PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1915, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

THE POPE'S MESSAGE BELLIGERENTS MUST MAKE SACRIFICES. Rome, Dec. C. The Pope, at a secret Consistory, made a stirring appeal for a speedy peace, lie declared that modern nations could not be permitted to conduct a war of extermination; nevertheless a. peace must be just and lasting, and not in favor of any particular group. Received Dec. 7, 7.40 p.m. Rome, Dec. 0. The Pope says: ''Such a peace as we suggested in our original letter is that the Powers should make an exchange of ideas, setting fortli with completion and clearness the belligerents' aspirations, eliminating those that are unjust. It is absolutely necessary for each group to cede some points, renounce others, and make concessions with a good grace, even if they cost some sacrifice, in order not to assume before God and man the enormous responsibility of the terrible slaughter, which is without precedent, and, if continued, may prove the beginning of a decadence from that prosperous civilisation to which Christianity has lifted up the world,"

DOES NOT WANT PEACE. GENERAL VON HINDEXBURG'S VIEWS. Amsterdam, Dec. 0. General von Hindenburg, interviewed, confessed that the Entente did not desire peace. It was not yet sufficiently shattered. They must, therefore, continue to ]\ess them. The German tactical situation was excellent. He believed the Russian reserves, which had now been called up, could not create new armies. He hoped there, would lieno peace till the chief culprits, England, Serbia, and Italy, had been punished as they deserved.

THE GERMAN BLUFF. TREATED WITH SCORN. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Dec. 0. With the exception of the Daily News the newspapers scorn the German peace talk. The Daily Mail suggests that Germany is at her old manoeuvres of bluff, with the object of enervating her enemies, and also attempting to assuage the discontent that exists amongst the German poor. The Times points out that Germany's statement was elaborately pre-arranged. The Vorwaerts, which is subject to complete censorship, was allowed to demand official information, declaring that Germany did not want undue terms, and intended to put down her cards on the table after reaching Constantinople. The idea is to impress the neutral world with Germany's pious readiness for peace, thus aiming at making an opening for President Wilson to use pressure on the Allies and prohibit the export of munitions as a punishment for their refusal to discuss peace propobals. President Wilson will f,o to the country with this foremost in his presidential election policy. A correspondent states that the decision that the Reichstag shall be permitted to discuss the aims of the war is a reluctant concession to the popular clamor to know exactly for what the country is being bled. The outcry has been heard for nine months, chiefly from the Social Democrats, representing the workers. The Government has jiitherto imperiously rejected the demand, and the remotest attempt to discuss the war has been suppressed by punishment.

"FORD'S ARK." PASSENGERS MOSTLY PRESSMEN. TO CALL AT NORWAY FIRST. New York, Dec. C. Mr. Ford's party had a mixed sendoff. Messrs Bryan and Edison gave it a fervent blessing. On the other hand, German workers on the quay farewelled it with cries of "Gott strafe." Twentythree of the party are women, 44 pressmen, and three biographists. The most prominent members are Mr. Bethea, Lieutenant-Governor of South Carolina, and Senator Robson. Mr. Ford told an interviewer: "Some persons have seen fit to be sceptical of the success of my plans. I think they will change their view. All I know is that the belligerents are sick of waiting for a disinterested party to step in and offer himself as a mediator." Copenhagen, Dec. C. •Mr. Ford's ship will make its first calls in Norway, where peace meetings will be permitted, provided they do not interfere with Norwegian interests. Mr. Ford claims that the King of Norwayhas written to him sympathising. Denmark will also allow meetings.

ITEMS FROM THE TIMES. MORE GERMAN PRESS TALK. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received Dec. 7, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 0. The German press is deliberately promoting the 'belief that peace talk is popular in England, and is reporting that Lord Haldane and Mr. Mastcrman are declaring their increasing desire for i definite understanding of the intentions of the Asquith Ministry as to what the war is for, and arc disposed to enter into peace negotiations. Meanwhile Germany is frantically warned against waste, and the people are not to burn candles at Christmas time. The Daily Mail says that the Germans tried peace talk in 1870, finding it cheaper than expending lives and shells. The army fought with the utmost vigor, while the Government talked the loudest and succeeded in deluding the French into slackening their offorts. The Empire should keep its Dyes open, or we will find that the Germans, while trying to fool the enemy , ffita talk, we sot forgetting tl»» war,