PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1917, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

THE AUSTRO-GERMAN OFFER, PRESS COMMENTS. CENTRAL POWERS US SORE STRAITS. ALLIES WORKING FOR VICTORY, NOT PEACE. ! Received Dec. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 28. English newspapers emphasise that the Austro-German offer is nominally addressed to Russia, but. is actually intended for the Allies. Already Russia is oirt of the war, while Austria and Germany are in sore straits. Their own newspapers admit that thousands must die this winter of starvation, therefore the peace offer is genuine, but unsatisfactory. The Allies are thinking about victory, not peace. The enemy accepts restitution, but refuses reparation, and clouds other vital issues.

The Daily News says that if the Russians seek the Allied views, the Allies should seize the opportunity of making •a candid, reasoned statement of war aims and peace terms. The Daily Express considers that an authoritative Allied reply might demonstrate to the German people that the Allies do not wish their destruction, or to hinder their development, or to threaten their independence. When they once understand what is the real Allied intention, the people themselves will complete the destruction of militarism. The Daily Chronicle says that Germany, by demanding the return of her colonies, doubtless hopes to engage Russia in a joint pressure upon England. The offer is intended for the Allies, especially America, at a time whetf there are threats and warnings of tremendous German efforts on the West front, but that they are probably only the forerunner of more formal proposals. . AMERICAN. VIEWS. GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE UNALTERED. PROPOSALS REJECTED BY PRESS. PRUSSIANISM MUST BE RENOUNCED. Received Dec. 30, 5.5 p.m. \ Washington, Bee.. 28. Count Czernin's offer is regarded as a? war feeler. The administration does not' modify its attitude of refusing to deal with the German Government. New York, Dec. 28. The newspapers unanimously reject the proposals. The New York Times says. that the first condition of peace is that Prussianism must for ever be renounced, and that Germany must cease to be an 'international peril. The Allies' deter.mination is irrevocable. • The New York World states that Germany makes the offer while hiding be-* rhind her vassal and the P«trograd nioba iifr is tantamount to an acknowledgement* of a temporary defeat. I The New York Herald refers scathingly to-the-farce at Brest Bitovsk. FRENCH MINISTER'S STATEMENT.

TERMS IMPOSSIBLE. Received Dec. 30, 5.5 p.m. Paris, Dec. 29. M. Pichon, speaking in the Chamber, said the Allies only desired to obtain a guarantee for a durable peace by international agreement. We will consider 1 the war won only when the German people tell us they are ready to- accept, a peace based on justice and reparation' for wrongs done. The French Government refused to negotiate on the terms* offered by Germany to Bussia, as it was impossible to accept such conditions as the restoration of the status quo, without indemnity and reparation, and the maintenance of the economic regime 'Xisting before the war.

RUSSIAN PROPOSAL. TO-APPOINT A Of MdOSSIOiK. Amsterdam, Dee. 28 Negotiations have begun for the restoration of traffic between Russia, Austria, and Germany. The latter is bopkg that food supplies from Russia will save the critical situation. The Russian delegates have replied to the German peace terms expressing gladness at the acceptance by the Central .Powers of the principle of no annexations and a democratic peace, but not at the reserve of the Central Powers regarding the liberation of-subject races. 'Russia proposes the creation of a special commission to study the question of colonies deciding their own status. Russia asks for a suspension of negotiations until January .4 to enable the otEer belligerents to consider the proposaJs with a <«iew to joining in tie pourparlers, which wijr then be resumed whether other -countries psnAjcipjrte or not.

A REPLY T0 SOCIALJSTS. i GERMAN PROPOSALS OONHJEMNEiD. f Paris, Dec. 28. The Chamber unanimously voted confidence in the Government following on M. Pichon's to Socialists' interpellations charging the Allies with Imperialistic aims and practising secret diplomacy at the/expense of the peoples. M. Pichor/gaH tlmt after the soldiers' (heroism, miseries suffered, and the •destruction tit towns, it was impossible to accept! Germany's latest hypocritical proposals for a Ij&uj peace on the haste ■of,t*ie status quo, anSuding the pre-war economfc regime. tfiwace demanded au indemnity and reparation. The Allies were in complete agreement regarding their aims. Ateace•Lorratoe was lor France toe very- syw■boloir&ht, >