THE PIRATES "OLIVE BRANCH"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 17, 15 October 1918, Page 5

THE PIRATES "OLIVE BRANCH"

HOW CAN WE TALK PEACE WITH OCEAN ASSASSINS? PUBLIC OPINION ON THE PEACE INTRIGUE MR. BALFOUR'S COMMENT London, October 13. Frequent comment in London on the sinking of the Lehjstor Jβ that if Germany lias really coded militarism, as Herr Eraberger claims, then the new civil power in Germany must hear the blame for the atrocities, which; means that either Germany's new constitutionalism is a sham or is equally as odious as militarism as far ns submarining is concerned.

Mr. A. J. Balfour, at a luncheon to American Press delegates, referred to the Leinster case. The Germans, he said, professed a changed Constitution, but apparently have not changed their hearts'; They were brutes when thej commenced the war, and still remained brutes. The Leinster carried no military stores, and served no military purpose, so the torpedoing was pure barbarism, pure frightfuliiess, deliberately enacted in broad daylight. One would have thought that the' Germans would shrink from repeating the crime which brought America into the war, particularly at the moment when America, perhaps more than any other belligerent, was deciding. Germany's fate. It was incredible to think that this and other even more destructive and cowardly crimes against helpless civilians and prisoners did not commend themselves to the German people. Sir Auckland Geddes says that Germany is trying: to find a way for avoiding defeat: His great fear is that we wiU be bluffed into a wrong peace. The request for an armistice is part of that scheme. There is no evidence that Germany is tottering. She is preparing her greatest submarine campaign. Germany's aim is to keep what she can in order to reprepare for world domination. Sir Edward Carson, writing in the "Morning Post," says the Government should, before further German Notes are accepted, insist that the perpetrators of tile crime shall be delivered and brought to justice. This will be the. best test of Germany's bona fides m seeking an armistice. Mr. Arthur Pollen, the naval writer, points out that while President Wilson requires the evacuation of territory as a preliminary to the discussion of an armistice, there is no stipulation as regards the very weapon which brought America into the war. President Wilson should demand the surrender of the submarines as a. further preliminary. . ■ Lord Denbigh, Jn a speech in London, said that the Crown Prince's army bsin" in difficulties in Laon, the Germans ha'd asked for an armistice, to enable them to get beyond the frontier , nnd bring up arms and reorganise. 'They would then say they had misunderstood the fourteen points, and when they had rested wo would have the whole job to do over again. Sir John Simon (the Secretary of State for Homo Affairs), in a speech at Walthamstow in the afternoon, said lie saw no clinnge in the heart of Germany. He added: "If the controllers of her destinies are sincerely desirous of a real peace, let them forthwith abandon the submarino warfare. _ An inter-Allied conference of _ scientific academies announces that it will rot renew wersonal relations with tlie enemy until they renounce the atrocious" policy of murders and outrages with which thev hove stained their his-tory.-Aus.-N.Z. Caote Assn. PREPARE FOIUTO MORE YEARS OF WAR SIR BRIO GMDES'S CAUTION. (Rec. October 14, 7.20 p.m.) ■ Washington, October 13. Sir Eric Geddos, interviewed, said: "I lay great stress on Germany s inv. pending renewed U-boat effort. lam of opinion that we should not be deluded by hopes of an early peace, but prepare for two more years of war. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OCCUPATION OF BERLIN DEMANDED. (Rec. Octoher 14, 7.20 p.m.) London, October 13. Mr. Frederic Harrison demands the occupation of Berlin, and half a dozeu other cities, and the bringing of the German leaders, to justice.—Aus.-N. L. Cable Assn. , . Lord Charles Beresford, interviewed, said that peace, should be made at the point of the bayonet and the machinegun. An armietice was absolutely impossible.—United Service. WHAT IS GERMANY'S CAME?' COMMENT IN FRANCE. (Rec. October 14, 9.45 p.m.) Paris,, October 13. The "Figaro" asks: "What is Germany's game? Presumably it is to regain by diplomatic means part of what she lost militarily. The Allies must approach the conference dominant and all-powerful." M. Marcel Hutin says: "Marshal Foch must have tho last word the military conditions."—United Service.

