RUSSIA'S REPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1916, Page 5

RUSSIA'S REPLY.

ASTUTE AUSTRIAN MOVfi London, December ?.S.' The Horning Post's Petrograd correspondent says that Russia's reply to Germany has been formulated in agreement with the Allies. It is understood in iPetrograd that the reply substantially informs Germany that Iter only chance of peace is unconditional surren'er. The Daily News' Geneva correspondent says that a party of Austrian diplomatists has arrived there. It is believed that Austria, though unwilling :o desert Germany, is prepared to negotiate direct with England and France. Her idea is that as Austria, England and France have not yet met in actual hostilities they might discus?, evacuation questions at a full conference of belligerents, preferably sat Geneva.

Amsterdam, December -?8. The VosaUche Zeitimg says: "We believe the question of the / Dardanelles >an be solved satisfactorily for Russia ■•■ it-bout continuing flghthg."' Germany anil Austria have replied to 'iwitzo-rland i' l similar terms to America.

Turkey's reply to the American Note similar to that of the Central Powers. Pctrograd, December 2H. Tn consequence of the receipt of the .icace Nfctes the subscriptions to the war loan are increasing.

LETTING. THE CAT OCT OF THE BAG. - New Yorl;, December 48. The New York World emotes :i recent article written in the lieriiner T.okal Anzftser as follows: —"\Ye began the war a year too soon. When we have secured a Geinhnn pe:i..e, we must begin immediately our reorganisation on a. broader and tinner basis. We must efully calculate, in advance, what the country .lacks in raw material and secure immense -reserves to remain unused until some day in the future. \t e must establUh a definite commercial understanding with countries outside Europe to prevent munition supplies, and, finally, when the next war comes it must'not be a year too soon." MODIFIED GERMAN TERMS. .vcw York, December 1 The New York World's Washington correspondent understand? that tiermany is prepared to abandon the demand for the independence of Poland and Lithuania, to agree to evacuate Russia, Belgium ami prance, to restore and indemnify Belgium, and' to admit that the invasion was illegal, but a:: unavoidable military . necessity. Germany demands the territorial integrity of Germany's allies and the restoration ot German colonics.

ALLIES' REPLY NOT READY. London, December 2?. The Daily Telegraph savs the Allies' reply to the German Note lias been j drawn up as originally drafted in Paris.: All the Allies have approved of it, but there will be a few days' delay owing to alterations. It is expected that it will shortly be sent to the Central Powers, via President Wilson. it is a lengthy Note and sets out in plain words wiiy the Allies are fighting. It points out that a permanent termination of Germany's regime of oppression is only possible by guarantees different from the past papei guaranetes. A second Note, replying to President Wilson's proposals, is in the course of preparation. It will emphasise the importance of the destruction of the economic ascendency which Germany sought to force upon .Europe, America and the world. SOCIALISTS' VIEWS Paris, December 28. The Socialist Congress passed a resolution that Germany's Note does not tonstitute a genuine peace proposal and doeS not contain terms. The Congress asks the Allies to reply that they lie-, sived peace. They accepted the w ai courageously, but were ready for peace provided there was reparation, an ending to the injustices of militarism, and tlie establishment of a league of free nations, AMERICA'S EXPLANATORY NOTE. • ' London, December 23 The Manchester Guardian declares that the second American Note received in London is explanatory of the first, but does not alter the Allies' attitude. ANOTHER. CUNNING PROPOSAL. Received Dee. 20, 8.50 p.m. Washington.. Doe. The German -Embassy has- inspired the statement thatVtho Entente, considered what guarantees' for the ftilmee were ossehvml there feight be snmo declaration.- of the 'priniipJe whereto -they vcrft.-

ALL STEPS PREMATURE. 6WEDEX GROWS WISE. Received Dec. 29, 5.5 p.m. Home, Dec. 28. The Swedish Legation denies Sweden's adhesion to the American and Swiss Peace Motes, and adds that, after the Entente Ministers' speeches and the Czar's manifesto, all steps towards a conference wei'e premature. PREVENTION OF FUTURE WARS. AI'STRO-GERMAN UNCTION. Received Do.? :29, 11 p.m. Washington, Dec. 29.

The text of tho Austrian replj (o President Wilson's Note differs slightly from tho reply originally issued. The text embodies the following paragraph: "The Austrian Government concurs in tho opinion of the President that on'y after the termination of the present wqr will it be possible to undertake the great and desirable work ,)f prevention of further wars. At the appropriate time Austria will be ready to co-operite for the realisation of this noble aixn " The German text contains the following paragraph: "It is the view of the Imperial Government that the great work of the prevention of future wars can ba taken up only lifter ending tae present conflict of exhaustion." ( AMERICA AND SUBMARININGS. Received Dec. 30, 1.40 a.m. * Washington, Dec. -29. The peace negotiations an followed with j,ha closest interest. .President Wilson has daily consultations with Mr. Lansing. Officials assert that the complete failure of the negotiations will l;e followed by a .most serious crisis with Germany on .lie submarine issue. AN UNWELCOME MISSIONARY. Received Dec. 21), 11.,'i0 p.m. Rome, Dec. 29. M. Caillaiix,recently visited Rome, and it ,is believed he came as a peace missionary, stating that Germany was prepared to treat France liberally., and gran' Italy almost tho whole of her ambitions at Austria's expense, Germany recouping her own war expense? in the Er.st and the Balkans. M. Caillatix met with several rebuffs, including one from the Vatican-, where he failed'to obtain a Papal audience. It is reported that the Italian Government were on the point of requesting M. Cailhlux to depart, but he hail already started. It is supposed that M. Cail'aux represents certain international 'Jnanciers.