PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 January 1918, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

PRESIDENT WILSON'S SPEECH CHIEF POINTS NOTED. FtILJ) TEXT AWAITED. SLUMP ON WALL STREET. ■ Received Jan. 10, 8.15 .p.m. London, Jan. 9, President Wilson's speech reached London after midnight. When its momentous nature was apparent, members of political clubs watched the tape machines for two hours, discussing the successive points. It is admittedly frank and comprehensive, and of the first importance at the pfesent delicate moment, The newspapers are withholding more than the briefest comnletit, pending the full text. It is already noted that President Wilson, unlike Mr. Lloyd George, expressed sympathy with Russia, demanding the evacuation of her occupied territory. Other points, notably the freedom of the seas and equality of trade after the war, are regarded as au explanation of the sudden slump in Wall Street. Received Jan. 10, 8.40 p.m. London, Jan. 9. The Daily Chronicle says that President, Wilson has once more exercised his iinique authority, both moral and politick, as spokesman for a democratic future. Received Jan. 10, 11.30 p.m. London, Jan. 10. The Daily Telegraph states that President Wilson's message will meet with the most cordial agreement from members of the European alliance. The foundations of unity are well and truly laid on both sides of the Atlantic. The Daily Chronicle states that President Wilson boldly turns his back upon the international past, its secret diplomacy and inevitable wars. It is difficult to conceive a more moving and sympathetic appeal to the best instincts that were working among the Russians and non-militant German elements. Regarding the freedom of t'e seaß, it is difficult to see why, while war remains, possible naval action should be specially tabooed and not corresponding military action. In pursuit of the ideal of the total abolition of wars the British Empire will go with President Wilson the whole way unreservedly. The -Daily News states that the common programme of President Wilson and Mr. Lloyd George is consistent at every point with Russian policy. It has received M. Clemenceau's welcome, and is uniformly endorsed by the Allied press. The work has long been delayed. President Wilson rightly gives prominence to the freedom of the seas, under a league of nations. A blockade would still be a weapon, but it would be wielded by the league. The Daily Express says that Mr. Lloyd (leorge and President Wilson not only accepted the challenge to state their aims, but had gone further, and sent a messagy to the world that wars must cease. Only when the German people assert themselves can negotiations re'place guns. The British Empire was foremost in opening their markets to the world. Assure us of the free trade of the world, and Britain will heartily support it. , , " The Morning Post says the Allies are one with America regal-ding the conditions demanded of Germany. The future to which President Wilson looks forward is strictly conditional upon victory, tat It has other conditions which President Wilson regards as essential and which we are compelled to believe require some modification. Before we subscribe to the doctrine of tile freedom of the seas we must consider the. matter in greater detail, and similarly the proposed league of nations. Meantime we may accept it as an aim for the future, with certain reservations.

LABOR PARTY'S APPROVAL. Eeceived Jan. 10, p.m. London 1 , Jan. 9. The La;bor Party has issued a, manifesto supporting President Wilson's programme, which is essentially similar to the British Labor programme, believing that if it readies the peoples of the Central Powers it will invigorate the popuIflr movement for peace.

PEACE MEETINGS AT VIENNA. NEW PEACE PARTY FORMED. Received Jan. 10, 8.10 p.m. Copenhagen, Jan. 9. The Social Democraten learns that great peace meetings at Vienna passed resolutions sympathising with the Bolshevik views, and demanding the release of Dr. Adler. A new peace party has been formed for the purpose of agitating a peace by understanding.

CHANGE OF VENUE CERTAIN. COPENHAGEN TO BE THE MEETING PLACE. Stockholm, Jan. 9. Mr. Suysman states that the RussoGerman perrce negotiations are almost certain to be transferred to Copenhagen in a few weeks.