PRESIDENT WILSON'S PEACE OVERTURES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2960, 26 December 1916, Page 5

PRESIDENT WILSON'S PEACE OVERTURES

V.'"' TROUBLE PENDING fuiJ. LANSING'S RESIGNATION AND MYSTERIOUS ffINTS (By Telegraph— Aesociatioii—Copyright). \ i (Reo. December 1 24, 5.5 p.m.) ,'j ~ , _.* . - . Nflw YOFk,.December 22. ' PrJln/X' Sectary of State, is, resigning owing to of Tar repudiating his statement that America was oil the verge she hinted I America entered the war, Ehe , would turn the. scale wluchever way she sided. Friends of the Allies ; ft' ?"? as an indication that Present Wilson is deterndned to bring mTSXbB.T 06 V 65 that , America -null not fight against stetemisifc, ssid.tbafc America was'on the verce of ' f **S 10 know what tile"belligerents seek, for the purpose of regulating America's future conduct.; Sir. Lansinir bad h <vi»far enoe. with the Present, and then, issued the following staiement;-i-"I had no intended io mtimate that the Government was considering a change of policy in neutrality, which has been consistently pursued, and regret mv were opentoany other construction. I .'] . 1 • i ANOTHER, EXPLANATION FROM. MR. LANSING. ■ " (Rec. December 24, 11.50 p.m.) ,¥ r ' ,V® nsi °S regrets, the British in terpretation - of" the" that he did not mean that President Wilson believes thfi belWereTte' olieits ' Sble Assn am? ' Ut .statesmen same thing.-Aus.-N.Z. AMERICA HAS'NO SYMPATHETIC INTEREST WITH GERMANY. Washington correspondentof the "Neiy J" in tS e R rf Ort r ato comolden , < i e ? f atoB > i' is ridiculous to suppose that . thei United States jias any sympathetio interest with Germany. Mr. Lansine's statement means that the United States fears that • the resumption of submarine waifere may force America to participate in tho war. President Wiln»tt S M 1 uwr? Pfce Note dates back to'the sinking of tho Sussex (last March). The President realised that if Germany failed to redeem * pieces the United States would be. forced te join the Allies. Mr Gerard (American Ambassador at Berlin) also influenced President Wilson. rrME 7 d p enfc 18 P° SR ! b ! O that fear that the AlUes would En!z S it™ 1 " ' preapitated the of the Note »- PURPOSE OF THE NOTE IS TO FORCE GERMANY TO y DECLARE HER;.OBJECTS.' • The "New York Times" considers the fnJ; 2 ' r many to declare her objects, which tho Allies have already done Germany ha's faded to accomplish her ends, and peace to her is becoming an urgent necessity ~ ' ? Chicago Herald says: 'British opinion .will.dwell on°the fact that the Note was issued soon after Herr Hollweg's speech The PrS™?' expect all the criticism the cables will carry."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. , PROBABLE EFFORT AT SECRET BARGAINING. (Eeo. December 24, 11.50 p.m.) iT7 it • t j 'i - ' x Washington, December 23. Well-informed oircles stats that Germany will answer President Wilson by giving her peace terms confidentially, which would be interpreted a an endeavour to nse Amenca as an agent for secret bargaining, -ft is unlikely , that America will agree.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. y GERMAN VICTORY WOULD BE THE GREATEST PERIL TO AMERICA (Reo. December 24, 11.50 p.m.) ; mi „ w 1- t rr- i, an Washington, December 23. J ha + New York Times" says: "GGrmany must now decide whether to terms acceptable to the AUies, or continue to fight subjeot to tho probability that at anot distant future the United States will enter tho war '• th « '» SEVERE CRITICISM . BY THE BRITISH PRESS •m. - m , ~, • „ , • London, December, 22. . .. Telegraph reoßils that' after two years of bloody ond devastatiflg cml war the Northeni States were without apparent prospect of triumph, had been beaten again.and again. How would Americans have regarded such an appeal a i s President Wilson's ifaddressed to the belligerents at the time of Vioksburg and Gettysburg P . ■

