PEACE TALE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1916, Page 5

PEACE TALE.

AN "EXALTED TASK."

GERMANY AND WAR PREVENTION. New York, Dec. 26. Germany, in her reply, says that President Wilson's Note leaves the choice of road open. Therefore, in the sense of the declaration cabled on December 12, she proposes as the most appropriate road an immediate conference of the belligerents at a neutral meeting place. The German Note adds that works preventing future wars can begin only after the present war has ended, when Germany will bp readv to collaborate with America in this exalted task. [ln his speech, cabled on December 12. the German Chancellor said:—"We are always ready to stretch out our hands for peace. Our strength has not made our ears deaf to our responsibility before God and humanity. Our adversaries have evaded our former declarations concerning our readiness for peace '.nee the outbreak when the Kaiser had (o'niake the gravest decision that has e\er fallen to the lot of a German. He wss compelled to order mobilisation following the Russian mobilisation. The Kaiser's single thought is how peace can bo restored safeguarding Germany after a victorious struggle.''] ■

IMMEDIATE CONFERENCE. GERMANY'S DESIRE. Washington, December 2(1. Germany, replying to President Wilson's Xote, suggests an immediate conference of belligerents. New \ork, December 2G. Germany's reply states that President Wilson's high-minded suggestion of the creation of j basis for the establishment of a lasting peace is being considered bv Germany in the friendly spirit which is expressed in it. Washington, December 16. Officials opine that the reply will not be acceptable to the Allies becfflise it does not state terms, thus evading the fundamental purpose of President Wilson's Note.

CENTRAL POWERS' IDENTICAL NOTE. ■Received 27, 5.5 p.m. New Yotlc, December 28. A Berlin message states that identical Notes have been sent to America by all the Central Powers. GERMANIC INFLUENCE. •Petrograd, December 'O. The Novoe Vremva suggest that German influences at Washington prompted ,the Note. RESOLUTION OF FRENCH SENATE. Paris, December 2C. Thp Senate passed a resolution that France cannot consider proposals while her enemies occupy French territory, and that the war must be concluded victoriously. A SIGNIFICANT OMISSION. Londoh, Dec. 2". The Morning Post's Rome correspondent states that the Pope, replying to the Cardinals' Christmas greeting, did nab refer to President Wilson's Note. The remarkable omission is widely commented upon. The Pope restricted himsell to generalities—the war's horrors and peace's blessings. 'A NOTE FROM SWEDEN Received Dec. 27, 7.30 p.m. London Dec. 27. It is understood that the Swedish peace Note has been presented to Great Britain. WILSON PLAYS THE GERMAN GAME. (Times Service.)' Tiie Times correspondent at Washington authoritatively states that 'President Wilson defes not intend to play the German game, but will remain abso. lutely neutral. The London Times says-, the correspondent's explanation does not make the Note more intelligible or acceptable. President Wilson has undoubtedly played the German game, and the question is, Why!