Peace Proposals

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 20, 18 December 1916, Page 5

Peace Proposals

LOYALTY TO THE ALLIES.

MR HENDERSON’S VIEWS. ONLY ACCEPTABLE TERMS. Press Association—Copyright, Austr.u ban and N.Z. Cable Association London, December 16. Mr Arthur Henderson, speaking in London, said the Government did not yet know anything of the text of the German proposals. Germany’s motives remained t a matter for speciilation. Judging by recent events they probably will not err on the side of magnanimity. He added that Britain, from her love of peace, was anxious to appreciate the real meaning of the proposals. If any were put. forward they would be examined with the greatest care. They must remember that Germany desired peace of Britain in August, 1914, but on conditions fatal to our honor and loyalty. The same spirit of loyalty to our brave and loyal Allies would determine the spirit wherewith we would examine the fresh proposals, which mush be scrutinised in the light of our obligations not to conclude a separate peace. Wo must remember the greater sacrifices of France, Belgium, Serbia, and Poland. Any peace must be just and permanent, with the supreme condition that it conserves the principles wherefor we entered the war. There must not only be reparation for the past and security for the future, but guarantees for the duration of peace. Germany might have such a peace if she furnished proof of her good intentions, but if 'the overtures were merely a pretence, if they seek an armistice for breathing space in order to lay fresh plans of aggression, thepeople of these islands, however tempted, must set their faces like steel against the proposals. The Solicitor-General, speaking at Leicester, said the Government would consider the proposals to negotiate for peace, subject to two conditions—firstly, our aims and ideals in connection with our participation in the war must remain unchanged; secondly, we must act concertedly with our allies.

DOUMA AGAINST PEACE. GERMANY’S POWER MUST BE BROKEN. Petrograd, December 16. The Duma unanimously resolved against entering into any peace negotiations whatever at the present time.

The Foreign Minister' said that Germany’s offer did not surprise the Allies. Germany had previously put out feelers for a separate peace. Now, v recognising her powerlessness to break the unshakeable alliances, she officially proposed negotiations. The real meaning was an attempt to profit at the last moment from her fleeting territorial conquests before her domestic weakness was revealed. Russia indignantly repudiated the mere idea of suspending the struggle against an enemy whose forces were shaken but not broken, seeking breathing space by her deceitful offer. The inflexible decision of Russia was in complete agreement with the Allies. No subterfuge would prevent their carrying on the war till the enemy was crushed. GERMAN VIEWS. Press Association —Copyright, Austra* lian and JN.Z. Cable Association. Washington, December 17. Count Bernstorff has interviewed Mr Lansing. Count Bernstorff stated that if the belligerents will agree to meet in conference, Germany will submit definite peace terms. London, December 16.

A wireless message states that the Conservatives in the Reichstag, m caucus, passed a resolution that peace negotiations must not bo conducted on the lines of peace at any price. The Conservatives firmly expect the advantages gamed with the blood and brains of the troops to ho the basis of a peace guaranteeing the military, economic, and financial future of Germany. 1

Amsterdam, December 16

The Kaiser,* when reviewing troops at Mulhauseu, said: “I feel we are absolute conquerors. Wc have offered to negotiate with the enemy. All rests with you. If fighting must continue, if the enemy still thinks he has not had enough, then 1 know a military gesture, calling forth a grim smile on the men’s laces. Speaking to the officers, the Kaiser reaffirmed his faith in militarism. Washington, December 16.

According to the German Embassy, peace will 'be worthless unless it renders pre-war armaments unnecessary. Loudon, December 16. The German press reports of Herr von Bethmanu-Hollweg’s speech show important discrepancies. In the wireless propaganda reports ho indicates that Germany is not proposing terms, hut would present them in tlie event of negotiations. Other passages are doctored to remove the gloominess of the speech.

