THE PEACE NOTE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 16 December 1916, Page 5

THE PEACE NOTE.

' * PEACE OVERTURES. REPARATION FOR PAST. SECURITY FOR FUTURE. LONDON, Dec. 14. Referring to the peace proposals in the House of Commons, Mr Bonar Law reminded the House that Mr Asquith, in moving th e last credit vote, declared that the Allies would require adequate reparation for the past and adequate security for. the future. That was still our policy; that was still the determination of the Government. (Prolonged cheers). THEATRICAL GERMANS. FROM HINDENBURG TO HOLLWEG Received 9.10. AMSTERDAM, Dec 15. Hindenburg telegraphed to B'ethmann Hollweg, congratulating him on his speech, which he read with deep emotion and great satisfaction, as a great moral demonstration of the strength of Germany. He says: We soldiers know there is no higher or holier duty than prosecuting the war to victory with the utmost energy, living and dying for the Kaiser and tide Fatherland. Bethmann Hollweg replied: The deeds of the army on land and water .have cleared the way for a magnanimous decision on the part of the Kaiser and his allies. If our enemies are not pleased to terminate the war today, our soldiers will fight to secure for the Fatherland a strong and lasting peace. SURPRISE IN GERMANY. AT ENTENTE'S COOLNEBH. 'AMSTERDAM, Dee. J 4. German newspapers are surprised at the Allies' coolness towards peace, and Maine England, towards whom they are adopting a menacing tone. PETROGRAD, Dec. .14. The whole press tears the peace proposals to rags. They declare the proposal is intended to make Germans believe continuance of the war is forced on Germany. HOW JAPAN VIEWS THE PROPOSALS. DETERMINED TO DRIVE OUT GERMAN MENACE. Received 9.25. LONDON, Dec 15. The New York Herald's Tokio correspondent learns that Japan will not consider peace on a status quo or before the war basis. Japan will stand staunchly by the Allies until Prussian militarism is overthrown. Japanese statesmen will not consent to the restoration of Kaio-Chau and islands in the Pacific. She may approve of the return of Kaio-Chau to China, but is determined to drive out the German menace from Asia. EXTRAVAGANT RUMOURS. A WORD OF WARNING. Received 9.25. LONDON, Dec 15. Tne "Daily Telegraph's" Rotterdam correspondent says the unexpected sequel to the peace proposals is a great crop of extravagant optimistic rumours from Germany, culminating in j the widely believed fable that the bel- I ligerents have begun to discuss terms. The rumour spread like wild-fire, necessitating inspired cautions in newspapers warning the people that nothing has happened beyond what has Ffileii officially announced. Washington is stated in German official circles to insist on the litaita-: iion of as an item in the peace prpftramme. ,

, FRENZIED EXCITEMENT IN BERLIN PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND THREATS OF VENGEANCE. A WCRD OF WARNING FROM BRITAIN JAPAN WILL HAVE NONE OF IT GREEGE ACCEPTS ALLIES' DEMANDS

FRENZIED SCENES IN BERLIN. PRAYERS FOR PEACE. BERNE, Dec. 14. | German telegrams show that the masses firmly believe the Government's offer brings peace within measurablcf distance. There were frenzied scenes in Berlin when the purport of Hollweg's speech was known. Men rushed wildly from the cafes and women crowded the churches, where Protestant pastors and Catholic priests offered extempore prayers for peace. The scenes showed I now heavily the nightmare of war weighs on the German people. The excitement was reflected on the Berlin and Frankfuit bourses, where 1 shares rose with astonishing rapidity, but collapsed with equal suddenness on the receipt of the unfavourable forecasts of the Allies' answer. Popular excitement continues at fev.er pitch, crowds standing all night in the snow and sronn outside newspaper offices hoping for news from the Entente capitals. ASKING TOO MUCH. AMSTERDAM, Dec. 14. Theodore Wolff protests against the publication of the leading industrial as sociations' peace programme, which demands the annexation of Poland, Lithuania, the Baltic provinces, Belgium, and the French coast to the mouth of the Somme. Wolff asks: "Will peace ever be signed if we speak of keeping Belgium? It is the people who are getting over-rich as a result of the war who are making these demands. HUNNI3H THREATS. AMSTERDAM, Dec. 14. The Rhenisahe Westphalien Gazette says: We believe the enemy will certainly refuse our peace offer, and even attribute it to weakness. We are confident that answer will get an echo from Germany such as the enemy never dreamed of. The "Lokal Anzeiger" says: In case the enemy rejects the hand held out, we and our allies unanimously approve of the merciless prosecution of the war with every weapon at our'disposal. The responsibility will rest with the Governments and Parliaments which refuse to end the war till they are anihilated. , The Tageblatt urges the people to disregard the disappointing comments of the Entente press on the peace proposals and adds: Not until the New Year shall wc know how the thrilling appeal has struck the hearts of the Entente 's people. LORD NORTHCLIFFE INTERVIEWED. NEW YORK, Dec. .15. Lord Northcliffe, in an interview with. the United Press, said the peace move was due to the food shortage in Germany and the strained relations between Germany, Austria, and Turkey. "The fact is, Germany knows that Britain will have thrice the guns and shells possessed by the Huns in 1917. The proposals have been received in England With contempt. Britain is gratified that America has seen through the bluff. The Allies stand as firm as a rock." "TERRIBLE MISTAKE. " PREMATURE PEACE. PETROGRAD, Dec. 14. Authoritative opinion is that the peace proposals are a fresh trap. A premature peace would be a terrible mistake. The Allies must, proceed to final triumph. SURPRISE IN JAPAN. TOKIO, Dec. 15. The peace proposals came as a surprise. The Stock Exchange was panicstricken, and shares fell heavily. The Exchange closed to the 16th inst. Influential opinion does not believe that the Allies will consider the pro- ] posals.

