MISINTERPRETATION OF PEACE OFFER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2958, 22 December 1916, Page 7

MISINTERPRETATION OF PEACE OFFER

PROTEST FROM GERMANY FOR MILITARY REASONS AN ARMISTICE NOT YET POSSIBLE (By. Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). . (Rec. December 21, 5.5 p.m.) v ::.'... : :. ' London, December 20. A German wireless message.protests that the foreign Press has repeatedly interpreted the ;offer; of peace as an attempt to obtain a truce, and states that this is a mistaken idea. The Central Powers stated their readiness to confer with the belligerents to negotiate conditions which, according! to the •belief-of the Central Powers, would make.possible the conclusion of a lasting peace. The question, at issue now is whether the Entente Powers are ready to listen to such communications from the Central Powers at the conference. The question of an armistice is totally different. The Central Powers believe that for. military reasons an-armistice would be only possible after the first basis had! been, arranged in the negotiations. Herr. Bethmann-Hollweg express- , ly stated that conditions had not yet been forwarded, but the Central Powers intend to submit conditions at the conference.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,-Renter. . . TEXT OF GERMAN PEACE NOTE PUBLISHED. (Eec. December 21, 8.5 p.m.) _~■".._,'. London, December 20. The Foreign Office has issued the text of the German Note,, which is identical with Herr Hollweg's speech'. It is noteworthy that Germany has not transmitted a copy to Cable Assn. CHEAPER TO PAY AN INDEMNITY THAN PROCEED WITH THE WAR (Rec. December 21, 835 p.m.) London, December 20. Official—The German Embassy says: "We will discuss any proposal the Allies make... Germany wiE make a big. claim for an. indemnity for East Prussia, as the Allies will-make for Belgium; but perhaps it would be cheaper to pay an indemnity than proceed with the war."The cost of sis months more of war would pay a lot of indemnities." ' . _It appears to be the inclination in German quarters to think that Bulgaria and Turkey should be forced to pay the piper at the finish.—Router. GERMANY SAID TO BE READY TO AGREE TO ENTENTE TERMS '■'■■■ \ (Bee. December 21, 8.25 p.m.) mi „m-i ,„ ' , '. Chicago, December 20. llie "Tribune's" correspondent, in a special dispatch from Washington, says if Britain wishes to know the terms of peace Germany will respond. The proposal will include disarmament, the formation of a league of nations to i enforce peace, and a definite invitation to a conference at The Hague If England makes reparation a condition of the peace : parley, Germany will agree with the suggestion., The' Teutons also want reparation, for the ravages of the Russians in their first invasion in East Prussia. The correspondent gives this as the official view of the prospects of peace.—Reutcr. INSPIRED ARTICLE REVEALS GERMAN PEACE OVERTURES. (Roc. December 21, 8.25 p.m.) „„ ~_ ~ L „ . ' . London, December 20. llie Frankfurter Zeitung," in an inspired article, reveals the German peace overtures, which include the reduction of Britain's naval supremacy, the_ re-arrangement of Continental Europe on tho basis of the present war position, colonial settlement satisfying German ambitions, and adds: "Germany recognises England's sea power, and admits she has not succeeded 1 in breaking it. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asbu. COUNT BERNSTORFF ON LLOYD GEORGE'S SPEECH. (Rec. December 21, 8.25 p.m.) xt> a • ■,•< • Washington, December 20. Count Benistorff, in discussing Mr. Lloyd George's speech, says it sounds as if they would not refuse to talk peace. The German officials oxpect Herr Hollweg will now confidentially communicate the peace terms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' ' ' GREAT GULF BETWEEN BRITISH AND GERMAN STANDPOINTS.- ' (Rec. December 21, 5.5 p.m.) • n-i „„ ~ m ~ 1L „ , Amsterdam, December 20. ■ x , i h . e . Berliner Tageblatt says the gulf at present at any rate between the British and German standpoints is very great. The Berlin "Ldkal Anzeiger" says: "If Mr. Lloyd Georgo moans to postpone satisfying Europe's desire for peace until the Entente Powers aro victorious it means eternal war, unless the German army is able to briii"- it to an earlier termination than Mr. Lloyd George, supposes." Reutcr. ° COMMENTS OF A. DUTCH NEWSPAPER. (Rec. December 21, 5.5 p.m.) ' ,'„ „ Amsterdam, December 20. "De Telegraaf says :"Tf tho Central Powers hoped to sow confusion jrraiong the Entente Powers, the speech (Mr. Lloyd George's) shows their complete mistake. If the Kaiser really wants to end the world's blood bath let jjim evacuate territory and pay, tho damage."—Reutcr.

