WAR NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 27 December 1916, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

PEACE PEOPOSALS. NEW YORK, Dcscmbcr 24 Mr Lloyd George, interviewed by Everybody's Magazinc,says the world's hope is that America will realise that the call of destiny is making her tones louder and more insistent as flic terrible months pass, that destiny lies in the enforcement of international law and rights. Hall Cainc, in a letter to the New York Times, docs not doubt Mr Wilson 's sincerity, but the lack of feeling in the note is surprising, almost stupifying. Never in the history of diplomacy has such a tragically untimely offer been made by the head of a great nation. The Note has put back the clock of- peace for months. It is reported that Mr Lansing is resigning, owiirg to President Wilson's repudiation of his statement that America is on the verge of war. Mr Lansing, in answer to a question, hinted that if America entered the war she would turn the scale, whichever

way she sided. Friends of the Allies interpret this as a sign that President Wilson is determined to bring Germany to terms, since it is manifest that American cannot fight against the Allies.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24

Well-informed circles state that Germany will answer President Wilson by giving her peace terms confidentially. This is interpreted as an endeavour to use America as an agent for secret

bargaining, but it is unlikely America will agree.

The White House officially states that the President is rather gratified that London and Berlin both criticise his Note. It shows that it is absolutely neutral. When he. sent it he foresaw that its first reception would be hostile, but ho persists that he has a right to know details of what the nations expect to attain. For instance, would Prance be willing to quit if the Germans evacuated France and Belgium, or does she insist on Alsace and Lorraine and demand an indemnity on top of that? Also, what ,/is meant by what is definitely meant by "crushing militarism"? Despite press leaders' comments, the President has the utmost faith that belligerents will come to his way of thinking. The Now York Times says Germany must now decide whether to propose terms of peace acceptable to the Allies or continue to fight, subject to the probability that in the not distant future the United States will enter the war against Germany. "We know that German victory would involve the Greatest peril to the United States."

The Stale Department announces (hat if the peace negotiations result in ;i league to enforce peace, the United States will no longer follow her historic policy of avoiding entangling alliances, but will probably ally pan-American with certain European Towers. Mr Lansing regrets the British interpretation of the Note. He explains that it docs not mean that President

Wilson believes the belligerents' objects arc the same, but that the belligerents' statesmen say they are the same. AMSTEEDAM, Dec. 24. First reports from Germany indicate that there is great relief through the newspapers supporting Count Bethmann Hollweg. The Frankfurter Zeitung, forther discussing the German terms of peace,, says, "Bulgaria will be the dominant Power in the Balkans, by the incorporation of parts of Serbia, Eoumania, and Macedonia. Eoumania must choose betweenvassalage to the German Powers and conversion to an Austrian province Turkey will be confirmed in her European position. King Constantino will be rewarded by Serbia being reduced to impotence." Dutch opinion generally regards President Wilson's action as being, intentionally or unintentionally, unfriendly to the Entente, especially Britain. The Tclcgraaf describes the Note as a tremendous blunder, and refers to President Wilson's immense tactlessness in seeing no difference between the assassins and the victims. PETEOGEAD, Dec. 24, The Government will reply to Germany's proposals,, rejecting them in the ground of vagueness and insincerity and being unworthy of serious consideration EOME, Dec. 24. Italian newspapers consider that President Wilson's intervention is inopportune and his suggestions impracticable. TOKIO, Dec. 24. The Foreign Minister declares that three must be no peace except on terms whereon the Allies are unanimous. VANCOUVEE, Dc. 24 The Foreign Office, London, states there is no possibility of a reply to the German proposals being despatched immediately, owing to the difficulty of communication. Pc is possible that the answer may not be forwarded for days. LONDON, Dec. 24. Switzerland has presented Notes to the belligerents similar to President Wilson's. Mr Massey, in a speech at Hornchurch, said he hoped the peace proposals would be turned down,, or the soldiers' hardships and sufferings would have gone for nolglit. America ought to be firmly but courteously told that as we carried on the war without her assistance, we would cary it on without it now. The Matin's Zuich correspondent says the Entente's statements and speeches of the Peace Note have provoked a renewed outburst of fury and a unanimous call to the Government for the formidable intensification of the; war against Britain and France. A wireless message says l 3 resident Wilson's Note aroused widespread interest in Germany. On e group of newspapers view it favourably while others. regard it as an attempt to help Britain at a critical juncture. The Volk Zeitung regards the Note as a put up job to enable America who has put money at the disposal of th« Entente to secure good terms for her debtors, and so enable them to -repay her. The Westphalen Gazette considers American has been put up to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. President Wilson evens threatens us with war. Germany has proposed peace, and does not want American 's mediation. PAEIS, December 24. Newspaper comments arc unanimous that President Wilson's Note is a mis- \ take, since it establishes no difference between the aggressors and the aggrssed. The Senate, by 194 to 60, expressed confidence in the Government. The re- : solution was embodied in the same sen- , tence as one addressed to the enemies of France by the Revolutionary Convention in 1793: /' France cannot make peace with enemies occupying her territory." The public are enthusiastic. They interpret this as a reply to Germany and President Wilson.