PEACE PROPOSALS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3198, 24 September 1917, Page 5

PEACE PROPOSALS

GERMANY'S REPLY TO THE POPE WILL NOT MAKE FORMAL ENGAGEMENTS Paris, September 21. Home advices stato that it is understood that Germany accepts the principle of the Pope's peace proposals, but will not make formal engagements regarding territorial questions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cabje Assn. INDEPENDENCE OF BELGIUM GERMANY WILLING TO RESTORE IT UNDER GUARANTEES. London, September 21. A notable article appears in the Munich "Neuesta Nachrichten." It states that Germany still holds Belgium firmly. ■ This fact must be the. starting point for negotiations; but the Belgian question cannot be considered separately. It must be settled with all the other problems of the war. Germany is ready to renounce her territorial and economic .conquests if her enemies are ready to do likewise. As Belgium specially interests Great Britain, Germany would be willing to restore her independence under guar, antees for her neutrality and the righft, of her various nationalities. The ar-' tide is attracting much attention, and is understood to represent: the official view.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn.

Amsterdam, September 21. The "Berliner Tageblatt" Zurich correspondent says that Germany's reply to the Pope does not contain formal renunciation of the annexation of Belgium, but it implicitly accepts the independence of •Belgium. The "Vossische states that Spain has expressed willingness to cooperate with the Vatican's peace movement.—Aus.rN.Z. Cable Assn. THE AUSTRIAN NOTE "ELIMINATION OP ARMED FORCE!", (Rec. September 23, 5.5 p.m.) New York, September 22. The Austrian and Gorman Notes express the hope that tho Pope's plea will lead to negotiations. Austria says:— "The future of the world must be based on the elimination of armed force and the introduction of a rule of international justice and legality.-' Austria is prepared to submit international disputes to compulsory' arbitration. Armaments on land, on the and in the air should be reduced simultaneously, reciprocally and gradually. The high seas should be opened equally for the use of all: We are prepared to enter into negotiations on this proposal. It should not then be difficult to settle other questions in 6pirit of justice." ■ The German Note cherishes a lively desire that the Pope's appeal should be successful—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn;