SERBIA ASSURED' BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2953, 16 December 1916, Page 9

SERBIA ASSURED' BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE.

(Sec. December 15, 11.20 p.m.) London, December 15. Mr. Lloyd George and M. Pasitch (tlio-Serbian Premier) have .exchanged messages reiterating the Allies' determination to prosecute tho war until Serbia's independence was restored.— 1 Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.-Router. ENEMY WANTS A ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE INDISCREET COUNT BERNSTOREF. \ York, December 14. Count Bernstorff says that a confer-: ence. of the belligerent Powers is an essential preliminary to any steps towards peace. Germany wants a roundtable conference at Tho Hague, to ascertain whether a basis of discussion can be reached. He professes to be optimistic at the chances of the Allies agreeing to a conference. Tho "New York Herald" says the Allies will not overlook the. Prussian terms, as outlined by the Washington Embassy. Count Bernstorff's volte face shows that he talked too freely. Another plan has been spoiled owing to his eagerness, to outline the terms in the minds of Prussian diplomats. The "New York Sun" ■ characterises the peace overtures as Berlin's trial balloon.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICA WILL MERELY TRANSMIT THE PROPOSALS Nov; York, December 14. Tho State Department has received Geimanv's Peace Note, which is identical with the published text, and transmitted to tho American Embassadors for. presentation to the. Allied Govern--, ments It. is understood at Washington that President AVilson is likely to be cautions, merely 'transmitting the nipssages, and will probably bo guided by the tenor of Mr..Lloyd George's speech. 'Ihe "Morning Post" leariis authoritatively from Washington -that the American Government will only act r.s agent? in the peace proposals;, and will do .nothing,''.bdyond that—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' ' MOTION lIV UNITED STATES CONGRESS CONDITIONS OF PEACE. (Rec. December 15, 10 p m.) London, December 14. Senator" Gardiner has introduced ft resolution asking Congress Lot to participate in promoting an unjust pcace. America, he said, should not support peace unless it provided for the return all the territories, 'the payment of indemnities to the Allies, and the cisarinament of Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FAMINE THE SPUR London, December 14. The New York "Times" Berlin correspondent says that the German attitude is that the Central Powers have •agreed_ to' specific terms of .peace, but the Allies cali only learri these by agreeing to participate in a conference. ' . The "New York Tinies" states that Germany knows she cannot win. The food scarcity reaches the verge of starvation; but her overtures cannot he dismissed as a clever manoeuvre. Such a view would put the Allies deplorably in the, wrong. The Allies, by a joint statement, should . proclaim definitely the purpose,for which they are -fighting. 'They would thus- retain neutral goodwill. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' PAN-GERMAN PEACE TERMS

MORE IMPOSSIBLE THAN THE . "others; ■ Amsterdam, December 14. Pan-German leagues are'distributing a peace programme which includes the retention of Belgfiim '. and the French, coast to -the "mouth "of - the Somme, as representative of the -vi&ws of six of the'most important industrial-associa-tions . ITprr W'lllf, in the "Tageblatt." expose;; tliis •as the armament-makers' plot. Hpir TWentlow. in the ''Deutsche Zfitung."'warns the. Chancellor nob to surrender the Belgian or Fl.mfir.,.c jf tlio Germans leave Bel"in"i. England will become nrstress of I'.onb-inrup; -in(l Germany's position in t'ip North woiild' become impossible. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn." "(Ree. December 15. 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, December 14. Herr Thcodor AVoolff protests against the publication of the loading'lndustrial Associations' peace programme, which demands the annexation of Poland. Lithuania, the Baltic Provinces. Belgium, and the French coast to the mouth of the Somme. Herr WoolfF asks: "Will peace ever be signed if we speak of keeping Belgium? It is the people who are getting over-rich in ibis war who are making these demands." —'Aus.-N.Z.. Cable Assn. "A FRESH TRAP," SAYS RUSSIA Potrograd, December 14. Authoritative opinion on the peace proposals is that it is a fresh trim. Pre-: nmtiire nonce would be a terribly mis-, tak". The Allies must proceed to a final h-iumnh.—Renter. (Rec. December -10, 5.50 p.m.) Potrograd, December 11. The whole of the Russian Press tears the German pence proposal to ra«s. The newspapers declare that it is primarily intended to make the Germans believe that a continuance of the war has been forced upon Germany.—Renter. A SURPRISE TO JAPAN (Rec. December 15. 9.10 p.m.) Tokio, December 14. The German peace proposals'enmo-es a surprise. The Stock Exchango who thrown into a state of panic, and shares fell heavily. The exchange has been closed till December 16. ■Influential opinion'does not I eliove that the Allies will consider the pro- ; posal.—Reuter.