, already mado it : clear to -the league that he sincerelv desired to see a leaguo of nations formed to make effective and secure tho future peace of the world. He regarded this as Uie best, if not tho only, prospect of preserving treaties and saving tho world from wars in years to como. Sir W. P. B.vles asked: BoesUho German Chancellor agree? Lord Robert Cecil: 1 do not know; and I do not much caro. . GERMAN CHANCELLOR " WILLING" BUT DOES NOT STATE TERMS. New York, November 30. A.message., from Berlin states that in an interview' ' the German Imperial Chancellor (Herr von Bethmann-Holl-weg) said:—"Again wo have declared our willingness to enter into negotiations for peace, but there has been no response. Our attitude is in some quarters represented as being dictated by weakness. .As far, surely,.as the events of tho past year liavo-Jdemnn-strated, wo did not speak out of weakness or fear, just as tho events of tho coming year will demonstrate. If wo adhere to our willingness to consider the cessation of the '■struggle, wo are 'obeying the simple dictates of humanity and not of apprehension. I say this without concern for the -ultimate issue of the struggle, howevor prolonged, but under the solemn consciousness of the sanctity, of the flame of lifo, which should not he lightly extinguished try human misunderstandings which common counsel might dissipate." ' ■< The Chancellor, shrugging his shoulders, continued: "But, of course, if our enemies are obdurate and choose to continue their hopeless endeavour,, we will only continue to make them nay the bitter price of their folly. The German soul is i'esolnte and undaunted. Against our firm, far-reaching lines i the billows of attack break in vain." Ther,o is nothing to affright us in any quarter. To-morrow we. will embark on an entcrpriso of defence of staggering magnitude. There _ has never been a mobilisation of national energy on so great a scale. An Act for the mobilisation of people for non-mili-tary service will be introduced in the Reichstag- to-morrow (Wednesday). Germany is absolutely determined to carry tiie war through, and is thus summoning tho whole rjower of the united people. Yet, while the_will of the people grows more determined to carry tho struggle to any length necessary as an indication of our national integrity and destiny,' it has ever been, and is now, our dosire to resume amicable exertions for peace as soon as we are allowed." Herr Hollweg quoted extracts from speeches by President Wilson and Mr. Asquith, and his own speech in the Reichstag, and contended that they all gave evidence of .a desiro eventually l for a world's tribunal to enfbrco peace. Ho commented on the similarity of the sentiment of the speeches, and added: "Tho death of Emperor Francis Joseph only means the passing of the sceptre to younger hands. With the same firm purpose and determination Austria will stand shoulder to shoulder with Germany in the common impulse r to vindicato the Imperial destiny." ENGLISH BISHOP AT EUHLEBBN IMPRESSIONS OF A. "PERMITTED VISIT." Australian-Xnw Zealand Cable Association. (Reo. December 1, 9.50 p.m.) Berne, December 1. The Bishop of Bury has arrived from Ruhleben, where he spent some weeks by Germany's'permission in the freest intercourse witli the men. No Germans were near. Ho says fo-left the interned men with the feeling that he was prouder than ever to bo an Englishman. Ho obtained permission to sing the National Anthem, which was done with tho utmost cntlrusiasm. Their Majesties' message of sympathy and encouragement was received with gratitude.