PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1916, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

WILSON CHAGRINED. AT KKCEPTIOX 01' PEACE NOTE. Amsterdam, Dec. 27. Authoritaiivc circles in Holland re:;ar.! f.ei'many s promptness in replying in 'President Wilson as an indication of the urgency of escaping overwhelmins intoina 1 difliC'ii 11 it's, and securing peace at all en~i; while the military situation is favorable. London, Bcr. 2". A'l-!:i;i's reply to President Wilson's Xote is almost identical with that of iit'rrr.any. New York, Dec. 27. i in- Xew A o;k Times' Washington ■ irnspi.r.dei'.t states that Germany's re■>ly i- most disappointing. Tlio officials regard it as most unsatisfactory and evasive, and that greater frankness was e;c))e.ne;l. The Sun's Washington correspondent savs the reply shocks the Admluistraf::".i. n;;d lhat President Wilson is chagrisod and disappointed. Xew Voik, Dec, 27. The Xew York Times states that the IVuis'.i blockade is doing its work, Pence fier.'.iany must have, and soon; that h the obvious meaning of the surprisingly jjrompt reply. If the peace need is as dire as it seems. Germany will pre=enily make a different proposal. On any other theory the answer might be regarded as insincere, for certainly the United States is responsive to Mr. Wilson.

The World states that Germany's answer completely m-ades the issue. In the light of the reply, it is impossible to believe that there was honest sincerity • purpose at the back of the original peace proposal. The Petrograd correspondent of the World interviewed the Duma President, if. Rodzanko. re the peace Note, who enid that, speaking for the Paissian people, he could say that talk of peace at a time when the Allies are finally prepared to adequately meet Germany only offends. We can begin to talk of peace only when Germany is . to her knees.

A REBUFF TO WILSON. ALLIES" FORMAT, REPLY BEING DRAFTED. London, Dec. 27. American opinion regarding the German reply is that- it is a deliberate rebuff to President Wilson, unless he received confidential information. Meanwhile the Press expresses surprise at the Allies' and British Empire's rejection of' Mr. Wilson's offer. They apologetically explain the phrasing as an academic effort to make the Note completely colorless.

The Xew York Times asserts that the Note was really addressed to Germany, in order to compel a disclosure why she broke the peace, because the continuance of the war threatens to draw in America.

Reuter learns that the Allied reply to Germany is being; drafted at Paris. No action will be taken regarding the American and Swiss Notes until that of Germany is dealt with. The report that Britain has received a Swedish peace Note is erroneous, but it is believed a Note is imminent. JAPAN'S ATTITUDE. Tokio, Dec. 27. Japan notifies her entire adhesion to all the Allies' decisions regarding the German, American, and Swiss Notes. 'AN APPEAL FROM SWEDEN. "(Renter Service.) Washington, Dec. 27. It is officially announced that Sweden has addressed a peace appeal to belligerents and neutrals. GERMAN REPLY CONDEMNED. UNSATISFACTORY AND INSINCERE. STRONG PRESS CRITICISMS. deceived Dec. 23, 12.50 a.m. New York, Dee. 2b.

Newspaper criticism on the German reply is becoming more outspoken, The New York Times says the reply is everywhere considered as unsatisfactory, and ha< tlu- appearance of insincerity. Its diplomatic evasions and subterfuges will not avail, and Germany'.-; unseemly reply will not incline President- Wilson toward further proposals. The New York World affirms unreservedly that 3lr. Lansing's first statement correctly represented the reasons for 'President Wilson's Note. The World adds: '"At the beginning of December the Cabinet realised the danger of a break with Germany, owing to submarining, and President \yilson decided to send a. Note. Thereupon Count BernstoriV, seeing the acuteness of tlie situation, warned Berlin, and the German overtures were made earlier than had been arranged, -hoping thus to influence American opinion,, and ward off a possible break.

BERNSTORFF'S REMARKABLE* STATEMENTReceived Dee. 29, 1.15 'p.m. Washington, Dec. 28. Count Bernstorff says that the Note constitutes acceptanco of everything siiggoHod in President Wilson's Note. MORE GERMAN BLUFF. Received Dee. 20, 12.40 p.m. The Hague, Dec. 28. t'ioi'fflftil agents are discreetly enquiring as to hotel accommodation for peace delegates. A SUGGESTED BRITISH REPLY. Received Dec. 28, 10 p.m. London, Dec. 28. The Daily Telegraph considers that the Allies' reply to the German note must be to the effect that they cannot surrender a potential victory to peace byagreeing to the German proposals, and that there can be no peace unless militarism U hrokeiv

CZAR'S MESSAGE TO HIS FORCES. KXKJJY -WBT HE HX.U.IA' " BIIOKEX. Wellington, Last X'ight. The High Commissioner reports from London under date December 27. 0.55 p.m.:— The Czar issued the following order to the army and navy on December 25: ''Peace at this moment wonitl mean failure to utilise the fruits of the untold trials of my heroic troops and fleet, A\ho dared to think that he who commenced this war should have it in his power to conclude it at any time he liked? Peac" can only come after the enemy lwis been driven from the Russian borders, and then only when finally broken, so as to give 'the' Allies reliable proof of the impossibility of a repetition of a treacherous attack liv the strength of these guarantees I will be bound to secure the fulfilment in .peace of those things I have undertaken." 'the message concluded with an assurance of victory.

T HF POSITION REVIEWED. XOT YET TIME FOR PEACE. RUSSIA'S TASK. UNFULFILLED. Received Dec. 20, 12.30 a.m. London. Bee. 2fi. The CV.ar added that the concentrated efforts of the Government, bad gradually reduced the inequalities between the Russian and German technical resources, while even from the autumn of 101.") the enemy bad been experiencing a difficulty in retaining a single portion of Russian soil, and in the spring and summer of lfilO had suffered a number of severe defeats and had assumed the defensive on the whole front. The enemy's strength was apparently wailing, but the strength of Russia and her gallant allies continued to grou. Germany was aware that the hour of her complete defeat and retribution was near, and offered to enter upon peace negotiations, hoping to complete them before her military talent was exhausted; but the Allies, including almighty England and noble Italy, were so strong that they were able to choose their own time to make peace. That time bad not yet ar-. rived The enemy had not, as he expected, occupied the provinces. Russia's task of regaining Constantinople and the Dardanelles, and creating a free Poland, had not yet been accomplished. To conclude peace row would mean failure to utilise the fruits of Russia's untold trials. Who dared to think that the precipitator was to have it in his power to conclude the war whenever he chooses? "I have no doubt as Lo every faithful son of holy Russia being in the firing line, or of England's industrial increase and wai strength. I am convinced that peace can only be possible when the enemy is finally broken, and can give reliable proof of the impossibility of a repetition of his treacherous attack, togelhcV with a firm assurance to keep his promises. He must be bound by strong guarantees to fulfil peace at the time his obligations to this effect are undertaken. Let us be firm in the crrtainty of victory, and may the All Highest bless our standards, cover them afresh with glory, and send a final peace worthy of your heroism."