PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1915, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

THE POPE'S LETTER. COMMENT BY SWISS PRESIDENT. Received August 9, 2.30 p.m. Zurich, August 8. M. Motta, the Swiss President, commenting on the Pope's letter, said the Pope can do what no other cau bv ap pealing to something higher than mere self-interests. M. Motta appreciates the Pope's phraae, "Bleessed be he who takes the first step to lead us bad; to peace." RUSSIAN REJECTION. OF KAISER'S OLIVE BRANCH. Petrograd, August S. The Bourse Gazette learns from an unimpeachable source that the Kaiser made a peace offer to Russia last week through the King of Denmark. Russia replied that there could be no question of peace at present.

THE KAISER'S BAIT. WHEN PLANS MISCARRIED. Received August 9, C p.m. London, August 8. The Daily Telegraph's Petrograd correspondent says that peace overtures nre not improbable. Germany failfd io carry out her original programme to crush France, and is now straining to eliminate Russia from her antagonist*. She hopes that a momentous assault on both flanks of the Polish salient will cut oIT and destroy the Russian armies within it, reducing Russia to impotence. These calculations are based oil the idea that the Russians will cling desperately to the Warsaw and Vistula fortresses, allowing themselves to be caught in a trap. The Germans will find Warsaw an embarrassing luxury, but it is natural, under the circumstances, that the Kaiser will dangle temptation before the Russians, and doubtless he considers he has offered them magnanimous terms. THE ALLIES' CONSTANCY. DECISIVE BATTLE NOT YET. Received August 0, 7.30 p.m. London, August !). The Daily Telegraph's correspondent continues: —This emphatic rejection of the offer is clinching proof of the steadfastness anil constancy of the gallant Allies, who will not allow themselves to he pinned down to a decisive battle until their equipment is complete. The Germans are leaving the railways and are compelled to carry supplies to the devastated country who"e few roads are the worst in Europe. They ure frantically making efforts to secure part of the expected booty vigorously attacking Kovno and Ossowicz, and are also endeavoring to cut the rear line to Novo (Jeorgievsk. They are also ceaselessly pushing on between the Vistula and the Rug. Although their main plan has failed, it is a:t opjn question whether they will' or will not succeed in giving a severe blow to some portion of the Russian force;. The meagre r.ews avaiuhie suggest- that 11.■' re-grouping of t!:.\ the Russians will hi: eli'ceUd without furious molo-tatiun.