PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1917, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

THE ALLIES' REPLY. OFFER BUT A MANOEUVRE, DECISION TO SFE WAR THROUGH. deceived 31, 11.15 p.m. London, December 30. The joint reply of the Allies to the German peace mate was, to-day communicated by the French Government to the United States Ambassador at Paris. It begins by stigmatising the proposal as illusory, and protests strongly at two material assertions, namely, professing that it has thrown 011 the Allies the responsibility of the war and proclaiming a victory for the Central Powers. Both assertions were untrue. Such claims alone were Mrfihient. to render sterile all attempt at negotiation. The Allies were as strongly iterated to peace to-day a- thev were in 1!) M, but, after Germany's violation of her solemn engagements, Germany's promise was not u snfHcic.nt, foundation c.n which to establish peace. The mer', suggestion, without a statement of terms, that negotiations should be opened, i: not a peace offer. Germany's putting forward of sham proposals, lacking all substance of precision, is less a peace offer than a manoeuvre. It is founded 011 a .alculated misinterpretation of tiie character of the struggle, pa.st, j .vent and future. It fails to consider facts, dates and figures establishing that war was desired, provoked and declared by Germany and Austria. The reply proceeds to recall that it was a German delegate at The Hague Conference who refused all proposals for disarmament; that Austria refused the satisfaction that Serbia offered; that subsequently Britain suggested a conference in France or an international commission; that the C'zar asked the Kaiser to go to arbitration arid that Russia and Austria actually came to an understanding on the eve of the conflict, but to all these efforts Germany gave neither answer nor effect; that lielgimn was invaded by an Empire which guaranteed neutrality and bad the assurance to proclaim that treaties were scraps of paper and that necessity knows no law.

Note 2 proceeds to point out that these sham peace offers rest on the European war map alone, which represi nt only a superficial ami passing phase of the situation and not tlie real strength of belligerents. Peace concluded on these terms could only be to the advantage of the aggressors, who, after imagining that they would rea.eh their goal in two months, discovered after two years that it was never attainable. Regarding the future, the replv declares that the innumerable enemy outrages against belligerents and neutrals demand penalties and reparation guarantees, of which (lerinany avoids any mention. These overtures are really nothing more than a calculated attempt to influence the future counse of the war and to finally impose German ]>ea.c-e and also to create dissension among the Allies and to .stiffen public opinion in Germany and her Allies, who are all severely tried by losses, worn out economically and crushed by the supreme effort imposed upon them. Another object is to deceive and intimidate neutrals and finally to justify a iigw series of crimes in the shape of submarine warfare and deportations, forced labor and forced enlistment of inhabitants against their own countries and the violations of neutrality. Fully conscious of the gravity of the moment, equally conscious of its requirements, the Allies, closely united with one another, and in perfect sympathy with their peoples, refuse to consider a proposal which is empty and insincere. Note 3 and last says that once again the Allies declare that no peace is possible so long as they have not secured reparation for violated rights and liberties, recognition of the principle of nationalities and the free existence of the small States; so long as they have not brought about a settlement calculated to end, once for all, forces wliic-h constituted a perpetual menace, to the nations and afford the only effective guarantees for the future security of the world. The Note concludes by dwelling on the enormity of Germany's offence against Belgium. Received 31, 5.5 p.m.

London, 'December 30. The Central News states that the Allied reply to President Wilson is expected to be ready for presentation at the week-end, but there are now indications of a delay of several days, mainly due to the German answer to President Wilson. It is also probable that the German peace kites suggesting a, return to the status cjuo before the wai regardingl Belgium, France and Russia, is partly responsible for the postponement. New York, December SO. A cable from Paris states that the Allied Note replying to Germany refuses to enter pea-ce negotiations unless Germany will unfold her terms. 'Die Allies resent the German attempt 1o iholil them responsible for tile continuance of the war, and charge Germany with this responsibility Tho Note characterises the peace offer as really a war manoeuvre, and alludes to the impossibility of conducting negotiations with nations treating treaties as "scraps of paper." The American press interprets the peace propaganda, particularly Count Bernsf&rff's moves, as evidence that Germany is determined to give almost anything to achieve peace. The Allies insist upon full reparation, and reaffirm their intention not to separately lay down arms until the aims for which they entered the war are achieved.