PEACE OFFER TO BELGIUM DENIED. j LONDON Doc. 15. The Belgian Legation denies that there has been any recent Austro--1 German offers of peace to Belgium. GERMAN SOLDIERS REJOICING AT PROSPECTS OF PEACE. Received 9.10. FLUSHING, Dec 15. There are great rejoicings among German soldiers on the Belgian frontier and other places, who believe peace imminent. Their oehaviour is everywhere that of a victorious army. CRAFTY FERDINAND SPEAKS. AMSTERDAM, Dec 14. King Ferdinand sent the following message to the Bulgarian army: All our enemies are conquered. We and the Central sovereigns, inspird by our victorieshave promised peace. We shall soon see if the highly humanitarian action is justly appreciated by our enemies. Meanwhile we will win new victories with the help of God. PROPOSALS NOT RECEIVED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. LONDON, Dec 14. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law said that no peace pro yosais had reached the British Govern, ment. PLEA FOR A CONFERENCE. AMSTERDAM, Dec 14. The "Frankfurter Zeitung" humbiy states that Germany does not claim peace as a victor, but makes the t . posals expecting counter-proposals, aaving a compromise in view. The paper pleads for a conference at which the actual discussion will remove misunderstanding. iv.'u-IIOW IN w.c. OOUdKctao. WASHINGTON, Dec 15. Mr. Gardiner mirouuceu a luuuou asKing not to participate iu promocing an unjust peace. America snouiu not support peace unless it provided for the return of all territory, the payment of indemnities to the I Allies and the disarmament of Germany. PREMATURE PEACE DENOUNCED. PETROGRAD, Dec 15. A semi-official Note, in a scornful criticism of the peace proposals, declares that ail the innumerable sacrifices of the Allies would be nullified by premature peace with the enemy, who are exhausted, but not yet brought down. THE COMMONS OPENS. AN EXTRAORDINARY SCENE. LONDON, Dec 14. The Commons was crowded when the House resumed. Parties were extraordinarily mixed. Some Liberals crossed to the Opposition side, and many Unionists remained among the Opposition. A considerable number of Liberals remained on the Ministerial side, and these were joined by some Unionists, who crossed. The majority of the Labourites remained o n the Ministerial side. A FORGERY DENOUNCED BY VENEZELOS. LONDON, Dec 15. Official. —Venezelos sent a message to the British Government that the Greek Government had published in newspapers a facsimile letter purporting to have been written by him to General Koraks, explaining the arrangements to instal Venezelos at Athens, with the Entente's recognition. Venezelos denounces the letter as a forgery. SOUTH AFRICA'S OPINION OF THE PROPOSALS. Received 11.5. JOHANNESBURG, Dec 15. Newspapers denounce the peace offer as a clever attempt to disunite the Allies. REFUSAL OF PEACE TERMS ANTICIPATED. Received 11.5. LONDON, Dec 15. Semi-official statements in all the capitals indicate a refusal of the German peace offers. THE HAGUE, Dec 15. Karoly's party in the Hungarian Parliament are demanding the terms of the peace offers.