AMERICAN PRESS COMMENTS ON LLOYD GEORGE'S SPEECH New York, December 20. The Now York "Times," commenting on Mr. Lloyd George's speech, states that it leaves the way opon for a further exchange of Notes. The statement that he does not wish te check Gorman development refutes a calumny against Britain. The Allies havo all civilisation except the Central Powers supporting them in their demand for tbo extermination of Prussian militarism, which is an essential condition of peace. Tho New York "Tribune" says the reply is simple and straightforward. "Wo shall now see whether tho German proposal is a manoouvro or in earnest. The restoration of Belgium and Serbia must be the minimum conditions for even a discussion of peaco. The New York "World" says: "If Germany refuses to disclose her terms she confesses that her original proposals wore merely a diplomatic false pretence." Tho "Sun" says; "Mr. Lloyd George spoke with tho force of England, that does not turn back or quit without results."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. ' APPROVAL OF THE BRITISH PRESS. London, December 20. The newspapers unanimously approve of Mr. Lloyd George's statement on the Allies' attitude towards the German peaco offer.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WE SHALL PUT OUR TRUST IN AN UNBROKEN ARMY. London, December 20.' .Following his reference in the House of Commons to the ever-present swashbuckling menace of Prussia, Mr. Lloyd-George saii: "The mere word that led Belgium to hor own destruction will not satisfy Europe any more. We all believed it; we all trusted it; but it gave way to the first pressure of temptation, and Europe was plunged into a vortex of blood. We will therefore wait until we hear what terms and guarantees. the German Government will offer better than those, surer than those, which she so lightly broke. Meantime we shall put our trust in an unbroken army rather than in broken faith." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. MASSEY'S UTTERANCES DENOUNCED BY THE HUNS.' (Rec. December 21, 8.5 p.m.) London, December 20. Several German newspapers denounce Mt. Massey's utterances on the peaco proposals, the "Vorwarts" asserting that the New Zcalaider's opinion would not influence responsible Englishmen.—"The Times." ' NEW PEACE MOVEMENT,IN SCANDINAVIA. ifiec. December 21, 8.55 p.m.) • London, December 20. ■A Berlin wireless states that a now peace movement is being considered in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland, in which they wish tho co-oper-ation of Holland.—Reuter. LORD CURZON MAKES A STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. London, December 20. In the House of Lords, Lord Curzon made a statement similar to the Premier's. He did not regard the Coalition as a failure. Germany's success in Rumania was not as great as she claimed. Our attitude should not bo one of despondency or alarm. The Marquis of Crewe generally approved of tbo_ Government policy. The late Government could easily have lost the war in a month by doing some of the things pressed from certain quarters. He feared the same thing would he true now. Lord Courtney did not believe our ends were attainable by military operations. We should regard Herr Bethmann-Hollweg's speech more sympathoU i'cally.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. "THE CRY OF PEACE IS A CRY OF WEAKNESS" , Paris, December 20,. Speaking in the Senate, M. Briand said the Allies "will in concert prepare a, reply immediately, intimating clearly that it is impossible to take the peace proposals seriously while Germany is calling up the last reserves of her population and deporting the inhabitants of Belgium. Germany is passing through difficult times. She is wavering. She is not victorious, and not conscious that peace may come otherwise; hut would impose it on theworld. This cry of peace is a cry of weakness. Our answer is our victory at Verdun." . ADVOCATE OF PAN-GERMAN WAR VIEWS DISMISSED. ' Berlin, December 20. The "Tageblatt" has dismissed Major Moraht, the well-known military writer, for. advocating Pan-German war views.