EMPEROR KARL'S LETTERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 198, 10 May 1918, Page 5

EMPEROR KARL'S LETTERS

ANOTHER REVELATION

NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE

ENTENTE POWERS

PROPOSALS REJECTED

(Roc. May 9, 7.30 p.m.;

London, May S. Tho "Manchester Guardian's'' X'aris correspondent reveals the purport of a second letter from tho Emperor Karl, which is more important than tho first, in which the Emperor declares that he was convinced that ho could induco Germany to niako peace, provided that the Entente Powers' demands wcro restricted to Alsace-Lorraine. Tho Emperor assumed that all occupied territories wouid bo evacuated and Belgian sovereignty restored unconditionally, but hinted that Germany demanded certain compensations at Russia's expense. Ho also staled that ho had already been assured of Bulgaria's acceptance, „nd asked that tlio letter bo confidentially and loyally respected. jMi Poinwirc suggested that Austria should cede Trieste and the Trentino in exchange for Silesia. Tho Emperor pointed out that Franco did not occupy Silesia, and therefore an initial obstacle occurred in tho nesutiationn.

The dossier includes an important Austrian statement, that if Germany wcro intractable and an armistice were arranged between Austria and thn Entente Powers, there would bo a revolution in Germany.

51. Ribot rejested tho proposals because acceptance would mean a rupture with Italy.

' Mr. Lloyd George hesitatingly agreed to negative repjy, on which Baron insisted. The former emphasised the importance of tho proposals and urged tho desirability of not losing sucn a favourable opportunity for peace. M. Poincare objected to'all the negotiations, declaring that a complete military victory nlono would end tlio war.

Some members of tlio Foreign Affairs Committee, which lias been investigating the dossier, declare that the Emperor Karl's proposals would have been turned down without discussion but for Mr. Lloyd George It is significant that Count Czernin's peace offer of April 3, 1917, was rnado four days after tlio Emperor's letters wore sent. Both Russia and President Wilson were informed after the proposals had been rejected, too lato for President Wilson's opinion to have any effect. It is also considered possible that the rejection of tho proposals rande Rerensky's position impossible. Both Belgium and Rumania favoured a meeting with Von Lanckner, Germany's ernissajr .in Switzerland.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.