London, December 30. The Daily Telegraph states that the Anglo-French Conference was particularly important, in view of the recent developments of neutrals attempting mediation. They will learn •from the Entente's reply, which the conference completely drafted, that their permanent interests can only be secured by Allied victory. The reply shows that- neutrals need not allow themselves to be impressed by the present war ma]). Paris, December 30. The Nationalist Socialist Congress passed a resolution to the effect that the German reply to President Wilson showed that the offer to negotiate only was but cant. A second resolution was to the fifl'eet that the French Socialists declined to resume international Socialist relations until German Socialists had their peace attitude. Amsterdam, December 30. Tlie Dutch tpuicli of the League' of

Neutral Nations lias passed a resolution to the effect that the spirit animating the Central Empires endangers the world's peace and political and economic independence of neutral countries, and therefore the war of liberation must be continued until tlie Allies have gained a complete victory.

SIGNIFICANT PASSAGES. nrciWAXY'S OREAT CRIME A( {AIXST CI VIM SATION. TO BE PUNISHED. Received Jan. 1, 10.30 p.m. London, Jan. 1. The opening sentence of the reply sn.vs: —"The Allied Governments, united for the defence of the freedom of nations, and faithful to tlieir undertaking not to lay down arms except in common accord, have decided to return a joint answer." The reply says, in closing, aftei detailing the sufferings of Belgium: ".Her ar.d Oovernnieut are but one in aim for the re-establishment, of peace and justice, but they only desire peace which will assure the country legitimate reparation, and guarantees and safeguards for the future." ' The ncw.'papn-s applaud the Allies' definite and emphatic refusal to consider peace until able to dictate terms and German;;'.- mine against civilisation is punishcil, a:id all the nations given security for (he future.

The Sun:!.;..' v ':i::-s emphasises tlic tremendous oi the opening sentence, «dils:—"Never before in iii" w< rid's■ history has there l.u ! m'. u a union jf peoples, v,-.dele dili'e ring m race nntl polie y, fa;- a 1 n:r,limn end, and this has only been po-.-iWe because the end transcend,, all selfish or particular in terests. The Xote, in its clear and passionless language, tears to pieces the Huns' hypocritical pretences. The Kaiser is not anxious for peace, not hecau'i he is less ravenous for blood, but because his claws have lost, -heir sharpness. He feels the pangs of hunger, and foresees nothing but defeat and ruin."

FRENCH FEELING UNANIMOUS. Received Jan. 1, S p.ift. Paris, Dec. 31. The newspapers are enthusiastic in their approval of the Entente's reply The Nation says the assertions whereon (ieruiany bases her pacific proposals are entirely false, and it is tlw Allies' duty to repel them. Lo Petit Parisien says the Note is a strong, conclusive, and irrefutable reply. M. Pichon, writing to Le Journal, says the Note does not contain any new information, except establishing the enemies' crimes, Paris, Jan. 1. The Figaro states that the reply shows that Germany's Note was a mere war manoeuvre, whereby she sought to surprise and divide the Allies. The reply's effect will be powerful and universal. The Echo de Paris says that vainly Germany lias sought to hypnotise us with war maps, but the financial and economic: problems are important as territorial considerations. The Journal states that the Entente's refusal to talk peace is the most marked thing in the reply.

KNOCK OUT THE HUNS. MR. MASSEY'S ADVICE. Received Jan. 1, 10 p.m. London, Deo. Hi. ilr. Massey, interviewed by the newspaper Tlie People, said lie had ambitions of an Empire supreme on land and sea, and in the air. We believed that, with propei- statesmanship, it would become a blessing to all nations. He was satisfied that when the Dominions had a voice in Imperial affairs, we would never again be militarily unprepared. To agree to the present peace suggestions would only enable Germany- to strengthen, and cheat, our army and navy of tilie victory to which they were justly entitled. President Wilson's action," though actuated by the best motives, was ill-timed Those anxious to interfere must be given to understand that the Allies will carry on until the Huns were "knocked out.

