PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1916, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

REFUSAL OF GERMAN OFFER,

BY ALL ENTENTE CAPITALS. London, T)<v. 15. Semi-official statements from all the capitals indicate refusal of the German ptaco offer. .Fhe Spectator says the peace proposal is a good specimen of Teutonic impudence, If the Germans really expected tc win they would make no suggestion respecting 1 peace. Probably they aie preparing new schemes of frightii'iness for use if the Allies refuse to r.t.aritiate. e already know that the submarine warfare is being pushed without limitation. Holland is forbidden to navigate ships to Dutch ports without a German escort. Germany also threatens 'o throw bombs charged with infective germs "broadcast over Great Britain in order to complete the work of famine. A crowded city meeting carried a resolution, moved by Lord Bcresford, demanding the elimination of all trace of influence in Great Britain, the immediate closing of all enemy bank? ;>i.d business houses, carrying out the resolution of the Paris Conference, 'and appealing to the people of the Empire to resist a premature peace.

New York, Deo. l,j. Stocks continue to decline from three ti. ten points. There wore wild disorders following rumors that peace was more possible, and the market was slightly stronger at the close.

At Chicago wheat slumped owing to peace rumors. December was ouotcd at 15(1 to 142} cents, and May at IG3 to 153-J cents.

The Tokio correspondent of the New Ycrk Herald learns that Japan will not consider peace on the before the war basis. Japan will stand .staunchly by her Allies until Prussian militarism is overthrown. Japanese statesmen will not consent to the restoration of KaioC'hau and the islands of the Pacific. She may approve the return of KaioChau to China, but is determined to drive out the German menace from Asia. The Hague. Dee. la.

The War Minister stated that it was necessary to increase the output of munitions daily, owing to the danger of Holland being involved in tli.? war. •Johannesburg. Dec. 15.

Newspapers denounce the peaei offer as a clever attempt to disunite th" Allies. Paris, Dec. 15.

A famous political economist points out that the fact that German exchanges oil New York and Amsterdam improved or. the mere possibility of pence negotiations dearly shows that neutral financiers do not believe in a victory for Germany, upon which Herr Htlfferich depends for the payment of Germany's debt.

MR. HENDERSON'S VIEWS. LOYALTY TO ALLIES ESSENTIALS OF ACCEPTABLE TERMS. Australian Cable Association. Received Dec. 17, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 10. Mr. Arthur Henderson, speaking in London, said the Government did not yet know anything of the text of the German proposals. Germany's motives remained a matter for speculation. Judging by recent events they probably will not err 011 the side of magnanimity, lie added that Britain, from her love of po(ice, was anxious to appreciate the real meitning of the proposals. If any were put forward they would br examined with the greatest care. They must remember that Germany desired pence of Britain in August, 1(114. but on conditions fatal to our honor and loyalty. The same spirit of loyalty to our brave and lryal Allies would determine the spirit wherewith we would examine the fresh proposals, which must be scrutinised in the light of our obligation not to conclude a separate peace. We must renumber the greater sacrifices of France. Belgium, Serbia, and Poland. Any peace must be just and permanent, with the supreme condition that it const ryes tire principles wherefor we entered the war. There must not only be reparation for tht past and security for tin: fjiture, but guarantees for the duration oi"peaee. Germany might have such a peace if she furnished proof of her good intentions, but if 11k; overtures were merely a pretence, if they seek an armistice for breathing space in order to lay fresh plans of aggression, the people of these islands, however tempted, must set. their faces like steel against the proposals. The Solicitor-General, speaking at Leicester, said the 'Government would consider the proposals to ncgoi iate for peace, subject to two conditions-firstly, our nims and ideals in connection with our participation in the war must remain unchanged; secondly, we must act concertedly with our allies.

DUMA AGAINST PEACE. GERMANY'S POWER MUST BE BROKEN. Received Dec. 17, 5.5 p.ifi. Petrograd, Dec. 16. The Duma unanimously resolved against entering into any peace negotiations whatever at the present time. The anti-peace resolution adopted by tiie Duma, expresses the belief that the peace proposals are a new proof of the ei'tmy weakening, and refers to the hypocritical attempt to shift the responsibility for the war to others. It declares that a premature peace would not only be short, but would raise a danger of a new and bloody war. A real ■peace is only possible after the enemy's military power has been decisively broken and Germany definitely renounces her aspirations, which rendered her blameable for the present struggle.

MR. MASSEY'S VIEWS. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuters. Received Dec. 17, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 16. Mr. Massey, speaking at the Hotel Cecil, said that whethei the proposals were serious or not. peace negotiations should not be entered into until the Germans were driven beyond the Rhine I and expelled from the occupied territory. J

RUSSIA ALIVE TO GERMAN DECEIT.

