PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1917, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

. GERMAN CHANCELLOR'S STATEMENT. MAIN QUESTION AVOIDED, PARADE OP GERMAN SOLIDARITY. .Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 29. Br. Michaelis (the Chancellor), in. a speech in the Reichstag, declared that Germany's relations with neutrals were satisfactory. Germany would continue to participate in the provisioning of neutrals. He claimed that it was oniy liope of dissension in Germany that caused British statesmen to adhere to their impossible war aims. Germany awaited with confidence and calm the military exertions of the United States. Germany's reply to the Papal note, he said, obviously embarrassed the majority of Germany's enemic3. He must at present decline to specify Germany's war aims. He declared that President Wilson's note to the Pope was an attempt to sow dissension between the people and the Government of Germany, but it had the opposite effect It had ■bound all the Germans' more firmly in the resolve to oppose foreign interference. A DIFFERENT VERSION. GERMANY'S HANDS FREE. Reuter Service. Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m. Copenhagen, Sept. 29. In the Reichstag, Dr. Michaelis further stated that the attitudi ax" the German Government regarding its war aims was clearly expressed in his reply to the Papal note. He declared tfet the statement that Germany had already communicated with an enemy Govern,men and had in advance renounced the occupied territory was untrue. Germany had free hand 3 for eventual peace negoiSf ations. This also referred to Belgium.

AUSTRIA READY FOR PEACE, PROPOSALS OUTLINED. A. and N.Z. Cable Association. By Wireless.—Admiralty Press. Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m.

Amsterdam, Sept. 23. The Tyd's correspondent at Vienna, who arrived at Amsterdam to-day, declares that before leaving Austria he conversed with important politicians, who authorised him te make the following statement: "Austria is ready for an honorable peace, and recognises the favorable character of the enemies she is fighting, and if they desire it, is ready to make sacrifices for the better settlement of European questions. Germany is absolutely ready to liand over Belgium to the Belgians, if Belgium unties herself from the Entente. Austria am) Germany are ready to discuss the Tyrol and Alsace, with a view to finding a solution satisfactory to all concerned!" VATICAN DENIAL AS TO BELGIUM Reuter Service. Received Sept. 30, 5.5 p.m. Rome, Sept. ■ 25). The Vatican also denies that it has received a separate German note regarding the restoration of Belgium on certain conditions. According to reliable Vatican information, the Holy See asked Berlin to explain why the German Papal note contained no allusion to Belgium or occupied French territory. Germany replied that the acceptance of the proposals made by the Pope concerning the evacuation of occupied territories was implied in the decision of the Reichstag regarding annexations, 1 whereto the German Government still adhered. AN AUSTRIAN MOVEMENT. Received September 20, 5.5 p.m. | i , Berne, Sept. 28. The Liberal Party in the Austrian Reichstag introduced a resolution in favor of the formation of a committee of fifty-two to discuss liow the Austrian Parliament can most quickly promote a conclusive peace PEACE INFORMATION BUREAU. Washington, Sept. 28! The State Department has announced the creation of a Peace Information Bureau, with Colonel E. H. House as unofficial adviser. President Wilson presides over tho bureau, which is unconnected with peace negotiations now. AMERICAN PEACE. REPRESENTATIVES. Received September 2!), 5.5 p.m. Washington, Sept. 28. Prom information at the Bureau it is believed that President Wilson lias picked Col. House to be head of the United States representatives at the world peace conference. Meanwhile Col. House tollecta essential data and is empowered to go abroad.