Peace Talk.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 26, 27 December 1916, Page 5

Peace Talk.

THE AMERICAN NOTE. PULPIT REFERENCES. Press Association— Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, December 25. The significance of the possible results of the American Not© is the dominant theme of public discussion. Many pulpit references were made to the subject, including a striking denunciation by - the Dean of Westminster at the Abbey. He said: "If is our resolve, God helping us, to overthrow the military brigandage of Europe. The President of the United States, after two y ear s'j study of the question, seems to believe the object of the two groups of belligerents is the same. President Wilson knows tnat, Germany refused jevery overture to prevent the war, organised atrocities in Belgium, sank the Lusitania, murdered Captain Fryatt, and connived at Armenian massacres, yet he is 01 opinion that the nations leagued to disarm this evil demoniac have tne same aims as the pepetrators of the historic crimes. President Wilson, in a fit of mental aberration, sent tne wrong Note, or he entirely misapprehends the European situation."

BERNSTORFF'S MACHINATIONS. London, December 25. The Daily Chronicle's New York correspondent reveals the inner history of the Note, which was due to the machinations of Count Bernstorff. At a recent Cabinet meeting President Wilson announced that if the evidence as to the Carina was similar to that in the cases proved, he favored an immediate severance of relations with Germany. The majority of the Cabinet agreed, and the State* l>*~ partment informed Count Bernscor:: of the Cabinet's decision. Count Bernstorff persuaded the Kaiser to transfer his peace note, which he intended to send through the Pope to neutrals, including America, to President Wilson, who was thus forced to. ignore the peace message, dismiss Count Bernstorff and recall Mr Gerard, or postpone action in the hope that peace discussions would delay suomarine atrocities. Meanwhile, Geimany announced that if the negotia tions wero unsuccessful, submarine frightfulness would be increased, and suggesting that American commerce would be crippled. Britain, meanwhile, was arranging a mobilisation ol her mercantile fleet, causing the United States to fear the result in the disorganisation of commerce. President, therefore, decided to ask each belligerent for statements regarding its objectives, and the same note contained the implied warning o. Germany; but Count Bernstorff persuaded President Wilson that it was dishonorable to act against German;. until the peace negotiations were fin ished. The Germans are now endea-i vowing to make President Wilson the depository 'of pretended secret term,, thus sealing President AM son > mouth and making a diplomatic brealt impossible. Rome, December l#. . Brazil, Argentine, and Chili hav >■■■ adhered to President Wilson's Note. SWITZERLAND'S NOTE. London, December 26. Switzerland's Note to the belhger- ' ents is less elaborate than Piew dent Wilson's, but the arguments ai. the same-humanitarian consi^a - tions, neutrals' sufferings, and feais of the extension of the conflict. .

The Note arrived in London on Friday, and in Paris on Saturday.

The Petit Parisien states that the Note reveals that Switzerland took the initiative and sounded President Wilson five weeks ago. President Wilson is therefore assured of the support of Switzerland. The Note does not invite belligerents to state their objects, nor does' it deal with the origin of the conflict, but merely expresses the hope that the war will soon end.

The newspapers comment courteous ly, appreciating Switzerland's atti tude during the war period.

Switzerland's Peace Note, after, inciting that the Swiss Federal Council for a considerable time was in touch with the President, states it was guided by the desire that hostilities may soon end. Reviewing portions of President Wilson's Note and discussing the desirability of international agreements, together with the necessity for bringing to an end the present war, it says this most meritorious personal initiative of President Wilson will, find a mighty echo in Switzerland. True to its obligations arising from the ouservation of strict neutrality, and united by the same friendship for the states of both the warring groups, it is situated like an island amidst the seething wares of the terrible wai, with the ideal-'and material interests most sensibly jeopardised and violated, and ready to assist by its small means to establish foundations for the beneficial co-operation of the peoples. The Swiss Federal' Council is therefore glad to seize the opportunity vo support the efforts of the President of the United States. The Council would consider itself happy if it could act, no matter in how modest a way, for a rapprochement of the peoples now engaged In the straggle, and for a far-reaching and lasting peace.