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. ASQUITH REVIEWS THE BRITISH SHARE IN THE WAR GERMANY'S PEACE OFFEE THE RESULT OF '' MILITARY NECESSITY •London, December 21. Oil rising to speak in the House of Commons after Mt. Lloyd George, Mr. Asquith was loudly cheered. He heartily congratulated Mr. Lloyd George on attaining the Premiership, and re-echoed his disclaimer of party ties. He did not claim the leadership of the Opposition, because an Opposition did not exist, nor did ho speak as Leader of tho Liberals. He desired to give the Government every possible support and the benefit of his experience. Though he was unspeakably relieved to cast off tho almost insupportable burdens f.f office, he regretted he was compelled to leave unfinished the task on which ho had so long and strenuously worked. ; : Though there had been errors of judgment and method, he emphatically denied that the late Government had been guilty of slackness, lack of thoroughness, and wholoheartodness. It was impossible- in war time to reply to irresponsible mud-slingers, nor to honest patriotic onlookers. He would be content, when the facts were disclosed, to leave his Government and his own part to the judgment of history. ~' . Mr Asquith reviewed' the British contribution te the war by the Army, Navv, and finance. Much had been done to minimise the results of the enemy's violation of maritime warfare, and he behoved the arming of merchantmen was the best safeguard'. Evidence existed that the blockade of Germany was sapping German vitality, and turning the thoughts of tho Germau people towards peace. . Mr Asquith considered tho prospect regarding finance and transport serious, but it did not justify misgivings, still less alarm; but problems_would not he solved by short cuts and coups de main, as outside critics imagined. Mr Asquith agreed that Mr. Lloyd George's opinion that Rumania liadi been a bad business, but it was impossible and not desirable at present to apportion the responsibility. He illustrated the necessity for more intimate coooeratkm of the Allied staffs and politicians, which was now geographically difficult. If Mr. Lloydl George devised more expeditious communications, ho would render the greatest possible service to tho Allied cause. i Mr Asquith paid a tribute to the Somme armies and Sir Douglas liaig s generalship. Tho primary object of the Somme operations was to relieve Verdun which for months was the principal objective of German strategy, lho loss'of Verdun would have been the greatest blow to the Allied cause m the Mr Asquith asked why Germany, professedly confident of victory, had beeun to offer suggestions of peace. It was not chivalry; it was born of military and economic necessity. He did not see the slightest reason to believp that Germany was prepared! to give reparation and security. If the t-ermans were prepared, let them say so. Germany wanted us to enter ■ blindfold into negotiations leading to tothing. The only peace worthy of the namowould secure atonement for past wrongs, the restoration of the weak and downtrodden, and the revival of faith in treaties and the sovereignty of tho public law.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SUPPORT OF THE IRISH PARTY FOR LLOYD GEORGE'S WAR London, December 20. Mr John Redmond (Leader of the Irish -Nationalists) eulogised the patriotism, reticence, and magnanimity of Mr. Asquith's speech, and his labours on behalf of Ireland. He assured the Government that it could rely on the support of the Irish Party for any policy which the latter believed was calculated to bring about a speedy and victorious end to the war; but he did not mean that the Premier could count on bund, unquestioning support. _ be had heard Mr. Lloyd George's references to Ireland with the deepest.disappointment They were vaguo, indefinite, and lacking .the quality of quick decision which they had been led to expect. Tho Irish question was an urgent war problem, and the Irish Party's attitude must depend on the Government s action towards it. Mr. Lloyd George had suggested neither palliative nor cure Mr Redmond urged the immediate withdrawal of martial law and the release of'untried prisoners, as best calculated to create a better atmosphere. Drift was the worst possible polioy. The Government should take the initiative He warned them against imposing conditions regarding recruiting and conscription. The time was ripe for bold, drastic action.

APPROVAL OP MR. TIMOTHY HEALY. (Rec. December 21, 8.5 p.m.) London, December 20. Mr. Timothy Healy approved the Government's reply to Germany, and 6aid: "Wo cannot sign a peace which fails to return to France every acre she held'boforo the 1870 war."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.-Rcutcr. NATION'S RESOLVES AND WISHES COMPLETELY REFLECTED. (Rec. December 21, 8.5 p.m.) London, December 20. The "Times," in a leader, says: "Mr. Lloyd George's war programme completely reflects Britain's resolves and wishes. The nation endorses tho vast momentous programme, gladly following his lead."—"Tho Times. '