PEACE OVERIURES.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1918, Page 3

PEACE OVERIURES.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

I .MR WILSON EXPLAINS. ; i WASHINGTON, Oct. 28. President Wilson in answering the Republican critcism regarding the ' third of his fourteen points in his peace platform, (the removal of economic bari iors and the establishments of equality of trade conditions), free trade, but only that whatever tariff, high or low, and ; any Nation might deem necessary it should apply equally to all foreign nations. CARL’S ORDER TO FORCES. AMSTERDAM, Oct. 29. Emperor Karl, in an order to the Austrian Army and Navy makes an. appeal for their loyalty during the present • grave confusion. ! i A CAPITULATION. ; ! ■ PARIS, Oct. 28. ■ Austria’s Note is tantamount to an actual capitulation. Tims, it is pointed out. the Central Alliance and the Mittel Europa movement have together disappeared. . PEACE BROUGHT NEAR. | LONDON, Oct. 28. j The Franco-Italian press regard the J latest Austrian armistice Note as dra T maticnlly changing the whole situation, ancl as bringing peace appreciably nearer. : Commentators imply that few expect- ; ed the Dual Monarchy to break up so ■ quickly. j The prevailing impression is that it 1 is now merely a question of time ns to how quickly Germany will he compelled to follow Austria’s lead. Intransigent Germany is now considered to have nothing left, except its own rapidly waning strength. j

ITALIAN COMMENT. ROME, Oct. 28th. ■ “La Tribuna” states: Austrin-Hun garv was never a nation, but merely ai army upholding a Dynasty. 1 BRITISH PRESS VIEW. LONDON, October 29. Regarding Austria’s and Germany’s latest overtures, the British press is more restrained than the Franco-Ital-jjan papers in its comment. While gratified at the startling week-end turn ; of events, the majority of the papers j point out that there is yet no sign of ! a changed heart of even a pretence of repentance as far as Germany is concerned. There is a growing insistence that no safe peace is possible while the . Kaiser remains. i The “Standard” says that the Kaiser by a scratch of the pen can destroy the new constitution and restore Ludendorff and the U-Boats’ ruthless submarining. ‘Recalling that the Kaiser is *a notorious coward, the “Standard'' •thinks that this may prove a vital factor during the next few days. The “Star” states that the peace negotiations have reached a point of intense delicacy. The press must, not embarrass the Allied Council, that is now holding a momentous sitting. BERNE, October 28. All Hungarian officers living in Vienna have been recalled to defend the Hungarian frontier . Students in Budapest demonstrated in the Parliament calling for the expulsion of all Germans. Reliable information states that all the Austrian Grand Dukes arc taking refuge in the Gondollo Castle, near Budapest.

WHAT GERMANS WILL DO LONDON. October 28. Germany’s attitude in the immediate future is likely to be the outcome of internal economic and political developments, rather than miltary ones. The latest indication is that of flaming speeches marking a red letter Reichstag sitting, wherein other independents besides Ledebour and Cohen, boldly hurled insults at the Kaiser, Lude dork and Hi: ttnburg which if utf .red in 1917, won: .1 have been followed by immediate imprisonment . The Rhineland Social Bern :o ’i ts issued a manifesto stating that ii tin* Kaiser does not abdicate he will bo removed. On the other hand the junker press continues vigorously to oppose abdication, even hinting a preference for civil war than, to see an elected President of a German Republic.

AMERICAN COMMENT

ON PEACE DISCUSSION

(Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct, 29 Much interest is being manifested in the German and Austrian Notes sent to President Wilson. . The official text of the Austrian Note has not yet been received. It is felt in official circles that if the Austrian Note ' means a complete capitulation, Germany will be forced to recognise the hoplessness of her situation, and will be compelled -to surrender unconditionally, or continue the war under a tremendously increased handicap. According to well informed circles, if Austria surrenders it will mean that the Allies will be able to enter the Dual Monarchy’s territory and use the railways there, thus attacking Gerfany in a vulnerable point It is believed the Czeeho-Slovaks will he ready to assist the Allies against Germany, who would be forced to withdraw her troops from | the West Front, in order to protect j the. southern frontier. It is not expected that President ; Wilson will reply to the latest German 1 Note, the official text of which does not differ from the wireless text. j PEACE BEFORE, CHRISTMAS, | LONDON, October 29. j There is an impression in Parliamentary circles that peace before Christmas ,is highly probable. It is inevitable that Parliament will be dissolved in a few | weeks. . The dissolution may be expect- , ed to follow swiftly upon an armistice. i IMPORTANCE OF AUSTRIAN MOVE. M> '''l.:,-. !',v ;.t noon I LONDON, October 29. The newspapers point out the importance of Austria pleading for a separate peace and further isolation of Germany and insist that- Germany must herself seek the terms of an armistice, since the Allies are not proposing it ns Dr Solf’s Note to Mr Wilson Impudently suggests.

ONE OF THE TERMS. [ (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) ■j | LONDON, October 29. i The “Evening News” states that the ' surrender of the German Fleet is an i essential part of the Allies armistice j terms.