PEACE OVERUSES.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 October 1918, Page 2

PEACE OVERUSES.

GERMANY’S OFFER

SPEECH BY PRINCE MAX

TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION] AMSTERDAM, Oct. 0.

Prince Max on Saturday created a sensation in the Reichstag by announcing be had sent a Note to President Wilson. lie went on—“I do not speak in my own name, but. in that oi the whole German people. T join my support to the-programme of the Majority parties; also to the earlier. German Government’s Note to the Pope, and the Reichstag’s resolution of July 19th. 1917. That programme demanded -the complete restoration of independence of Belgium. He said peace treaties must not lie a hindrance to the general peace proposals.. In adition to constitutional reforms in Prussia, the programme .demanded the abolition of the military institution. which exercise political influence. The programme particularly desired that legislation should be introduced as soon as possible in the Baltic countries of Lithuania and Poland by the countries themselves. lam convinced it will he impossible after the war, to form a Government which the Reichstag does not support. If this commences it can never lie stopped. There is no doubt the Federal States which are not yet democratised will follow Prussia’s example. The Kaiser’s letter of 30th September, opened a new epoch in the internal history of Germany. Four years of suffering and lighting have passed, and we are ready for still greater sacrifices, should it become necessary, but it is our duty to get certain intelligence and see whether an honourable completion of the war is possible, in order that the bloody fight niay not be continued a day longer than is necessary. Supported by all the chosen authorities in this country, and by our AL lies, I have this night (otli October), through Switzerland, directed a Note to the President of the United States, asking him to take steps towards procuring peace, and to get into communication with all belligerents. The Note will arrive at Washington to-day oi' to-morrow. The Note is'directed to the President, because in a message to Congress on Stb January and his speech of 27tli September, he set forth a programme of general peace, which we can accept as the basis for negotiations. 1 have taken this step, not only to release Germany and her Allies, lint for the sake of humanity which for four years has been suffering under the war, and because I think the ideas for the future happiness of the people, as set forth by Mr Wilson, are in accordance with the views of a vast majority of the German people. My earlier speeches prove I have not changed my mind since I accepted the Chancellorship. I still wish for an honourable, lasting peace to the whole of humanity. For humanity’s sake, I hope Mr Wilson will receive our offer and then the door will soon he open to an honourable peace by right and reconciliation for us, as well as for our antagonists.

KAISER’S PROCLAMATION. [“peuter’k” telegram.] LONDON, Oct. fitli

The Kaiser’s proclamation to the Army and Navy affirms that the Western Front will not he broken, but it points out that the collnpseof the Maceon ian front has occurred at a moment when the struggle is hardest. It then states that lie in accord with his allies, has resolved once more to offer an honourable peace. AVhother arms will be lowered is still a question, but till then their efforts must, not slacken .

GERMANY’S ALTERNATIVES.

LONDON, Oct. 6

fii the coures of his Reichstag speech, Prince Max declared. “Whatever may ho the result of the step which the Government are now taking, Germany will be found firmly resolved and unanimous either for the conclusion of a reason a hie or for a final life* and death struggle, wherein the people will participate through no fault of their own.” * . .. The Reichstag has adjourned until the middle of the week.

LON DON T NTE R E«TED. LONDON, Oct. 6

Intense, interest has been shown in Prince A!ax’s speech in London. The text arrived too late for newspaper comment. The first impression of the speech is that the proposals fall far short of the necessities of the case, though the tone is vastly more subdued than the early Chancellors’ speeches. It is evident that the real aims of proposals are the preservation of the Holienzollerns and the division of the Allies by appearing to accept President- Milson’s programme.

FRENCH VIEWS. PARIS, October 6. The peace move is not accepted here seriously, save as a sign to discuss peace seini-offiiealv. It is stated that Germany is endeavouring to prevent the defection of Turkey, to placate AustroHungarv; and to avoid at any cost an invasion of Germany, fearing reprisals for Franco-Belgian outrages.^

AUSTRIA’S NOTE. BERNE, Oct. 6. The Autrian Note to President Wilson says : Austria-Hungary has never waged anything hub a defensive war, and has on many occasions shown a desire to end the shedding of blood and conclude an honourable peace. “Austria hereby proposes to conclude with America and her Allies a general armistice, and to engage in peace negotiations, based on President Wilsons fourteen points of the speech of Bth of January, and the four points of Ins speech of the 12th of February- , The Note also takes m Mr. Milson s declaration of the 27th November.

