THE PEACE "DRIVE"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 196, 8 May 1918, Page 5

THE PEACE "DRIVE"

MORE ABOUT THE GERMAN

PROPOSALS

VON KUHLMANN'S OFFER

London, May G. Tho references to a German peace offensive are evidently based on the receipt of certain proposals through a neutral 6ourcc.

•The- Central News correspondent at Tho Hague reports that M'. Colyn, a former Dutch Minister of War, carried IJr. Kuhlmann's proposals to London. German circles in Holland declare that Germany's terms are already known in Downing Street. They are said to include a provision (hat the status in the East shall remain as at present, and tho renunciation of German claims in tho West. Austria will make concessions in the Trentino bo Italy, and an international conference will settlo Balkan questions. All the belligerents avo to decide uDon colonial questions, Africa, and.Asiiv Minor. Germany will abandon Kiaochau. but demands economic concessions in China. The proposals irill include the restoration of Belgium and autonomy for Alsaco and Lorraine within tho German federation.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. •

THE PEACE MEDIUM (Bee. May 7, 8.30 p.m.) Now York, May 6. The Slato Department has received advices from London saying that Col.yn, h former member of the Dutch Cabinet, is in Txmdon giving Germany's peace terms. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. "WHOLE THING IS A MARE'S NEST" MR. BALKOUR DENIES THE BUMOUBS. (Rcc. May 8, 0.45 a.m.) London, May G. Mr. A. .1. Riilfour, speaking In the House of Commons, denied - that tho enemy recently had made peace offers. Ho added: "No neutnil representative in Britain lms inndo nny tentative or informal peaeo suggestion. The whole thing is a mare's nest!"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable "Assn. PEACE MOVE DENIEDJY THE VATICAN (Ron. May 7, 7.10 p.m.) Rome, May 6. The Vatican denies Iho rumour of a, I'apal Wlutsunlido peace move, adding: "A. favourable opportunity does not seem near."—"The Times." PACIFISTS BUSY IN ENGLAND KAIISAT MACDONALD AGAIN. London, Jfay 6. ■Several efforts lo inaugurate peace meetings in England yesterday failed. One attempt was made at Finsbury I'arlc, where disorderly scenes occurred owing to groups of men parading, carrying lings, and singing "The .Hod i'las." Thuy had • a warm reception when they loft tho park. Their flags were snatched away, their clothes wero torn, and several were rolled in tho mud. Fifteen thousand people assembled hi tho Market Square in Leicester, whoro j Mr. ltamsay Mncdouald was announced to spunk. Counter-demonstrators rushed tho platform, and tho police rescued Mr. Maedonald and saved him in. a taxi-cab.—Aus.-N.Z, Cnblo Assn.

A " DRIVE " AT THE AUSTRALIAN SECTOR PROPAGANDA SCORNED. Amsterdam, May 6. The "Berlin Tageblatt," having failed to set the British against tho French, has commeuced a , campaign to set tho |ovcrseas troops against tho British. It says the Australians aro disheartened and sick of the wholo war, because what they gained in months tho British lose in a tew hours. Tlie Australians now admit that an .English victory is impossible, and that the boasted British invincibility is a thing of the past. French regiments had to stiffen the British front, like the bones of a corset. As the English eaorificed the colonial troops, so they aiicrificed the Portuguese. Otfior papers, discussing tho coining in of America, admit that more troops are being movod than was expected. America is a tougli enemy, but will bo too late,

A loading Australian authority points out tho significance of the Gorman propaganda as nn effort to take the sting out of the Australian and other Dominion I Forces. It only shows the enemy's strong ! dislike to these fiery fighters. It is noteworthy that they avoided the Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian fiec- ! tore for their great offensive. Tho Ans-' tralians entirely disregarded the propagandist nowspapro esnt over by small : balloons, and will likewise disregard tlia latest malignant newspaper campaign. Tho Australians had un inspiring part in tho recent defensive operations. They never had sucli an opportunity for killing Germans. Tno whole force liad bran trained to welcome such massed attacks, in which the enemy's losses wore stupendous; and, so far from admitting victory to bo impossible, tho Australians realise that the futile Gorman thrusts have already brought tko end nearer, and herald tho complete overthrow of tho Gorman armies. Althoagh a certain sentiment attached to tlio lost ground, the Australians have no repots, knowing that it does not matter where the final battle is fought, provided the opponents of democratic liberty are robbed of their greedy powers for all time. This being tho Australians' first hope, they are determined unswervingly to meot every successive attack until the Germans admit they aro defeated.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Jssn.