RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE GOD.

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

RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE GOD.

BASIS FOR A LASTING PEACE. SIMULTANEOUS NOTK7 BY CENTRAL POWERS. Received 10.30. LONDON, Dec 12. An official wireless states that Hollweg announced in the Reichstag that Germany, with the Allies, is conscious of its responsibility before God, before man, before the nation, and before humanity. He proposed this morning that the .hostile Powers should enter into peace negotiations. Hollweg this morning received the American, Spanish, and Swiss representatives, and presented them with a Note proposing peace, and asked them Jto transmit the Note to the hostile Governments. Vienna, Constantinople, and Sofia simultaneously issued an identical note, the text whereof was communicated to the Holy See and all neutrals. The contents are not yet disclosed. The wireless adds that the four Allied Powers put forth propositions which, according to their firm belief, is an appropriate basis for the establishment of an everlasting peace. THE REASON FOR SUMMONING THE REICHSTAG. Received 11.45. BERLIN, Dec 12. An official wireless says that practically every member of the Reichstag responded to the unexpected summons, and hastened to the capital. There was a crowded House and thronged galleries, who listened in respectful silence. Hollweg said the date of summoning tie Reichstag was I left to the President's discretion, because he hoped for happy events soon to occur in the field. This hope was fulfilled quicker than expected. Actions speak for themselves. The renewed Italian attacks aimed at the paralysis of Austria-Hungary. The situation was serious, but with God's help our troops had so shaped the conditions that our security was greater than ever before. THE KAISER'S MESSAGE. Received 11.45. AMSTERDAM, Dec 12. The Kaiser has delivered the following message to all generals and soldiers: I n agreement with the sovereigns of my allies, and with the consciousness of victory, i offer peace to the enemy. Whether ic will be accepted still remains uncertain, but until that moment arrives we will fight on.

FRENCH HIGH COMMAND.

! JOFFRS MAY RETIRE. i Received 915 WASHINGTON, Dec. 12. Advices to diplomatic circles from France support the reports that General Joi'i're may retire. A complete re-organisation in the conduct of. the war is under consideration. Generals Petain or Nevelle may be Joffre's successor. Petain wanted over-large powers, therefore Nevellc is the more likely. JOFFRE RETIRING. LONDON, Dec 12. The Manchester Guardian's Paris correspondent says Joffre is retiring, and will be appointed President of the Military Council of the Allies, retaining the title of Commander-in-Chief.

BELGIAN DEPORTATIONS.

AN APPEAL AND A PROTEST. Received 11.45 NEW YORK, Dec. 12. Newspapers publish Holland and the Neutral League's appeals to America to stop the hellish scourge of the deportation of Belgians by collective action of neutrals. AMSTERDAM, Dec 12. The Dutch Socialists passed resolutions unanimously condoning the deportations, and telegraphed urging German Socialists to pretest in Thursday'* Reichstag. SERIOUS RIOTING. Received 11.45. AMSTERDAM, Dec 12. Serious rioting occurred at Turcoing on the occasion of the deportation of civilians. German soldiers struck civilians, and the crowd attacked the escorting troops. T.he cavalry charged, and killed sixteen townspeople.

BLEEDING BELGIUM.

ANOTHER HUN EXACTION. HAVRE, Dec. 11. A conference of Belgian provincial councils refused General von Bissing's demand for an increase in the monthly levy from forty thousand to fifty thousand francs.