HOLLAND NOT MEDIATING. THE HAGUE. Oct. 6. The Dutch Foreign Office denies that it- has taken steps towards mediation and peace. -

REPLY TO GERMANY.

(Received This Day at 9.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 7. The Swedish Minister has delivered the Austrian Noto ; on similar terms to Germany, .to Mr Lansing at 11 a.m. Mr Wilson i s preparing a prompt reply to Germany. It is understood .Mr Wilson will refuse to consider negotiations on the basis of a round-table conference, but if Germany sincerely accepts Mr Wilson’s terms and agrees to evacuation immediately of the invaded territory Mr Wilson will likely consider the dooi open to the consideration 0 f peace.

AMERICAN PRESS OPINION

ONLY PEACE AFTER VICTORY.

'Received This Dav a t 9.39. a m \ r NEW YORK, Aug. 7. Hie ‘Times” says the Central p G wcis must evacuate the occupied territones ; restore France and Italian pro- ' luces taken from them; and tear up the Brest Litovsk and Bucharest treaties betore negotiations can be started. Ihe “Herald” says there will be no armistice and no negotiations until Gerniany prefaces her plea with an uncon.(litional surrender. The Chicago “Tribune.” says the Allies will fight till they get the peace they want. The Cineinatti “Enquirer” says the only acceptable peace will bo dictated uitli the flags of the Allies floating over Berlin.

“ CARRY ON.”

NO PEACE TILL AFTER

(Received This Day at 8.30.a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 7. The “World’s” Washington corre- ' spondent states Washington awaits the full facts before offering a definite opinion on. the Austro-German peace move. The correspondent points out that nothing but a complete surrender by the Central Powers will be considered by the Allies. When Bulgaria wanted an armistice the Allies accepted the proposal on terms which amounted to Buigaria’s unconditional surrender. This established a precedent for tile met-lfjcl of dealing with other peace moves. Germany and Austria are willing to surrender on the Allies’ terms, it is possible the war may be brought to an earlv close.

While high officials would not venture an opinion in the absence of the text of Prince Maximalian’s speech, it was made clear that if the Central Powers want peace before their territory is invaded and laid waste, they must unconditionally surrender. Many strong men in the Allies’ capitals, are opposed to suspending hostilities on any terms, even if named by the Allies. We want to push the war across the enemy frontiers and administer a punishment for the crimes committed by the Germans and their associates in the war. If Germany, Austria and Turkey are ready to surrender their arms and withdraw from the occupied territory, Mr Wilson may consent to arrange an armistice and the discussion of a general peace.

PEACE OFFER TO BE REFUSED. (Received This D uv at 9:50. a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct, 7. The United Press Washington correspondent reports Mr McAdoo stated the United States will refuse the Central Powers’ peace offer.

AMERICAN PRESS TERMS

MUST WHIP GERMANY.

(Received This L'av at. 10.15. s tn.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 7.

Mr McCumber, in the Senate, introduced a resolution providing that before United States will agree to an armistice, Germany must disarm her armies, restore Alsace-Lorraine, re-pay the Franco-German 1870 indemnity and indemnify the ravaged countries throughout Europe. The New r York “ World ” comments that autocracy is whipped, and knows it is Whipped, and soon will he compelled to acknowledge the fact. Therefore, autocracy will be heard from again and again with increasing humility, until finally it sues, for terms. 'The “Tribune” says the Kaiser has but one peace to make, and tliat- is with God. We shall continue to use force and more force, against Germany until we shall have destroyed forever the intolerable criminal thing now holding out its dripping hands.

CONGRESS ON PEACE. Washington, oct. 7. In the Senate, in a debate on peace, Air Poindexter said an armistice, accompanied by the enemy evacuation of Belgium and France, would bo merely a German victory. Air Hitchcock, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, pointed out that Germany was willing to accept Mr Wilson’s fourteen points. If Germany agreed to restore Alsace-Lorraine to France, and pay an indemnity to Belgium, the matter might he worth considering. Mr McCumber. pointed out it was necessary to safeguard the Senate’s I rights in a peace and war discussion. Mr Hitchcok declared \he idea of an armistice was absolutely abhorrent. He suggested that the Allies agree to deal only with the rea] representatives of the German people. Mr Lodge said the only future possible for Germany was that based on her suing for peace from the Allies. An Allied military victory w-as essential. The tone debate indicates the rejection of the peace offer.