.' The "Daily Chroniclo" says: ''('resident "Wilson bases his intervention on j of humanity, yet he was silent when Belgium was treacherously and ruthlessly attacked, her homes burned, oivilians butchered, and women violated. He did not protest at_ the baby killing ab Whitby and Scarborough*, and the massacre of half a million Armenians. Ho,only protested against the Lusitania, Ancona, and Sussox massacres because American citizens perished. Irue, American interests have suffered by the war, bub fchoy have gained great wealth. The most painful passage in the Note is President Wilson's statement that the objeots of both belligerents are virtually the same. This is a deep insult to the Allies. We do not ask America for favours, but we do ask to be allowed to finish our world work." The "Glasgow Herald" says: "The Allies have only one duty: to go on demanding complete restitution, full reparation, and effectual guarantees." The Liverpool "Post" says: "The appeal is maladroit, unless President Wilson's wall-meaning efforts aVo directed towards eliciting from Germany the concrete terms of peace she has withheld." The Manchester "Guardian" states that the German people should be told England- does not intend the utter and final destruction of their country. The Allies hawe already intimated to Germany that they are ready to hear her views upon peace. London newspapers are discussing the possibility of President Wilson initiating, embargo legislation in Congress with a view to preventing the export of war goods to the Allies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN ADVICE TO PUT A HOPE ROUND ENGLAND'S NECK London, December 22. /The "Cologne.Gazette," in discussing President Wilson's'attitude towards the peace proposals!, savs that, owing to the difficulty of getting com in Argentina, England is eagerly purchasing North American supplies, and producing high prices.'There-will be starvation in. the United States unless President Wilson vetoes the exports, and thus puts a rope around England's ncck. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. -- SOME GERMAN 'NEWSPAPERS REGARD THE NOTE 'AS A ' PUT-UP JOB, - ,(Rec. December 25, 0.20 a.m.) * ■ London, December 23.. Wireless-messages state that President Wilson's ;Note aroused widespread interest in Germany. One group of newspapers view it favourably, but others regard it as an attempt to help Britain at a critical moment—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.-Reuter. (Reo. December 24, 11.50 p.m.) * Amsterdami December 23. The "Kolnische Yolk Zefyung" regards the Note as a put-up job to enable America, who has put money at the disposal of the Entente, to secure good terms for her debtors, and 60 enable them to repay her. The "Westphalian Gazette" considers that America has been put up to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. President Wilson even threatens us with war. Germany has proposed j peace, and does not want America's mediation. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ATTITUDE OF PEOPLE AND PARLIAMENT OF FRANCE (Rec; December 25, 5.5 p.m.) . Paris, December 24. The Senate, by 194 votes to 60, Passed a vote of confidence in the Government. The resolution ombodied the same sentence as the one addressed to the enemies of France by the Revolutionary Convention in 1793: "France oannot_ make -peace with enemies occupying her territory:" The public is enthusiastic and interpret this as a reply to Germany and to President Wilt son.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' ' (Rec. December 25, 0.20 a.m.) < Paris, December 23. Newspaper comments are unanimous that • President Wilson's Note is a mistake since it establishes.no difference-between aggressors and aggressed. -Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. FRENCH SOCIALISTS WARNED 'BY A COUNTRYMAN (Rec. December. 23, 5.5 p.m.) ' Paris, December 22. M. Gustav Horve warns French Socialists that they are walking into a trap set by Berlin by demanding to see the.Kaiser's conditions of peace, and adds: "Germany will not produoo conditions which will make the . French working: class shudder with horror, but such as will make all the peasantry gape with delight. . Expressing flattering admiration for France, Germany will offer to evacuate Franco and Belgium, and then ask if the French are willing to' fight to restore Poland and give Constantinople to Russia. If a pacifist wave follows you will have broken iho moral mainspring of France and have saved German militarism. The Kaiser does not ask us for peace; he only wants us to talk, and onco that starts ho undertakes to divide and embroil them until a German peace is accepted.—Reuter. THE PRESIDENT'S INTERVENTION INOPPORTUNE. tßec. December 25, 5.5 p.m.) .. ' ; Rome, December 23. It&licLii nowsp&pcrs oonsioor President iWjlson's intervention inopportune and the suggestions impracticable!—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rcc. December 25, 5.5 p.m.) , ... . Rome, December 24. After Signor. CJastilli's speech proclaiming Italy's firm resolve to push the war to victory, the Senate unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Government.