PEACE MOVEMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 December 1917, Page 5

PEACE MOVEMENT.

BRITISH PRESS OPINIONS.

"LONDON, December 28,

English newspapers emphasise that the Austro-German offer is nominally addressed to Russia, but is intended for the Allies, as already Russia is out of the war. Austria and Germany are in sore straits. Their own newspapers admit that thousands must die this winter of starvation. Therefore the peace offer is geniune, but it is unsatisfactory. The Allies are thinking about victory, not peace. The enemy accepts restitution, but refuses reparation, and clouds other vital issues. The Daily News says: If the Russians seek the Allied views, the Allies sholud seize the opportunity -for making a candid reasoned statement of their war, aims and peace terms.

The Daily Express says: An authoritative Allied reply might demonstrate to the Germas people that the Allies do not wish their destruction, to hinder their development, or threaten their independence. When they once understand what the real Allied intention is, the people themselves will complete the destruction of militarism. The Daily Chronicle says: Germany by demanding the return of her colonics, doubtless hopes to engage Russia in joint pressure upon England. The German offer is intended for all Allies, especially America, at a time when there are threats and warnings of trenmendous German efforts on the West front, but the offer, is probably only the forerunner of more formal proposals.

AMERICAN OFFICIAL VIEW.

WASHINGTON, December 28

Czernin's offer is regarded as a feeler. The Administration does not modify its attitude, refusing to deal with the German Government.

NEW YORK, December 28. The New York newspapers unanim ously* reject the proposals.

The "New York Times" says: The first condition of peace is that Prussianism must for ever be. renounced. Germany must cease to be an international'peril. The determina r tion is irrevocable. ... , ,

'The New York World says: .Germany makes an offer'hiding behind her vassal and the Petrograd mob. It is tantamount to an acknowledgement of temporary defeat. The New York Herald, refers scathingly to the farce at Brestlitovsk. M. PICHONS FIGHTING SPEECH. PARIS, December 29. M. Pichon,- speaking in the Chamber, said: The Allies only desire to obtain a guarantee of a durable peace by international agreement. We will consider the war won only when the German people.tell us they are ready to accept peace based on justice and reparation for wrongs done. The French Government has refused to negotiate in the terms offered by Germany to Russia. It is impossible to accept such conditions as the restoration of the status quo without indemnity and reparation and the maintenance of the economic regime existing before the war.

THE ALLIES' WAR AIMS. BRITISH PRESS OPINION. Received 9.20. LONDON, Dec 30. British newspapers are generally giving the subject of war aims most serious attention, pointing out that grave responsibility now rests on the Allies' statement. The "Daily Express" says if Germany accepts the principles of restitution, reparation, and security, the Allies can meet Germany in conference The "Daily Telegraph" urge's a joint re-statement of war aims. The stanc taken by an uhprecedentedly large representation of working-class" opinion is a matter of considerable importance. The memorandum means the winning of the war. Admittedly it is Labour's compromise on different bodies of working-class opinion. This definite agreement of all classes or the community is the best possible basis for our future war action, and the only sound guarantee of its success. The "Daily News" urges a clear statement of the Allies* aims. The "Morning Post" considers the Congress is led by a small" clique of internationalists, and not in the true sense delegated by British workmen for the business in hand.