PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 January 1917, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

INSINCERITY' OF GERMAN ATTITUDE. New Yon:, Jan. 3. The World's '.Paris correspondent lias interviewed the Belgian Minister of State, M. Van de Vyvere, who said 'clandestine communication® irom Belgian occupied territory show that Belgians unitedly support the Government's attitude 011 the German peace proposals. Peace is impossible without the restoration of territory, reparation for damages, and guarantees against a repetition of the violation of treaty rights. Belgians believe that President Wilson acted in a humanitarian spirit •in writing bis Note, meaning to help and not harm the Belgians' cause. Comparison between the Allies' and German views will suffice to convince the. United 'States of the insincerity of Germany's attitude, and the impossibility to discuss Germany's present proposals. Germany's need of peace is now very great, Possibly as it becomes greater it will oxtort more reasonable proposals.

THE LEAKAGE INQUIRV Washington, Jan. h. Mr. Tumulty, testifying before the Congressional Committee, denied that anybody amongst the executive officers had a knowledge of the President's Note until it was published. The President wrote the Note on his private typewriter, and it was confidential between the President and Mr. Lansing. Mr. Lansing' testified, and denied any knowledge of the leak. Mr. T. W. Lawson. author of "Frenzied Finance," gave evidence that a Congressman informed him that a mcirber of the Cabinet speculated on Wall Street on advance information. He refused to give the name. Rome, Jan. 8. The Messagero states that the Pope is sendhjg identical replies to Germany's and America's peace Notes oil Wednesday, narrating his personal efforts to brin" about peace, and declaring that the moment is inopportune for a definite movement.