PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1917, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

1 rut ALLIES'REPLY. SNEERED AT IN GERMANY. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuters. Received Jan. 2, 8.30 p.m. London, Jan. 1. A wireless message addressed to the German Embassy at Washington states that the general impression In Germany is that the Entente's answer is verbose and a flat refusal to end the war. This is especially regretted for (lie sake of neutrals, who are suffering from the consequences of the war. The message points out that it is remarknbk that the answer mentions the rights of nationalities, despite the fact, Unit the conquest of Constantinople and the Dardanelles is one of the Entente's avowed objects. THE ALLIES' FIRM ATTITUDE. GERMAN DIPLOMATS SURPRISED. RUTHLESS WARFARE URGED. Received Jan. 3, 1.5 a.m. Amsterdam, Jan. 2. Owing to the New Yeai holidays, newspapers have deferred comments on the Allies' reply. Diplomatic circles are surprised at the Entente's arm attitude regarding Belgium, as it \v.\- hitherto believed that the Entente was willing to leave Belgium to- the Kaiser's tender mercies, once their own existence was at- stake. The Moderates, headed by Ilerr vou Bethmann-Hollweg, still believe that while the Entente do not bang the ; door there is a possibility of peace. Pan-Germans demand that Admiral von Tirpitz and General Kalken■hayn be, recalled, and that ruthless warfare be commenced. Maximillian Harden states that an understanding between the people of Europe is possible. He deprecates Germany annexing Belgium, or making anv annexations. 'Future peace should he" guaranteed by the creation of rl European militia.

SPAIN'S REPLJf. GERMAN PRESS ENRAGED. Madrid, January 1. The Government's firm refusal to support President WT.son has enraged the Germanophile press. A PREMATURE PEACE. PROTEST BY AMERICAN CHRISTIANS. New York, January 1. Representative clergymen and Christian laymen have appealed to Christian ■America against a premature peace until t.he wrongs perpetrated by Germany are righted. "Wo Christians," the appeal says, "deem that truth and righteousness must be maintained inviolate, even at the sacrifice of physical life. God, who did not withhold His Son from the Cross, would not look with favor upon a people who put fear of pain and death and dread of suffering and loss, and their comfort and ease, above the holy claims of righteousness, justice, freedom, mercv and truth.

PRESIDENT WILSON'S WILY MOVE. INFLUENCING NEUTRALS. Washington, January 1. The Spanish reply to President Wil : ison describes the Note as uncllicacious. It lias caused considerable comment. Some correspondents say the character of the Note suggests that President Wilson addressed secret communications to neutrals" that if they were contemplating a, peace move the time was opportune, but did not request their cooperation with the United 1 States. The hint was not sent in the form of a Note, but by instructions to American diplomats. The matter has now been dropped. A PESSIMISTIC BISHOP. ••' Sydney, January 2. The Bishop of Bathurst, in a sermon, scathingly commented upon falsehood associated with the conduct of the war. He said that in spite of promises made last year, the new year still finds that the balance of great achievements has again gone to the enemy. We aro building up man power, industrial and money power, but we are approaching the margin where victory becomes impossible. ALLIES' UNSHAKEABLE DETERMINATION. London, January 1. The Times, in a leader, says: "The substance of the Entente Note is instinct with th,e unshakeable determination of the Allies. Neutrals must understand more clearly our intention to devote our whole energies to the war and compel our implacable foes to accept the terms we will, in the interests of humanity, impose on t'hem." KING OF BAY ASIA'S BOMBAST. Amsterdam, January 1. The King of Bavaria, in an Army Order, says:—"lf the enemy refuses the proffered haul we will force peace upon him." THE REPLY APPLAUDED. London, Janaury 1. English newspapers applaud the reply to the German Note. Similar satisfaction is expressed in France and Italy. The Daily News protests against the suggestion o/ the Allies demanding pen-' alties for the crimes committed by tiermany, which would expose the Entente to a charge of vlndictiveness, irom whki: Mr. Asquit'h and Viscount Grey were nn.rafnl tn Wbiw tho AVHfw free.