CZECH LEADERS SENTENCED

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 24 January 1917, Page 5

CZECH LEADERS SENTENCED

SYMPATHY WITH RUSSIA. ZURICH, Jan. 22. Judgment has boon pronounced in Vienna sentencing Dr Kramurz and other Czech leaders to penal servitude. The trial reveals the extent of (lie Bohemian Czech opposition to the war and sympathy with Russia. The judgment holds that Dr Kramarz and his friends were responsible for. the following acts. —Circulation of proRussian proclamations, refusal of the Bohemian Diet to adope a resolution of Austrian loyalty, disinclination to hand over metals required for the army, frequent Czech surrenderings to the Russians, riots by Czech troops, and other acts undermining discipline and favouring Russia,

A" ju.-a.Ojli O 0-U-iliK>. Ivl K. WILSON’S IDEALS. THE ONLY LAS LIN vx PEACE. WASHINGTON, Jau 22. Continuing his peace iwiu t-s»o to the Senate Mr. Wilson declared; “it is net necessary that there should he any entangling alliances in the concert or hie Powers tor a settlement guarantee ing that peace and justice tnroughoui the world which cannot long be postponed. But the war must be first ended. The way in which the war is ended will make a great difference to the United States, statesmen of honor the groups of nations now arrayed against one another have said that it i. as no part of the purpose they haa m mind to crush their antagonists. But the implication of these assurances may not be equally clear to ad. and it may not be the same on both sides of the water what they imply. First of all it implies that Tt must be a peace without victory. It is not pleasant to say this. I beg 1 may he permitted to put my own interpretation upon it, and that it may he understood that no other interpretation was in my thought. I am seeking only to face realities, and to face them without soft concealments. Victory worn mean a peace forced upon the loser, and a victors’ terms imposed upon the vanquished. It would be accepted in humiliation, under duress, at an intolerable sacrifice, and would leave a sting of resentment and of bitter mem ory, upon which the terms of peace would rest, but only as upon quicksand. Only a peace as between equals can last and only a peace the prim., pal of which is equality and common participation in common benefit, calast.

Mr. Wilson added that an essential condition of future peace was a unite independent and autonomous PolanMr. Wilson’s appearance in the Sen ate in person caused a tremendous sensation. The news did not materially affect the Stock Exchange. Official? and Congressmen are disinclined tc comment yet, but opinion is divides as to the wisdom of so far out] in in ondiiions. Some consider the speech justified in view of Balfour’s note. Others consider the utterance as premature. There is contusion of opinion whether “a united independent and autonomous Poland” includes a RussoGerman and Austrian Poland. It is considered that the phrase “Must be peace without victory” is likely to be resented by the Allies. Senator’s opinions of the speech- vary from thinking it ■ the “Noblest utterance,” and regarding- it as a “War statement” requiring much reflection. There is speculation whether endorsement of tae enunciation that all nations have a right to posess access to the sea intans too neutralisation of Constantinople and the Dardanelles, and whether this will satisfy Russia. WILSON’S SPEECH DEPLORED. A REBUFF TO THE ALLIES. Received {>.3. NEW YORK, Jan. 23. The "New York Sun’s” Washington correspondent states that President Wilson’s stand against a decisive victory is regarded as a rebuff to the Allies. Sir Cecil Springrice will not comment. The German Embassy is delighted. The "Now York Tribune" in an editorial, deplores the tone and substance of the speech, which represents President Wilson at his worst, who, after being rebuffed in his role as mediator blossoms forth into the role of peace dictator. LONDON PRESS OPINION. Received 10.10. LONDON, Jan. 23. Newspapers generally pay tributes to President Wilson ’s highmindedness and lofty idealism, and state that the address deserves respectful consideration. Criticism is chiefly directed to the phrases “peace without victory" and "freedom of the seas." The "Daily Chronicle" considers it difficult to harmonise President Wilson's imposing programme with realities. A world concert is impossible without good faith. Germany’s present statesmen arc untrustworthy. Freedom of the seas is desirable in. peace time, or as pari of a world concert securing pence, but not if land powers have the free use of military weapons. The Allies must have victory for future security. The "Morning Post" states that freedom, honour and security arc higher ideals than peace. Permanent peace is only obtainable by defeating Germany. If Wilson wants peace, securing liberty, he should help the Allies to ter-, initiate the war. or otherwise let the Allies secure it in the only possible way by defeating their enemies. Other journals emphasise the Allies’ determination to prevent a drawn war; militarism must be defeated. Some criticism is levelled at Wilson’s aloofness from the war’s realities, ,

SCATHING CRITICISM. ROOSEVELT’S OPINION. NEW YORK, .Tan 23. Tire New York “Times” says: By one stroke tlie President removes many ob- , stack's to peace guaranteed by the world. The proposal of the universal adoption of the Monroe Doctrine would mean a moral transformation. Will the Empires be content to stand still in their tracks? The proposal would bestow immense benefits to mankind. The allusion to pieacc without victory is a matter of the extremcst delicacy. 1 President Wilson, unconsciously or in- ' tcntionally, records an eloquent protest against militarism. Thj President’s ideas of the limitation of armaments j would leave no national maritime sn--1 prcmacy. I Mr Roosevelt says it is redici.J jus tor I President Wilson to talk of world peace when h. is uimbh, to eufoii-e peace in Mexico. It is insincere for Idm ' to talk of rightcnousnojs wncn America is not prepared to take emphatic action against Germany’s hideous outrages in Belgium. The New York “Sun” says: President Wilson's administrative inefficiency failed to secure in Mexico, yet he mounts a rostrum where it is not his busincs to be and lectures the world on peace terms in Europe. President Wilson should have a more modest view of his responsibilities to mankind. The speech may well excite amazement and irritation mingled with amusement. The New York “Herald’’ says: If peace without victory means anything, it means that President Wilson favours peace made by Prussia. The Gcrman-Amcrican press praises the speech. Republican leaders say the speech was ill-timed and utterly impossible of accomplishment. , GERMANY’S HOLY ANGER. LONDON, Jan. 22. The German public bodies have responded to the Kaiser’s appeal, made ‘ on the 13th inst., with fervid protestations of loyalty. They are demanding unlimited frightfillness against Great Britain. The Kaiser has replied that Germany will continue to wage a dc.Tensive war. She is filled with determination and holy anger because her peace efforts were repulsed. The German princes will stand strongly together, with God’s help, for protection against the furious attacks of their blinded enemies.