PEACE PROBLEM

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9795, 19 October 1917, Page 6

PEACE PROBLEM

A GERDAU HINT TO BE SECRETLY DISCUSSED BY FRENCH DEPUTIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PAULS, October 1 7. Tho Chamber of Deputies has decided to hold a secret session to discuss a recent statement by M. il-ibot (Premier) that Germany has hinted that siio xs prepared to . restore AlsaceLorraine if Franco consents to discuss peaco. GERMANY DENIES PROMISE On KrioiXlullON. (Received October 18, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, October L‘Replying to Germany's denial mat she gave France to understand Eiat negotiations might bo opened tor me restitution of Alsace-Lorraine, » “Hatin'’ states that a diplomatist benr,ng tho authority of the Kaiser s and Chancellor's signatures, asked Franco to begin negotiations in fcjiwtzorland. Germany also approached England through a neutral Power with the object of securing a separate peace. She offered an entirely satisfactory settlement of tho Belgian question. Germany also had asked Russia to stipulate her demands, indicating tnau Franco and England might negotiate a separate peace. A OATHOL!B MOVEMENT FAILS TOO MANY PRO-GERMAN DELEGATES. Australian and N.Z Cable Association LONDON, October 17* A wireless message from Borne states that Swiss Catholics, with proGerman sympathies, had convened an International Congress at Berno for October lotfh, to promote a durable peace. Sixty-five Austrians and Germans, including Herr Erzbergor (leader of the German Catholic Party), three Italians, one Russian, and one named British delegate, had arrived to take part in tho congress._ The failure of the movement from an international standpoint led to the postponement of tho gathering till November 12th. ITALIAN POLITICS A NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION NEGATIVED. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ROME, October 17. In the Chamber of Deputies the Socialist motion of no-confidence in the Government was negatived by 228 votes to 51. FRENCH GOVERNMENT UNANIMOUS VOTE OF CON. FIDENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. , PARIS, October IV. Tho Chamber of Deputies, after a secret sitting, unanimously adopted a vote of confidence in the Government. WAR EXPENDITURE ASTOUNDING FIGURES IN UNITED STATES. Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z Cable Association. WASHINGTON, October itSince July 10th the United States has spent 2,021,000,000 dollars (about £585,000,000), of which amount hall has been advanced to the Allies. The expenditure amounts to 800,000,(100 dollars more than the receipts, including the Liberty Loan.