PEACE PROPOSALS

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 13 December 1916, Page 5

PEACE PROPOSALS

f FORMULATED BY GERMANY WILL CEDE ALL CONQUERED TERRITORY LOST COLONIES TO BE RETURNED INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN GERMANY AND AMERICA GREER TROOPS CALLED UP

OF GEEMAN itHiICJIbTAG.

. A REMARKABLE MEETING. AMSTERDAM, Dec 11. Members of the Reichstag have been summoned by telegram to what is expected to prove the most remarkable meeting since the outbreak of the war. Count von Hollweg's action is being taken in full agreement with Vienna, Sofia, and Constantinople, -vvnere similar action is being adopted simultaneously. A STATE OF FEVERISH EXCITEMENT. NEUTRAL AMBASSADORS INVITED. LONDON, Dec 12. The "Daily Telegraph's" Rotterdam correspondent says that Berlin continues to be leverishly excited in anticipation of the meeting of the Reichstag. A semi-official statement added fuel to the flames by declaring that not only would the meeting be the most remarkable since the war began, but it would also have world historic importance. Every kind of speculation is rife. The Imperial Governpfcaent is conferring with leading states men of all States, who have been summoned to Berlin. Another remarkable procedure is that all neutral ambassadors have been invited to meet Coun von Hollweg this evening. Herr Zimmerman, the new Foreign Secretary, will meet party leaders to-morrow morning prior to the gathering of the Reichstag. All the deputies, including . those in the field, have bc.en summoned by wire. Von Hollweg telegraphed on Saturday instructing the president to summon the Reichstag. The public are commenting on the fact that the action was taken immediately von Hollweg returned to Berlin from headquarters, where an important conference took place, the Kaiser and King Ludwig of Bavaria participating. Rumours regarding von Hollweg's speech range from peace proposals to the establishment of a new Balkan federation. The favourite idea is the promulgation of seperate peace with Roumania and Ferdinand's deposition in favour of a Hohenzollern nominee. A semi-official communique warns the public against believing rumours, and the strictest secrecy is being safeguarded.

-iu DEFINITE PEACE PROPOSALS FROM GERMANY.

OFFERS TO GIVE UP ALL CONQUEEED TERRITORY AND RETURN TO PRE-WAR STATUS Received 8.55 VANCOUVER, Dec. 12. Advices from Berlin state that the Reichstag met amid tremendous excitement. Count Bethmann-Hollweg conferred •with representatives of Neutral Powers, and handed them a note containing Germany's proposals, which it is understood will form the basis of a lasting peace. Count Bethmann-Hollweg formallyproposed that peace negotiations be begun with representatives of Switzerland, the United States, and Spain. Germany offered to give \ip all conquered territory and return to her ante bellum status. GERMAN ADVERTISING. I Received 9.15 LONDON, Dec. 12. The Central News points out that German anouncements in the Reich- > ifjmtag have been circulated world-wide devious channels, but bear a textual similarity. There are indications that the German Government is sedulously advertising the session with hitherto obscure motive.

FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE CONDITIONS.

RESTORATION OF LOST COLONIES WILL THE ALLIES TALK PEACE? Received 10.5. WASHINGTON, Dec 12. A prominent official of the German Embassy informed the United Press that Germany's peace terms include practically a return to the territorial status ante helium, with the following exceptions: Establishment of the Kingdom of Poland to Lithuania, readjustment of international boundar ies in the Balkans. The latter question is so complicated that it means j at least the partial restoration of Ser- | via and Roumania. The terms also I include the return of Germany's lost colonies. The Embassy official adds that the factors which led to the German proposals are the favourable military positions of the Central Powers, and the fact that the winter necessitates a cessation of hard fighting, and a desire to convince the world that Germany Is not fighting the wai for territorial conquest. The important question is to discover whether the Allies will talk peace. IS IT GERMAN BLUFF? INEXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCES. Received 11.5. NEW YORK, Dec 12. Newspaper despatches from Berlin state that the Reichstag galleries were crowded. Hollweg, after announcing the peace I proposals, added that Roumania entered the war in order to roll up the position in the East. The Allies' offensive en the Sorame had the object of piercing the West front, but both } failed. Hindenburg would take no rest until he had dealt with Italy. At the same time firm foundations were laid for our economic needs. Great stocks of grain, victuals, and oil captured in Roumania, of which the transport thereof had now begun. Great deeds were also being accomplished by German submarines. The German Empire is not a beseiged fortress, but a gigantic firmly-disciplined camp, with inexhaustible resources, TREMENDOUS EXCITEMENT IN AMERICA. AMERICANS NOT OPTIMISTIC. Received 11.20. NEW YORK, Dec 12. Tremendous interest is shown here and in Washington in Hollweg's proposals. Bernstorff interviewed Lansing as to the possibility of President Wilson intervening. Diplomatic circles opine that Germany's decision is the result of the success in Roumania and the Cabinet crisis in England. The United States will transmit the proposals without comment. NEW YORK, Dec 12. Newspapers give prominence to the speech by "cross-the-page" headings and pictures of Hollweg and the Kaiser, Special editions sold like wildfire. There was excitement in yvall Street on the first announcement, quieter trading following, due to the belief that the Allies will absolutely refuse to accept peace. The indifference in the Morgan circles interested mean that the American financial representatives of the Allies do not consider there is any pos sibiiity of peace, believing that Lloyd George, having the organisation of a tremendous offensive, is determined resolately pursue war.