STATEMENT BY FOREIGN MINISTER. REAI. MEANING OF PROPOSALS. Australian Cable Association. Received Dec. 17, 5.5 p.m. Petrograd, Doc Ifi. In the Duma, the Foreign Minister said that Germany's offer did not surprise the Allies. Germany h:ul previously put out feelers for a separate pence. Now, recognising her powerlesxness to lireak the unshakeable alliances, she ollieially proposed negotiations. The real meaning was an attempt to profit at the last moment from her fleeting territorial eonquests before her domestic weakness was revealed. Russia indignantly repudiated the mere idea of suspending the struggle arainst ail enemy whose f dimes were shaken but not broken, seeking breathing space by her deceitful offer. The inflexible decision of Russia was in complete agreement with the Allies. No subterfuge would prevent their carrying on the war till the enemy was crushed.

THE DELUDED GERMANS, BELIEVE PEACE WITHIN GRASP. Dee. 15. Field-Marshal Hindenburg telegraphed ti> Herr von Bethmann-Hollwcg congratulating him on his speech, which ho had read with deep emotion and great satisfaction as a great moral demonstration of the strength of Germany.

"We soldiers," said the old commander, "know there is no higher or holier duty thar prosecuting victory with the ut. r.-.ost energy, living and dying for the Kaiser and the Fatherland." Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg replied: "The deed of the army 011 land and water have cleared the way tor the magnanimous decision of the Kaiser and his Allies. If our enemies are not pleased to terminate the war to-day our soldiers will fight to secure for the Fatherland a strong and lasting peace." Count Ivarolys' party in the Hungarian Parliament are demanding the terms of the peace offer. There are great rejoicings among the German soldiers at various Belgian frontier places, as they believe that peace is imminent. Their behaviour everywhere is that of a victorious avrnv.

The Rotterdam correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that an unexpected sequel to the \ieaee proposals is a great crop of extravagant and optimistic rumors in Germany, culminating in the widely-believed fable that the belligerents have begun to discuss term? The rumors spread like wildlife, necessitating inspired cautions in tin; newspapers warning people that nothing had happened beyond what was officially announced.

Washington reports that it is minted in German official circles that the limitation of al*maments is an item in the j'eace programme.

WHAT GERMAN" CONSERVATIVES EXPECT. Received Dec. 17, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 16. A wireless uesiiipe states that the Conservatives in the Rcieh..tag, in caucus, passed a resolution that' peace negotiations mist not be eonciiirtcd on tlic lines of peace at any prioe. The Conservatives firmly expect the advantages gained with the blood and brains of the troops to be the basis o' a peace guaranteeing the military, economic, and fir.antial future of Germany. THE KAISER'S DRAMATIC ORATION. Received Deo. 17, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, ]>c. 10. The Kaiser, when reviewing tioopf at Mulliausen, said: "I feel we art absolute conquerors. We have offered t« negotiate with the enemy. All rests with you. ff fighting must continue, if the enemy Klil! thinks he has not had enough, then T know——" The Kaiser concluded with a military gesture, calling forth a, grim 'smile on the men's faces. Speaking to the officers, the Kniser reaffirmed his faith in militarism II is believed that Germany £ terms have been sent to President Wison.

A GERMAN THREAT. Received Dee. 17, 5.5 p.m. Washington, Dec. l(i. According to the German Embassy, peace will be worthless unless it renders pre-war armaments unnecessary. The State Department hears that Germany intends to put into commission a new" fleet of powerful submarines "n January 1. and savagely resume her undcr-water warfare, unless the Allies open negotiations for peace.

DISCREPANCIES IN REPORTS, Received Dec. 17, s.f> p.m. London, Die. 16. The German press reports oi Herr von Bethmann-Holhveg's speech show important discrepancies. In the wireless propaganda reports he indicates that Oc-rmany is not proposing terms, but would present them in the - event of negotiations. Other passages are doctored to remove the gloominess of the speech. LIMITATION OK ARMAMENTS. Received Dee. 10, 5 p.m. Washington, Dee. 15. The German Embassy has authorised a statement that it is certain one of the most important subjects for discussion at the peace conference wii l be the universal'limitation of armaments.

THE CONFERENCE TRAP. -OUNT BERNSTOR'FF'S STATEMENT. Received Dec. 17, 11.55 p.m. Washington, Dec. 17. Count Bernstorff has interviewed Mr. Lansing. Count Bernstorff stated that if the belligerents will agree to meet in conference, Germany will submit definite oeace terms.