PEACE OVERTURES.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1918, Page 3

PEACE OVERTURES.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CAULK ABBOK aTION]

BELGIAN FLAG FLYING

ROTTERDAM, Oct. 17

The report of the German surrender reached Brussels on Wodnesday. Germans did not interforo when Belgian flags were hoisted on private houses. Germans in Brussels are manifesting great anxiety. Civilians are already fleeing in such numbers that the Governor intervenel to prevent a possible panic and refused to grant facilities to remove furniture. He seized seventy van loads which are now under guard.

POLISH DEMAND. ' AMSTERDAM, Oct. 17

Poles, including those in Posen, West Prussia, have demanded complete independence. Prince Maximilian retains the Chancellorship. The Reichstag on Friday will consider a reply to Mr. W il--8011. •

POLISH INDEPENDENCE. BERNE, Uct. 17,

Following on a conference between deputies, of Austria and Prussia,, Poland’s independence was proclaimed at Warsaw on Monday. Work was suspended and flags displayed and a procession held.

LONDON EXCITEMENT

OVER FALSE REPORT.

| “reuter’s” telegram.]

LONDON, Oct. 17

The provailence of reports of capitulation and the Kaiser’s abdication, caused a sensation in London last evening. The papers sold like wildfire. There was no unusual demonstration, but groups assembled in' various centres in anticipation of a definite announcement. The fact that the meeting of the Reichstag was postponed, coupled with the menacing advanco of the Allies, created a general disposition to believe that Germany would accept Mr. Wilson’s terms. There was an air of great expectancy in Parliamentary lobbies where a report was current that Government had»alrendy received Germany’s reply to Mr. Wilson, and that a statement would bo made in the course of the evening.

The position really was that some current rumours had reached Government circles from other than newspapor sources, their place of origin entailing more than casual attention. An official denial was made late m the evening and allayed the* excitement. It is believed in reliable'quarters that while Germany’s reply will probably constitute a further climb down, it is improbable that the Central Powers, for the present, will fully capitulate without a further attempt to secure modifications.

CONFIDENCE IN WILSON. WASHINGTON, Oct. 17

Senator Lewis lias introduced in the TJ. S. Senate a revolution expressing confidence in President Wilson, whatever course the chooses to take in reference to Germans and Austrian .armistice questions. Senator Gore has introduced another resolution. “That the Senate inform tho President that the Senate is ready to ratify a pence treaty with Germany on the basis of the President’s last Note.

AMERIAN CONJECTURES WASHINGTON, Oct. 17

The greatest interest is being manifested in the State Department and in other official circles over the Press' dispatches saying that Germany has accepted President Wilson’s decision. The reports, however, are received with reserve.

It is pointed out ,in well-informed circles, that the rumour might be inspired by the German Government in order adversely to affect tlie Fourth Liberty Loan. <

Opinion is divided into two groups. One believes Germany will soon yield to the Allied terms; the other declares that tlio German militarists will continue the struggle for months longer.

BRITISH DIPLOMATIC VIEW.

fLONDON TIMES SERVICE —COPYRIC.Bt] LONDON, Oct. 17.

Diplomatic circles think that the Kaiser’s abdication proceed from Austrian sources, where the wish is father to the. thought. The latest diplomatic information con firms the statement that Von Hindenburg and the other German militate authirities inspired the armistice demand, hoping to save the army from destruction.

Should Germany accept Mr Wilson’s terms, it is regarded as certain that the conditions will be framed by Allied and American rfaval and military authorities. and will effectively preclude the resumption of hostilities by the German forces.