Washington, December 15. The German Embassy has authorised a statement that it is certain one of the most important subjects for discussion at the peace conference will be the universal limitation ot armaments. k'resb Association—Copyright. Reuter’s Telegrams New York, December 16. Mr W. J. Bryan has appealed to Mr Lloyd George, urging peace negotiations in the case of all international disputes that are capable of adjustment by peaceful means. He adds: “Do not, I pray you, by refusing to exchange views, assume the responsibility of a continuation of this unspeakable conflict. Your decision may mean life or death to millions.”

It is officially anounced that the United States will forward the Central Powers’ peace proposals to the Entente Powers without comment.

another kaiser mistake. PREMIER MASSEY’S OPINION. Press Association—Copyright, Austra lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.10 a.m.) London, December 17.

The Hon. Mr Massey, in an article in Lloyd’s Weekly, says; If the Kaiser thinks we are going to make peace on his v terms, it is another of the Kaiser’s many mistakes. Britishers will not forget that the peace proposals are “made in Germany” and distrust them accordingly. The present proposals are an insult to the Empire. Wo shall carry on until Germany atones for her crimes.

HOLLWEC ON HIS HIND LEGS.

Press Association—Copyright, Austra lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.30 a.in.) London, December 17. Herr von Bethmann Hollweg, prior to the meeting of the Riechstag. refused to give peace details. At a private conference of party leaders, the Chancellor demanded unfettered powers in’*connection with the negotiations, otherwise he would resign.

A UNITED PEOPLE. RUSSIA’S PRESENT TEMPER. Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.30 a.m.) London, December 17. The Observer’s Pertograd correspondent says: M. Pekrovsky, "ho was appointed the day after Hollweg’s speech and is,honest and hardworking, won rounds of applause in the Duma for his emphatic rejection of the German advances.

Although the demand for a Cabinet enjoying the public confidence is not yet granted, the opinion is expressing itself with growing firmness, ana striking unanimity that' the whole country from top to bottom insisted on a reorganisation for victory j hence the denunciation of the dark forces or the irresponsible influences which were regarded as the chief obstacle to a complete fusion of the Government with the Nation. Even the reactionary association nobles, which m 1915 denounced the summoning of the Duma now ousted its executive, overruled its previous decision, and demanded a Cabinet of confidence, but from a standpoint of devotion to the autocracy' recommended that Cabinet he Responsible to the Czar. ft must be noted that all the resolutions of various bodies recenly cabled, and the concentration of widely divergent and formerly opposing groups, represent a greater effort towards real victory than that leading to the formation of a Vt’ar Cabinet in England. This was the situation whereon the German peace proposal happened to impinge.

BERNSTORFPS ACTIVITY,

PEACE PRESS CAMPAIGN. Press Association —Copyright, Austra. lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.10 a.m.) , New York, December 17. Count Bernstorff’s is endeavouring to manipulate a press campaign favourable to a peace conference, and the Hearst papers assisting with special articles in the evening journal organising a peace petition to President Wilson,

j DECRIED BY THE ALLIES.

PORTUGUESE DEMAND HUN WHIPPING. Press \saouauon—Copyngnt. United Service. (Received 9.10 a.m.) London, December 17. Spain lias forwarded the Peace Note to Portugal, Belgium, Italy and Boumania. The Portuguese press demand the inexorable chastisement of the Germans before peace.

CONSERVATIVE-SOCIALIST ELEMENT IN GERMANY.

PROTEST TO REICHSTAG. Press Association —Copyright, AusUv. lian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received 9.10 a.m.) Amsterdam, December 17. The Conservative and Socialist minority parties discussed the peace 1 proposals. i The Conservatives approved of tho ! Note, but saw little chance of its acceptance, and protested to the Reichstag at the parties not being given an opportunity to debate it ? because the world would then have learned that the German people < were unanimous i in not desiring to hasten peace at all I costs but were ready to fight to the last if it was a question of securing the future and existence of Germany.' The Socialist minority resolved that if the Note led to peace, it would bp necessary for all countries to renounce the idea, of annexation of territory or of political and military subjection by any people. Armaments should everywhere be restricted by international agreements and all differences submitted to mediation.