ENGLISH GUESSES AND GERMAN HINTS. London, Dec. SI. Tho Manchester Guardian believes that Germany's peace formula provides that Germany returns within the Westem frontiers, rebuilds Belgium herself; the Alsace-Lorraine boundary may be altered by a separate Commission; an independent Poland and Lithuania; Germany retires from the Baltic provinces to her old frontiers; Italy keeps Gorizia; an American Commission settles the Balkan boundaries; Germany agrees with the loss of her colonies, except East Africa. Rotterdam, Jan. 1. The peace discussion in the German Press is decreasing, and more hopeless ill tone. The Vorwaerts contains a remarkable hint that France will find Germany's terms very favorable to lier. The French, it, is stated, do not know how good is the. peace they could obtain now. The Vorwaerts hints it might be better to state the terms openly, instead of keeping the secret until the proposed conference.

AMERICAN VIEWS. Washington, Dec. ,<l. The Allied Note is generally regarded as an effective reply, meaning that unless Germany will state her terms, there is not the slightest prospect of pence. The Administration is silent, but correspondents believe that Germany will endeavor to submit terms to President Wilson confidentially. Count Jiernstorlf does not think the Note will be answered by Germany until the Allies have replied to President Wilson, stating the methods they propose. New York, Jan. 1. The World "states that Germany forgets that the map not only shows Europe, but the loss of German colonies, and a ring of steel around the Central Powers also. By the unparalleled isolation of the Central Powers, ■" should realise that if America jpins the Allies, tlieir economic re-

A LOOPHOLE. GERMAN DISAPPOINTMENT. Received Jan. 1, 7.40 p.m. . Washington. Dec. 31. Tlie German Embassy lias unofficially expressed the opinion that the. reply ieaves a. loop-hole for Germany to repl'v «'ibh her specific terms. (United Service.) London, Dec. 31. Scandinavian and Dutch messages describe Berlin's disappointment at the nature of the Allies' reply. The public luul stubbornly hoped for the acceptance oi Germany's proposals, believing that England was starving, and that France and Russia were exhausted. Geneva averts that crouds thronged fhe approaches to the American Embassy when t'he arrival of the reply was known. Berlin, Jan. 1. Mie Liberal Press admits the. prospects of peace are receding. The King of Bavaria, in a New Year message to the troops, said: L -\\ e must obtain peace by force." THH POI'K HOLDS ALOOf Rome. Jan. 1. The 'Pope will not issue a Peace Note, considering peace efforts are premature after the Czar's manifesto. ITALIAN APPROVAL. Received Jan. 1, 11 p.m. Rome, Jan. i. The newspapers give a chorus of approval to the Allies' reply.

The Messagero savs that the destruction of Prussian 'militarism is an essem tial condition of peace.

SCANDINAVIAN AGREEMENT. WITH WILSON'S NO TP.. Received nee. 30, 7 p.m. , r , Copenhng-ji, Dee. 30. The Danish, Swedish an! Norwegian (Governments, after mutual negotiations, have instructed their Ministers to inIform the belligerents of their agreement with President Wilson's Notc"ai:<l express the warmest sympathy with all efforts that will end the sufferings ami the mora] and material looses which are steadily increasing th'-ough the war iMad' id. Dec. 30. Die Premier denies ii ■- statement, emanating from German sources, that .Spain ha; given adhesion to the American and Swiss Notes. THE CZAR'S ORDFR Received Dee. 30, 7 p.m. Petrograd Dee. 30. Street criers read the Czar's order, which was also posted on l.( ardings, dis- [ oiling the effect of the peace agitation. Great crowds were enthusiastic

GOOD ADVISE TO MP- WILSON Washingfi.n, Dec. 2!). Correspondents believe that Germany's peace terms are known to Count Bernstorff, who is invested with extra powers in order to deal with the situation. President Wilson expects a supplementary Note from Mr. Gerard, amplifying Germany's reply. Count Bernstorff hints ihat Germany is ready to secretly inform President Wilson of her terms. The Alies' reply is feverishly awaited. The Tribune says that for two years American foreign policy has been shaped by fear 'if Germany. The Administrat'on believes a break with Germany i 3 inevitable. Therefore it is time President Wilson took counsel of his courage rather than of his feu. We are at '.lie end of the road. This is Mr. Wilson's opportunity.