Peace Proposals

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 19, 16 December 1916, Page 2

Peace Proposals

THE MIGHTMARS C'F WAR.

FRENZIED SCENES IN BERLIN.

Press Association —Copyright, Ausvra lian and N.Z. Cable Association. Berne, December 15.

German, telegrams ,shpAV „, v ihat) ■ tile masses firmly believe the Government's offer brings peace within ,measurable distance. There "ere frenzied scenes in /Berlin when the purport of Herr Betli-imum-Hollweg’s speech became (known. Men rushed wildly from .cafes, and women crowded the churches, ivlieie Protestant pastors and Catholic priests offered extempore prayers for pence. The scenes showed how heavily the nightmare of war weighs on the Goman people. The excitement was reflected on the Berlin Bourse. Shares rose with astonishing rapidity, but collapsed with equal suddenness upon receipt of unfavourable forecasts of ‘the Allies’ ans Aver. Popular excitement continues ai fever pitch, crowds standing all night in a snowstorm outside the newspaper offices hoping for 4 news from the Entente capitals. The Ehenische Westphalien Garettc states;—We believe the enemy will certainly refuse the peace offer, and even attribute it to weakness. We are confident that an answer will echo from Germany such as the enemy never dreamed. The Lnjail Ansseiger says;—ln ease the enemy rejects tho hand hold out. we and our allies avjll unanimously ap prove of the merciless prosecution of the war with every weapon at 1 our dis posal. The responsibility rests with the Governments and Parliaments which refuse to end the war till they are annihilated. • The Tageblatt urges the public to disregard the disappointing Entente Press comments regarding peace, aim adds that not until the New Year shall we know how thrilling the appeal has struck into the hearts of the Entente’s j peoples. Th e Frankfurter Zcituug humbly states that Germany does not claim peace as a victor, but makes the. proposals expecting counter-proposals, leading to a compromise. It pleads for a conference, whereat the actual discussion would remove misunderstand iugs. King Ferdinand has sent a mossag t„ the Bulgarian army as follows: All our enemies are conquered. We ana the Central Sovereigns, inspired hy victories, have made a proposal loi peace, and will soon see if the high y humanitarian acticfci is justly appreciated by our eiiemes. Meanwhile aac will win new victories, with the help of God. . Press Association —Copyright. Renter's Telegrams German newspapers are surprised al the Allies’ coolness towards pea»<> and blame England, towards venom they are adopting a menacing tone flu-odor Woolff protests against the publication by the leading Industrie, associations of the peace programme which demands the annexation Poland, Lithuania, the Baltic’ provin CCS. Belgium, and the French coast Jo the month of the Somme. Woolli asks; Will peace ever he signed d we sneak of keeping Belgium? The people who are getting over-rich through the war arc making these demam-s. “TEUTONIC IMPUDENCE." THE SPECTATOR’S COMMENT. Press Association —Copyright, Aimrnv lian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received 12.20 p.ni.) London, December 15. The Spectator says the proposal is a good specimen of Teutonic impn deuce. If the Germans really expected to win, they would make nc suggestion respecting peace. Frob ~I,IV tlicv will prepare new schemes of frightful ness if the Allies rein' ■ to negotiate; Already we know that

the submarines are pushed without limitations. Holland has been forbidden to navigate ships to Thitcli ports without a German escort. Germany also threatens to drop bombs with infected germs broadcast over Britain in order to complete the work of famine. general items.

The whole Russian Press tear the peace proposal to rags, and declare it is primarily intended to make the Germans believe that the continuance of the war is forced upon Ger-

many. * _ Washington states that Senator Gardiner lias introduced a resolution asking Congress not to participate in promoting an unjust peace. America should not support peace unless it provided for the return of all territories and tho payment of indemnities to the Allies, and the disarmament of Germany. The Belgian Legation in London denies any recent Anstro-German offer of peace to Belgium.