PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1918, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

OVERTURES FOR PEACE. EMPEROR KARL'S SECOND LETTER Received May 0, 8.15 p.m. London, May 8. The Manchester Guardian's Paris correspondent reveals Emperor Karl's second letter (cabled on April 18), which is more important than the first, declaring that he was convinced he could induce Germany to make peace, provided the Entente's demands were restricted to Alsace-Lorraine. Emperor Karl assumed that all the occupies territories would be evacuated and Belgian sovereignty restored unconditionally, but hinted that Germany demanded certain compensation at the' Russians' expense. . Karl stated that he was already assured of Bulgaria's acceptance, and asketl that his letter should be confidentially and loyally respected. M. Poincare (French President) suggested that Austria should cede Trieste and the Trentino in exchange for §Qesia, but Karl pointed out that Frame did not occupy Silesia, therefore it would be fin initial obstacle to the negotiations. The dossier includes an important Austrian statement that if Germany intractable, and an armistice was arranged between Austria and the Entente, tkere would be a revolution in Germany, M. Ribot rejected the proposal, because they would mean a rupture with Italy. Mr, Lloyd George hesitatingly fenced on a negative reply, on which Baron Sowiino insisted. Mr. Lloyd George emphasised the importance of the proposals, and urged the desirability of not losing so favorable an opportunity for peace. M. Poincare objected to all the negotiations, deolaring that a complete milli tary victory alone would end the war. Some members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who had made an investigation of the dossier, declare that Karl's proposals would have been turned down without discussion, but for Mr. Lloyd .George. It is significant that Count Czernin's peace offer of April 3, 1917, wag mado - four days after Karl's letters were" sent, f Both Russia and 'President Wilson were informed after the proposals h&d been rejected, when it was too late for President Wilson's opinion to have any effect. It was also, considered possible that the rejection had Kerensky's position impossible. Both Belgium and Roumania favored meeting Von Lanckner, Germany's emissary, in Switzerland.—United Service.