PEACE OVERTURES.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 16 January 1917, Page 5

PEACE OVERTURES.

WILSON’S NOTE. BELGIUM’S KELLY. LONDON, Jan. 15. The Press Bureau has issued Belgium’s reply to President "Wilson’s note. It says: The President seems to believe that the statesmen in the two opposing camps are pursuing the same ends in the war. The example of Belgium unhappily shows that this is not so. The barbarous manner in which Germany is treating Belgium does not permit the supposition that Germany in the future will guarantee the rights of weak peoples, which she aad not ceased to trample underfoot. Since war was unchained by her she commenced to desolate Europe. Belgium notes with pleasure and confidence that the United States is.anxious to co-operate in measures to be taken after peace to protect and guarantee small nations against violence and oppression. The note complains that the Germans have ruined Belgian industries, destroyed entire towns, killed and imprisoned a considerable number of the inhabitants, sent to servitude thousands of Belgian workers. Belgium had been forced to fight or submit with shame. She passionately desires to end the unprecedented suffering of the people, but can only accept peace which will ensure equitable reparations, securities and guarantees for the future.

COLONEL REPINGiON’S OPINION. THE SWORD ALONE MOST DECIDE. LONDON, Jan 15. Colonel Repington declares that , there is necessity for securing sixty new divisions on the West front. The belligerents are still far apart in then I views on the basis of conditions of peace. Therefore the sword alone must decide. The number of French, British and Belgian divisions are insufficient for a decisive offensive. Supposing we had two million and the French three million, we must debit non-fighters. Before the war we supposed a three to one superiority not too great for the attacker. We have nothing like this superiority. Victory depends on obtaining the numbers. Frequently the Nelsonian maxim of “numbers annihilate” has been shown to be correct. Fresh divisions are obtainable by sending west those dispersed elsewhere, copying the German system of expanding the total of divisions, and creating a new Home division and Oversea divisions. There has been remissness in the creation of new divisions and a departure from the conception of Lord Kitchener, who proposed to continue the ceaseless development ,of the forces until the enemies were exhausted. Colonel Repington urges the immediate passage of a Civil Mobilisation Bill, based on the German law. Even then it would be August before the men are ready. THE KAISER TO HOLLWEG.

WILHELM’S CONSCIENCE DEVEL- , OPED. Received 10.40. AMSTERDAM, Jan 15. The Nord Deutsche Allegemeine Zeitung states the Kaiser’s letter to Hollweg on October 31 proves an honest desire for peace. He wrote it to clear the enemies’ peoples caught by the Avar psychosis, supported by lies and deceit. They do not possess a man able or firm enough to speak to liberate the world in making peace proposals. It requires a ruler Avith a conscience, realising he is responsible toAvards God. “With a heart noAv strengthened for my own and hostile peoples, I, as a ruler,” Avrote the Kaiser, “am inspired by a desire to deliver the Avorld from its sufferings, unmindful of a possibly Avroug interpretation. I’ve courage to do it, and Avill venture, relying upon God.” The King of Bavaria sent a despatch to the Kaiser, wherein he declares the indignation Avhich has been aroused in the Kaiser’s heart by the enemy’s arrogant reply to the Peace Note is echoed in Bavarian breast.