—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■ ' ' • THE NOTE A TREMENDOUS BLUNDER., N ' Amsterdam, December 23. Dutch opinion generally regards President Wilson's action as intentionally: or unintentionally unfriendlv to the Entente, especially Britain. "De Telegraaf" describes the Notoas a tremendous blunder, and refers to President Wilson's immense tactlessness in seeing no difference between assassins and their victims.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. f ■ WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR HUMANITY IN THIS WAR? ' T. .; ..... . _ Ottawa, December 22. Intense indignation against President Wilson's peace Note is expressed in, Canada. The newspapers bitterly comment on President Wilson's .tion that he is acting in the name of humanity, and are asking what"he ever did for the benefit of humanity in this war. It is generally regarded that the Not©, will preclude the United States having a single word to say when the real peace negotiations begin.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AN INDIRECT BUT UNMISTAKABLE REPLY TO THE PRESIDENT London, December 22. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law said ;the nation was suffering terrible agqny because it had trusted Germany. He asked, could a promise of peace-be more binding than the treaty to protect the neutrality of - Belgium ? What would be the position if peace was settled on the German basis of a victorious army? /The dangers, and miseries from which the world was snffering i were only curable by ma long the Germans realise that fright£u!e£sS- does not pay. We are fighting for security and peace in tho coming ' times. The war would ba.ve been fought vainly unless it ensured that tio Birigle man or group of men was able to plunge the world into tho miseries of war. . . ■ Mr. Bonar Law's short, impromptu'speech was fervid and passionate in intensity. It is regarded as an indirect but unmistakable reply to President Wilson's Note.—Reuter. BRITAIN WILL DEAL WITH THE NOTE AFTER CONSULTING THE ALLIES. London, December 22. In the House of Commons. Sir. Bonar Law. replying to Mr. W. H. Byles, stated that President Wilson's Note would be dealt with after communication with the Allies. INFLEXIBLE DETERMINATION OF THE EMPIRE. . • London, December 22. The King's speech, proroguing Parliament, alludes to tho vigilance and valour of the Army and Navy. It expresses confidence, however long the struggle, ■in tbe_ inflexiblo determination of all the subjects of the Empire to achieve a victorious consummation of our war aims. I Tho Government,' was reconstructed solely with the object of furthering thoso aims, and neither altered nor impaired tho vigorous prosecution of the war. There must be a single endeavour until we vindicate the rights violated by the enemy, and establish Europe's security on a sure foundation. It concludes with expressing assurance of the united support of ali the King's people in this sacred cause, and invoices God's blessing.—Aus.-N Z Cablo Assn. WE MUST NOT KNUCKLE DOWN BEFORE THE WAR IS OVER. London, December 22. Sir Joseph Word, addressing a meeting of influential commercial men. deprecated misguided expressions of opinion regarding the war. "We should not allow suggestion from a great outside country to influence us to knuckle down before the war is over." he said. "New Zealand will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Mother Country until the purposes of the war are. carried out." —Reuter. WILL' AMERICA REALISE THE CALL OF DESTINY I ' (Rec. December 25. 5.5.p.m.) • r 't. j « • ± 1 New YBrk > December 24. Mr. Lloyd George, interviewed by "Everybody's Magazine." said: "The world's hopo is that America would realise tho call of destiny hv making her tones louder and more insistent as the terrible, months pass. That destiny lies in the enforcement of international law and rights."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE NOTE HAS TURNED BACK THE CLOCK OF PEACE. ' (Rec. December 25, 5.5 p.m'.) . ... , ~ ~l r New York, December 24. Mr. Hall Came in a letter to the "New York Times," says-lie does uot doubt President Wilson s sincerity, but there is a lack of feeling in the Note which is surprising and 1 almost stupefying. Never in the hist-orv 0 f diplomacy has such a tragically untimely offer been mado by the head of a great nation. The Not© has turned back the clock of peace by months.—Aus.-N Z Cable 'Assn.

