PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1917, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

GERMANY'S REPLY. OLD MOTIONS REPEATED. /Amsterdanv-Sept, -■?*;:., ; Fuller details of Germany's reply! 'tor the Pope's Note show that the reply claims that for 20 years the 'Kaiser had proved him desire to preserve peace. .Germany did not .start the war, which throughout was''waged as a war of defence, and Germany and her Allies were the first to show a disposition to terminate hostilities. The German nation stood firm behind the Emperor, anxious to participate peacefully in the economic competition of all nations. The Government had carefully exam> ined the proposals and discussed tlieui with representatives of the people and welcomed the condition that the moral force of justice should replace might of arms. From this reform there would result a. system of international arbitraI lion and the gradual reduction of arnmI incuts. Germany entirely agrees with the suggestion for stipulations and guarantees for the simultaneous limitation of armaments with the true liberty of all peoples for the free use of the seas. These idoaU should form the basis of international relations in future. Then will he left the task of solving international disputes in accordance with the new spirit of the times. The Gorman Government will therefore support every proposal eompatible with the vital interests of the German Empire and people. Geographically the situation makes_ Germany dependent on peaceful communication with her neighbors and countries overseas, so no nation has more reason than Germany to desire the replacement of the present general hatred by a spirit of reconciliation. Then it will not be difficult to settle the out- , standing matters in dispute. Germany hopes her enemies will find a suitable basis in the Papal proposals for preparing peace on condition they are in agreement with the spirit of justice and the situation of Europe.

GERMAN REPLY SATIRISED. PERTINENT PRESS COMMENTS. New York, Sept. 23. The New York Sun satirises Germany's, reply, re-writing it "as Wilhclm wou.'d if deprived of the ability of lying." Tlie New York World says that the United States has already answered by publishing details of German plots. Replies dp not change the situation. The Tribune gays that the devil quotes Holy Writ when it suits his purpose and the Kaiser has cynically misjudged the civilised world's capacity for righteous indignation. The Herald says that tlierepl ; cs are scraps ot paper, valueless «> anyone but the Junkerman. The unconditional surrender Note must come.

The Tribune's Washington correspondent says there will be no further discussion of peace unless, it is forced by a fresh appeal from the' Pope. Officials comment on the apparent sincerity of the Austrian reply. The New Yark World's Stockholm correspondent reports that Herr Maximilian Harden, in a speech, in Berlin, said lie wad convinced that peace can be had this year if Germany declares she will not subjugate Belgium in any form.

The New York Herald delares that there is atill a directing genius of German propaganda in the 'United States, with unlimited funds.

REPLIES FOR HOME CONSUMPTION. CENTRAL POWERS GUIDING THE POPE. A NEW NOTE CONTEMPLATED. Rome, Sept. 23. Unofficial reports indicate that the Vatican has received private communications from Vienna and Berlin for the Pope's per°nnal guidance. On these greatly depend any future Pontifical peace action. j Vatican circles believe that the replies are, to a treat extent, framed particularly for home consumption. The Pope contemplates a new Note to i the belligerents after the Allies' replies have been received!, sayjhig that the questions on which all agree represent the foundation of the new order of worldly things and the new era of peace for humanity. Secondary problems can easily be adjusted through goodwill and frienflly discussion. Monsignor Gasparri favors the suppression of conscription and a boycott against the nation attempting to restoro it. TURKEY AND (BULGARIA'S VIEWS. Received Sept. -24, 7.45 p.m. Copenhagen, 'Sept. 23. The Tagbblatt's Vienna correspondent states that Turkey's and Bulgaria's replies to the Pops were delivered yesterday. Turkey demands that her territory should be unviolated. Bulgaria demands the regulation of frontiers. VIEWS OF FRENCH PRESS. ■ Paris, Sept. 23. French newspapers regard the general tenor of the replies to the-iPopc as devoid of sense. They contain no distinct or concrete indication of any sort. ENEMY REPLY VAGUE AND HYi OCRITICAL. London, Sept. 23. LiHlo importance is attached in official circles to the reply of the Central Powers to tho Pope. The newspapers describe it as vague and hypocritical, and leaving the situation unaltered The most notable feature is the absence of reference to the restoration of and restitution to invaded countries.