ALLIED CO-OPERATION. Press Association—Copyright, Auscra Han and N.Z. Cable Association Rome, December 24. After Signor Casteli's speech proclaiming Italy's firm resolve to pusli the war. on to victory, the Senate unanimously voted confidence in the Government. Paris, December 24. The Senate, by 194 votes to 60, passed a vote of confidence in the Government. The resolution embodied the same sentence as the one addressed to the enemies of France by the Revolutionary Convention of 1793: "France cannot make peace with enemies occupying her territory." The public are enthusiastic, and interpret this as a reply to Germany and President Wilson. » ■■ THE POPE'S ATTSTUDE. Rome, December 25. A wireless press report states that whilst the Pope is morally supporting President Wilson's initiative, ho will not publish any diplomatic Note before the intention of the belligerents is known. Public opinion is solidly against neutral intervention. Zurich, December 25. A wireless Press correspondent says that Austro-Gerhiany is strenuously endeavouring to induce the Pope to support the peace overtures. Representatives twice had private audience.

with the Papal Nuncio, and the King of Bavaria also privately had audi-i ence with the Nuncio. \ At Munich the Kaiser received l!m Archbishops of Breslau and Posen. Herr Bethmann-Hollweg has sum moned Herr Spahn, Bochem, and Eraberger, leaders of the Centre Party, to a conference at Berlin. WIDESPREAD OPINIONS. Press Association—Copyright, Aumi* lian and N.Z. Cable Association. Berne, December 2b. It is reported that Sweden :s disposed to make a proposal to the belli gerents similar to the Swiss. The Swedish Minister in Paris has no information, but considers it logical that Scandinavians should identify themselves with President Wilson's Note.

PEACE OPINIONS IN SYDNEY. Press Association— Copyright Sydney, December 20. There wore many peace sermons in the churches. Archbishop Wright said that if peace Were taken as offered it would be on a sham base. We should be false to fallen souls who died for us, false to our better selves, and false to those of the future. Mr Cook, leader of the Federal Opposition, in a speech, said he regarded German peace efforts as a mockery. "We must not," he said, "begin to discuss peace amongst ourselves while Germany proceeds with her devilifltij designs to overpower the world." j

MANCHESTER SCHOOL VIEWS. Press Association—-Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, December 25. The' Manchester Guardian, referring to the criticisms on the American peace note, warns the nation aguiim any hasty or ill-considered reply. It believed that' the note, if wisely answered, can only help the Allies' causa and emphasise the weakness or the German position. It says it seems to be forgotten that this country was responsible for an identical note, addressed to all belligerents, and careful reading of the passage wherein; President Wilson suggests that bot»| sides are fighting for the same objects reveals that President Wilson said this is what the belligerents tell their own countrymen. This passage was read by Germany as humour, but it might be taken as severe sarcasm. The Guardian warns the Allies oi being betrayed by playing the Germans' game if they put themselves in the wrong with America, A crowd, consisting chiefly of soldiers, broke up a peace demonstration at Trafalgar Square. The police protected, the speakers. GERMAN PRESS VIEWS. Amsterdam, December 25. The German press indicates that President Wilson's Note was welcomed by Pan-Germans, who affect to desireto continue the war with intensrtteu f rightfulness. They declare that America desires to save Anglo-Saxons by influencing Germany in snatching away the prize of victory. On the other hand, the Chancellor's support-; ers see no fundamental differences between the proposals of Germany and those of President Wilson. A wireless message states that I*resident Wilson's Note -aroused widespread interest in Germany. One group of newspapers view it favorably, while others regard it as an attempt to help Britain at a critical moment.

IMMEDIATE CONFERENCE. THE DESIRE OF GERMANY. Press Association— Copyright, AustraMan and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.45 a.m.) Washington, December 26. Germany, replying to President Wilson's Note, suggests an immediate conference of belligerents. GENERAL ITEMS. Press Association— Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. New York, December 24. Mr Lloyd George, interviewed by Everybody's Magazine, said the world's hope was that America would realise that the call of destiny was making her tones louder and more insistent as the terrible months pass, and that her destiny lies in the enforcement of international law rights. Mr Hall Caine, in a letter to the New York Times, says he does not doubt President Wilson's sincerity, but the lack of feeling in the Note is surprising and almost stupefying Never in the history of diplomacy has such a tragically untimely offer been made by the head of a great nation. The Note had turned back the hands of the clock. London, December 25. The Cologne; Gazette, in an inspired leader, says Germany intends returning the Baltic provinces to Russia. The new position cannot be changed by losing Poland. Russia will be able to form a united, homogenous empire, but Germany will be unable to allow Constantinople to become Russian. She is willing, however, to arrange with Turkey for all warships and merchantmen to use the straits.