THE PEACE OFFER.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1918, Page 3

THE PEACE OFFER.

TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

j "NO GUARANTEES, i (Received this dav at 1.30 p.m.) j NEW IrORK,l r ORK, October 22. j The New York “Times’’ Washington ! correspondent- says it is pointed out. in ' well-informed quarters that there is nothing in the German Note that guarantees Germany's good faith in democratising her constitution. ■ Officials generally consider the Note docs not- afford a basis upon which the Allies can enter into peace negotiations. The Note is variously characterised as. cunningly dovised, shifty, equivocal and subtle. The press of New York and other cities generally consider that Germany knows she is beaten, but is unwilling i to surrender at the present stage. All the papers agree that the Note is unsatisfactory.

GIVEN PROMINENCE. (Received This Day at 10.35. a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 23. New York newspapers give prominence to King George’s speech to the Inter-Parliamentary delegates. They consider his words: “Victory is within our reach, and we are all agreed it must he 'a complete victory,’’ is the British opinion concerning the German Note.

THE GERMAN NOTE. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) NEW YORK, October 23. The “Times” Washington correspondent says Swiss officials havc flnnounced that the German Note will not bo delivered until Wednesday. The official text will clear up certain obscure passages in the wireless version. It was pointed out that as there were only troopships and transports on the high seas, the German orders to stop sinking passenger ships were of little consequence.

President Wilson is in conference with Cabinet to-day. Generally speaking, the German Not e puzzles Washington. Some think it is a clumsy effort to tell the world thru Germans reply is that they arc reforming the Government, without admitting it in so many words. Others think i is an attempt to continue negotiations in. the hope that Air Wilson will be induced to be more merciful in imposing terms. NORTHCLIFFE’S VIEWS. (Received This Dav at 10.35. a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 23. Lord Northcliffc. in a speech at the American Officers’ Club, said the first German peace offensive bad yielded an inestimable* boon, by unifying the Entente’s military command. The present peace offensive would prove a blessing if it resulted in the Entente’s United peace programme being carefully codinated between the Governments of the Associated Powers.