BEWARE OF CRAFT ITALIAN PREMIER'S WARNING. (Reel' October 14, 7.20 p.m.) Rome, October 13. Signor Orlando (tho Italian Premier), in an interview said: "The enemy must not be allowed to snatch viotory by craft: He must evacuate our territory, and give definite guarantees."— Reuter. PUSH THEM ACROSS,THE RHINE Melbourne, October 14. Commenting on Germany's acceptance of President Wilson's terms, General Pan said that the feeling that peace was imminent was not justified. "We must not fall into German traps. The only real solution is to got tho Germans' on the oilier s'uh of the Rhine."—Press Assn. PRESS OPINIONS (Rec. October 14, 9.45 p.m.) London, October 13. The "Standard" declares that if an armistice is granted the terms must satisfy Marshal Fooli. Tho soldiers alone are capable of assuring against trickery. Tho "Sunday Pictorial says: "It would be madness to allow von Ludondorff to regroup and remuuition Ills legions behind the Rhino. Tho Entente dare not accept such an appalling risk. Any nrmistieo must be dictated by Marsb.il Focb, nncl must involvo the surromlor of tlio' Gorman artillery and munitions in Frsirccp." • Mr. .1. L. Garv ; -i (editor of the "Observer") says: "Concrete guarantees must accompany a naval armistice. Tlio Gorman Fleet .'iio.ild bo dismantled concurrently with tlio disbandment of the Army."—United Service. "Reynolds's Newspaper" declares itself uncompromisingly averse, to any peace with the Hohenzollerns. The terms of the armistice must be tantamount to an unconditional surrender. The "News of tlio World" describes the German reply as a plan to escape from tho Allied pursuit. The "Weekly, Dispatch" says that

the Germans did not need a mixed commission to invade the occupied territories, and should not need one to get out. '. , ..' .-■' Other organs declare that Marshal Foch's commission, unci not a mixed commission, .'should dictate all the necessary arrangements.—Aus.-N.Z. Citble Assn. 'Die "Daily Mail" demands the delivery of the German submarines as a condition of peace. The "Daily News" calls for the pun"'slimenfc of the German criminals. "Their talk of peace at present in view of the Leinster outrage is a- nauseating mockery." The paper adds: '"Die abdication of the Kaiser will not satisfy the Allies, because the criminals' responsibility cannot be cast off like a worn-out coat."—Renter. ■ : opinion¥america (Rec. October 14, 11.45 p.m.) Now York, October 13. Mr. Roosetelt, commenting on the German Note, eayc: "Germany ought to be made to realise, that the United States is in the war to a finish, and will accept nothing except a peace of overwhelming victory. Let us beat the foe to his knees and then dictate our peace terms." Senator Hitchcock, Chairman of the Foreign Eolations Committee, interviewed, said that the German reply was encouraging: "I believe that this is a. step, towards peace, but the offer cannot be accepted- without important modifications. We must have military guarantees before agreeing; to an armistice,, and the Kaiser must nlace full snd permanent power, for making peaco or war in tha hands of the people. The power of the Reichstag must also be unfettered." ■ Senator Thomas said: "I believe that the Note is .sufficiently definite to require the President to consult the Al-. lies regarding the next step. Germany must pay indemnities for all the damage done on land and the murder-ousTJ-boat warfare."—Aus.-N.iZ. Cable Asen. i PRESS. COMMENT. (Eec. October 14, 11.30 p.m.) . New York, October 13. The newspapers issued special early' editions. _ Washington correspondents siso the fact that America will insiisfc on the withdrawal of German forces from Allied territory before opening any negotiations whatever. After canvass of official circles, it can be ••.sse.'fred that the reply is not regarded as a frank, straightforward Note, but cleverly. worded in order to indicate apparent agreement with- President Wilson's general principles. The Note leaves the details open in a manner which might render futile the American and Allied nims. The official text hae not yet been received, but the text was picked up by wire-less. Some Washington authorities say that exception v;ill be taken to the proposal for a mix 3d commission. They also consider ttat i the statement that the Chancellor is speaking for the German people is. lacking in deniteness and sincerity. The newspapers point out that it ia difficult to determine whether the Note emanates from the people or from the criminal Government. One newspaper asks: "What are the credentials of tte voice that is speaking?", and adds: "A satisfactory credential would "be the announcement of the abdication of the Kaiser and the renunciation. of the succession by his discredited dynasty. At present one can see a peace of justice by victory nearer than human presoience could have foreseen it a few weeks ago." The New York "Times" Washington correspondent statee that the German proposal for an armistice will not be accepted. ,

