Peace Talk

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 29, 30 December 1916, Page 5

Peace Talk

J AMERICA'S INTERESTS, PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS. Press Association—Copyright, iiustra. lian and N.2. Cable Association. Washington, December 29. ; The peace negotiations are followed with the closest interest. President Wilson has daily consultations vviih Mr Lansing. Officials assert that the complete failure of the negotiations will be followed by a most serious crisis with Germany on the submarine issue. The text of the Austrian reply to President Wilson's Note differs slightly from the reply originally issued. The text embodies the following paragraph: ''The Austrian Government concurs in the opinion of the President that only after the termination of the present war will it he possible to undertake the great and desirable work of prevention of further wars. At the appropriate time Austria, will be ready to co-operate for the realisation of this noble aim." The German text contains the following paragraph : "It is the view of the Imperial Government that the great work of the prevention of future wars can be taken up only after ending the present conflict of exhaustion."

! The German Embassy has inspired [the statement that if the Entente considered what guarantees for thefuture wore essential there might be i some declaration of the principle whereto they were willing to subscribe ileaving the details for settlement by ,the conference.

BERNSTORFF IN THE KNOW. CERMANY ANXIOUSLY WAITS' ALLIES' REPLY. PRESS ADVICE FOR WILSON. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 8.5 a.m.) Washington, December 2D. Correspondents believe that Ger : many's peace terms arc known to Count Bernstorff, who has been invested with extra powers in order to deal with the situation. President Wilson expects a Supplementary Note from Mr Gerard (Ambassador at Berlin) amplifying Germany's reply. Count Bernstorff hints that Germany is ready secretly to inform President Wilson of her terms.

The Allies' reply is feverishly awaited. The Tribune says; For two years the American foreign policy was shaped by fear of Germany. The Administration believes that a break with Germany is inevitable: therefore, it is. time President Wilson took counsel of his courage rather than of his fear. We are at the end of the road, and this is President Wilson's opportunity. The New York World learns that Sir Cecil Spring-Rice (British Ambassador at Washington) may retire. SWEDISH OFFICIAL OPINION. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Rome, December 28. The Swedish Legation denies Sweden's adhesion to the American and : Swiss Peace Notes, and adds that, after the Entente Ministers' speeches and the Czar's manifesto, all steps towards a conference were premature. ABORTIVE PEACE MISSION. Press Assn.—Copyright.—Australian lian and N.Z. Cable Association. Rome, December 29. M. Caillaux recently visited Borne, and it is believed he came as a peace missionary, stating that Germany was prepared to treat France liberally and grant Italy almost the whole of her ambitions at Austria's expense, Germany recouping her own war expenses in the East and the Balkans. M. Caillaux met with several rebuffs, including one from the Vatican, where lie failed to obtain a Papal audience. It is reported that the Italian Government were on the point of requesting M. Caillaux to depart, but lie Shad already started. It is supposed Ithat M. Caillaux represents certain i international financiers.