Peace Talk

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 28, 29 December 1916, Page 5

Peace Talk

GERMANY’S LATEST. O'•'.*V V T: ' ‘ : i * V-' V’*'; , * ’ NEW CONDITIONS OF PEACE. ■— REMARKABLE CONCESSIONS. ' ( Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. 51 (Received 1.10 n.m. * New York, December 28. The New York World’s Washington correspondent understands that Gfermany is prepared—■To abandon the demand for the inpendence of Poland and Lithuania; To agree to evacuate Russia, Belgium, and France; To restore and indemnify Belgium and admit that the invasion was illegal; But owing to unavoidable military necessity Germany demands the territorial integrity of Germany’s Allies anti the restoration of the German cotohiea.-’ M * 1 THE CZAR’S MESSAGE. V /■■;/ ■ ■•• X - 1 Per Press Association. rr , 4 Wellington, December 28. .The High Commissioner reports from London under date December 27 9.55 p.m. :— The Czar issued the following order to the army and navy on December 25:

; “Peace at this moment would mean B failure to utilise the fruits of the untold trials of my. heroic troops and fleet. Who dared to think that he who commenced this war should have it in his power to conclude it at any time he liked? Peace can only come after the enemy has been driven from the Russian borders, and then only C. ' when finally broken, so as to give the Allies reliable proof of the impossibility of a repetition of a treacherous attack. By the strength of these guarantees I will be bound to secure the fulfilment in peace of those things I have undertaken.’ 7 Tile message concluded with an assnrance of victory. j The Czar added that the concentrated efforts of the Government . had gradually reduced the inequalities between the Russian and German tech nical resources, while even from the autumn of 1915 the enemy had been experiencing a difficulty in retaining a single portion of Russian soil, anc. in the spring and summer of 19ib . had suffered a number of severe defeats and had assumed the defensive on the whole front. 4ho enemy s strength was apparently waning, but Kthe strength of Russia and her gal lant allies continued to grow. Gei many was aware that the hour of < iei complete defeat and retribution was. , near, and offered to enter upon peac negotiations, hoping to complete tli»i before her military talent was ex hausted; but the Allies, including al mighty England and noble Italy, weu ' bo strong that they were able to cnootheir own time to make peace. ln<. •time had not yet arrived. The enemy had not, as he expected, occupied the provinces, Russia’s task of regain ing Constantinople and the Dardauo. les, and creating a free Poland, me. not yet been accomplished. To con elude peace now would mean failure ( Utilise the fruits of Russia s untolc trials. Who dared -to think that in precipitator was to have it m liy power to conclude the war whenever ho chooses? “I have no doul.t as u . every faithful sou of holy Buss.o Minß in the firing lino, or of Eng »ncl. - industrial increase and ear strui„ I am convinced that peace con oru,

be possible when the enemy is tinally broken, and can give reliable proof of the impossibility of a repetition of his treacherous attack, together with a firm assurance to keep bis promises. He must be bound by strong guarantees to fulfil peace at the time bis obligations to this effect are undertaken. Let us. l>e firm, in the certainty of victory, and may the All Highest bless our standards, cover them afresh with glory, and send ft final peace worthy of your heroism.”

It is upwards of two years since ■Germany, in the midst of peace, after long and secretly preparing to enslave all the Nations of Europe, suddenly attacked Russia and her faitnful ally France, compelling England to join us. The complete disdain of international law, which was demonstrated by the violation of Belgium land the pitiless cruelty to the peaceful inhabitants of the occupied provinces gradually united the Gioat Powers against Anstro-Germany. Under the pressure of the Germans, who were well provided with technical aics to warfare, Russia and France were compelled in 1914 to give.up portion of their territory, but the temporal > reverse, did not break the spirit of the Allies.

“UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.”

Press Association— Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.20 a.m.) /> . • London, December 28. » The Morning Post’s Petrograd correspondent states: Russia s leply to Germany* ;■ formulates in agreement with the Allies. It is understood here that The reply substantially informs Germany that her only chance is peace on unconditional surrender.

PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS.

ON XMAS DAY IN AUSTRIA. UNINTERRUPTED BY POLICE. Press Assn.—Copyright,—Australian lian and N.Z. Gable Association. (Received 9.a.m.) Geneva, December 28. On Christmas Day peace demonstrations were held throughout Austria, prominent Socialists addressing great gatherings in Vienna. The police did nob interfere.

AUSTRIAN FEELINGS. SEPARATE PEACE IDEA. © ANQLO-FR ANCO-AUSTRI AN CONFERENCE. "rose Association— Copyright, Australian and N.Z, Cable Association. (Received 11.20 a.m.) London, December 28. The Daily News’ Geneva correspondent say’s; A party of Austrian diplomatists have arrived here. It s believed Austria, though ’ unwilling to desert Germany, Is prepared to negotiate .direct with England and Prance. Her idea is, that as Austria, England, and France have not vet met- in actual hostilities, they might discuss, evacuation questions at a full conference of belligerents to be held preferably at Geneva.

THE DARDANELLES QUESTION. I | GERMAN PAPER’S BELIEF. j Han and N.Z, Cable Association Press Association —Copyright, Ausira j (Received 11.20 a.m.) 1 Amsterdam, December 28. j Tlie Vossicbe Zeitung says; Wo be-j lieve that the question of the Dar-j dandles can be solved satisfactorily: for Russia without continuing the fighting. Germany and Austria replied to Switzerland in similar terms to Anier-j Turkey’s reply to the American, Note is similar to that of the Om'rnl Powers. SOCIALIST CONGRESS. GERMANY’S SPURIOUS PEACE PROPOSAL. Press Association—Copyright, Austra lian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received 11.15 a.m.) Paris, December 28. The Socialist Congress passed a resolution that Germany’s Note does not constitute a genuine peace proposal, as it does not contain the terms. The Congress asks the Allies to reply that though they desired peace they accepted war courageously, but were ready for peace provided there was reparation, the ending of injustices and militarism, and the establishing of a League of Free Nations. ■

NO CHANCE IN THE ALLIES. Press Association—Copyright, lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.15 a.m.) London, December 28. The Manchester Guardian declares that the second American Note received in London - is explanatory of the first, and the Note does not alter the Allies’ attitude.