WILSON G.RATIFIED WITH THE RECEPTION OF HIS NOTE. (Rec. Decembor 26j 1.10 a.m.) White House officially states that President Wikou" 1' 'that "l "" 1 hai t l h6 f Note ' • Tkis that ills abSlutS neutral, \\hen b© sQufc the Not© h© foresaw that its first reception would Jm hostile, but he persists that lie has the to know the details of what the nabons expect to attain. 1< or instance, would Prance be willing to quit if the Germans evacuated France and Belgium, or does she ipsist on getting Alsace and; (Lorraine, and demand an indemnity on the top of that? Also what is definitely meant, by crushing militarism.? Despite the Press leaders comments the President has the utmost faith that tho belligerents will como to jus way ol thinking.—Reuter. .&,»<?»«» IF A LEAGUE TO. ENFORCE PEACE IS FORMED. (Rec. December 24, 11.50 p.m.)' ti Cf i n , ~~, Washington, December 23. Die btate Department announces that if the peace negotiations result in a league to enforce peace, the United States rail no longer follow the historic policy of avoiding entangling alliances, and will probably'ally PanAmerican with, certain European Powers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' DISAGREEMENT IN ENEMY COUNTRIES REGARDING PEACE CONDITIONS _ ( . Lontfoflj December 22. ihe Daily Telegraph's" Homo correspondent states that information from German sources indicates disagreement among enemy countries regard ing the peace conditions. Austria and Bulgaria are the most intractable iurkey is prepared to make sacrifices. In consequence of the discord Germany merely asked for a conference. The' Note was intended 'to demoralise the people of the Entente nations, but its reception is demoralising the uennlpq of fte Central Powers.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. - - ■ pl ® 3 m, „ The Hague, December 22. iL i. il 0 ?® rman newspapers assert that the German Government anticipates that the Entente's reply will not definitely reject peace. If 'the Entente leaves the door open for negotiations Germany will immediately declare her principal peace terms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. (Rec. December 24, 5.5 p.m.) m, , , , . „ •v , Amsterdam, December 23. ihe first reports from Germany indicate great relief, and the newspapers are supporting Herr Hollweg. ~ The "Frankfurter Zeitung," in further discussing the German terms of peace, Says: ''Bulgaria will be made the dominant Power in the Balkans by the incorporation of parts of Serbia, Rumania, and Macedonia. Rumania must choose between vassalage to the Germanic Powers and conversion into an Austrian province; Turkey will be confirmed in her European position King Constantino rewarded, and Serbia, reduced to impotence."—Aus -N Z' Cable Assn. RENEWED OUTBURST OP FURY IN GERMANY. (Rec. December 23, 5.5 p.m.) m, „. r , London, December 22. The. Matin s Zurich correspondent slates that the Entente's statements and speeches on the German peace Note have provoked a renewed outburst of fury. There is an unanimous call on the Government .for the forQible Assn tho war against Britain and , France.—Aus.-N.Z. UNWORTHY OF SERIOUS CONSIDERATION (Rec. December 24, 5.5 p.m.) m, ~ jr ■ Petrograd, December 22-. ihe Government will reply_to_ the German peace proposals, rejecting them • on .the ground of vagueness, insincerity, and that they are unworthy of serious consideration.—Reuter. BRITISH ANSWER TO THE GERMAN NOTE IN ABOUT TEN DAYS '' — (Rec. Decombcr 26, 1.10 a.m.) • 'm. n • rvfc t i Vancouver, December 25. _ Lie Foreign Office, London, states there is no possibility of a renlv to the bor man proposals, being.dispatched immediately, owing to' the difficulty o (Reutw™' 18 P° s3lble an 3nsw6r will not be forwarded for ten' days'. , NO PEACE EXCEPT ON 'ALLIES' TERMS. (Rec. December 24, 5.5 p.m.) ' ' Japan's Foreign Minister deolares that there will™'™ peacTesLpton the terms on which the Allies are unanimous.—Router. SWITZERLAND FOLLOWS AMERICA'S EXAMPLE (Rec. December 25, 5.5 p.m.) PresS^