SUBMARINES RECAT,LED

DEVASTATION FORBIDDEN. , AMSTERDAM, Oct. 17. The “Handolsblnd”'learns that Germany has recalled all her submarines to Germany. LONDON, Oct. 17. The Kaiser in a decree of the 15th October, says: The commander-jin-Cbief must issue decisions in agreement with the Chancellor. Berlin newspapers have discontinued publication of Allied communiques. Reuter’s Nieuport correspondent states: “The Roterdam Seheournat” announces that the German Press tonight publishes a communique stating that the Army Command has brought its military measures, into accord,with the peace steps. The armies have been ordered to cease devastation, pnless absolutely compelled for defensive rea-, sons.

THE GERMAN ATTITUDE. LONDON, Oct. 17

Although the newspapers in Germany protest against the harshness of President Wilson’s terms, none dare advise the Government to reject them point blank. Crowds waited outside the Foreign Office ,though they listlessly received leaflets announcing that Mr. Wilson’s conditions had been accepted. Everywhere the people seemed indifferent. Some said that Mr. Wilson’s conditions were hard, "but what does it matter —wo must have peace, and must work doubly hard to make up for what we- have lost.”

GERMAN PRESS AGGRAVATED

LONDON, uct. 17. The leading German newspapers show a striking unanimity in criticising Mr Wilson’s terms. Even the “Tagcblatt,” "Vorwaerts,” and the Frankfurter Zeitung” declare them unreasonable, asserting that Mr. Wilson has dropped the role of mediator and has become dictatorial and ruthless. The pan-German organs violently demand a military dictatorship. The “Kreuz Zeitung” says: President Wilson wants to annihilate us. Lot us rally round the Kaiser and defend him against enemies at home and abroad,”

• “THE TIMES” VIEW. • I LONDON, -Oct. 17 • The “Times” in a leading artic , says: “Sooner or later, Germany v be forced to capitulate. It theref< behoves the Allied Governments to p pare immediately for the advent peace in the comparatively near 1 Lire.” PEACE NOT DISTANT. LONDON, Oct. 17. Renter’s Amsterdam corrcsponde says: Reports from Vienna state t-h Count Burian has declared that after careful examination of Mr Wilson’s r ply, he is convinced that a cessation < hostilities and the opening of peace n< gotiations nre near. Count Burian ii dicated that the German reply went fa to meet Mr Wilson’s points: ALLIES DISCUSS PEACE TERMS. LONDON, Oct 17. Lord Robert Cecil lias announce' that the Entente Governments are.dis cussing the question of reparation fo: wanton damage done in France am Belgium.

j ANOTHER VIEW. i ‘ - ARMISTICE A MILITARY NEED. b LONDON, October 17. Reuter’s correspondent with the French Army, writing on Wednesday says: "That the German appeal for an armistice is a necessity is proved "by captured documents, showing that the Germans, since July'"loth, lost a third of their guns on the West Front, and a- quarter of their entire artillery. They also are gravely short of horses. Moreover there is a difficulty of then strategic positian, duo to the break up of their vast railway system by the general advance of the Allies. Their lateral railways are cut by the gunners and when tho two main lines to Hirson and Mezicres come wiTfiin range the retreat of the German forces opposing the French between the Oiso and the Aisnc rivers will be cut off, that is, it any of them are left.” There are two Austrian divisions and .parts of four German divisions still operating in Siberia. There a,re twelve thousand Turns under General von Sanders, concentrated at Aleppo.

SITUATION DOUBTFUL

(United Service Telegrams). LONDON, October 17. The situation remains doubtful. The German balance may swing either way at any moment, as a severe crisis is being fought out in Germany’s innermost councils. British newspapers think tho Dutch reports are probably only slightly ahead of the facts. The “Manchester Guardian’’ says: The world is on tiptoe, awaiting Germany’s choice between pence and the Hohenzollerns. There is an astonish ing change in the German position. It can’t be duo to military defeats alone. Therefore cool students of the position expect an internal explosion at any moment

PEACE MINISTRY FORMED. ROME, October 17

A new Turkish Ministry, with Izzeu Pasha ns Grand Vizier ,and including Djavid Bey, lias been formed to bring peace. '