OPINION IN AUSTRALIA Melbourne,. October 14. Senator Pearce, Commonwealth Min» isfcer of Defence, described the German offer as the acceptance by the enemy of the inevitable, and that could be regarded only with caution and as an indication of the trend of events. WHAT THE GERMAnTrBSS IS SAYING Amsterdam, October 13. The "Fremdenblatt" says the Government and the Reichstag have ; unrestrictedly accepted President Wilson's entire programme as a basis of peace, and their aim in further deliberations is to reach a compromise upon practical details. The paper declares that the evacuation demand-is not impossible if it is guaranteed that Belgium shall not again become a theatre of war,., Germany believes that peace, is damming, but 'declares that Germany's 1 " possessions mu3t he guaranteed. The "Vorwaerts" regards the prospects of peace us favourable, but gives a warning against impatient expectations. The ''Frankfurter Zeitung" inquires if the demanded evacuations include the Eastern occuQied territories, and alleges that Poland has requested a continuance of German occupation, and that doubtless the Baltio provinces will do the same.—Reuter. RAISER'S ABDICATION DEMANDED. (R.ec. October 14, 7.20 p.m.) Berne, October 19. The* "Frankieche Tagespost," a Socialist paper, demands the abdication of the Kaiser. "Tho nation is convinced that the responsibility for the present position rests on him. Hβ does not appear to new Germany to be a fitting representative of national unity. He hae always demanded the greatest •sacrifices from his subjeots,' and sWald now sacrifice himself if by his-abdica-tion we could obtain better terms."— Reuter. \ , THE DEVASTATED CITIES (Rμ.' October 14. 7.20 p.m.) Amsterdam, October 18. Dr. Solf justifies the devastation cf France during the German retreat as a military necessity as long as the struggle continues. "Much as we regret the loss of irreparable art treasures, even consideration of the most venerable shrines of civilisation must give place to the consideration of the lives of the defenders of,the Fatherland: , —Router, GERMAN WORHEBS INTENSELY INTERESTED (R«e. October 14, 11.10 p.m.) Copenhagen, October 13. When the great factories in thd Berlin suburbs finished work en Saturday thousands of men and women ■ workers proceeded to the centre of the city, and waited for hours for the reply to "President Wilson, which was published in special editions of the newspapers, and issued, at ten o'clock. ,The roply was enthusiastically welcomed,, women bursting into tears. It is re- . ported that the pan-Germans are preparing a counter-move. A great num.ber of officers are arriving in Berlin. Tho "Vonvaerts" warns the pan-Ger-mans not to do anything to cause the nnoplc to lose patience with them. Every conspiracy will be crushed with .a firm hand. The Independent Socialist newspapers have been confiscated for demanding a republic. — Aus.-N.U. Cablo Assn. . ' CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION. (Rec. October W, 11.10 p.m.) , Amsterdam,. 00t0Fe? , . 14.,. The "Lokal Ar.zeiger" states that the Reichstag Conservatives have communioated to the Chancellor their serious objections to the acceptance of President Wilson's terms.—Keutor.