PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1918, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

THE PEACE OFFENSIVE. Started By Austro-Hungary. Academic Generaities. i | Enemy Wants Peace. 1 ! Received Sept. 10, 8.30 p.m. I Vienna, Sept. 15. , An official message states that, with a view to examining whether conditions ' such as make the inauguration of peace negotiations appear promising, the Aus--1 tro-Hungarian Government has invited 9 all the belligerent Governments to a confidential, non-binding discussion at an eptly date, at a neutral centre. A special note has also been sent to the Holy See, bringing this action to its notice, . and appealing to the Pope's interest in peace. The note says that a conscientious examination of the situation of all the belligerents iio longer leaves a doizbt that they all long for a speedy end of the bloody struggle. Hitherto it. lias not 'been possible to create preliminary conditions calculated to bring peace efforts ■ nearer realization and bridge the gap . separating the belligerents. It reviews the previous peace efforts, ' and adds that though the discussions : may prove that the differences separating the belligerents' conceptions of peace , conditions are not slight, nevertheless an ■ atmosphere can be formed which no longer exclude? the discussion of peace. The Government in conscious that after the devastating war it will be impossible to re-establish the tottering World in order by a single t stroke. The path of peace will be toilsome and wearisome, yet it is our duty 1 to tread it. Even if a military victory were attainable, it would necessitate a further protracted and bloody struggle; but even then a victorious peace would no longer be able to make good the consequences of such a policy, which would be fatal to the whole of Europe. The only one peace which- could righteously adjust the still divergent conceptions of the opponents would be the peace desired by all peoples. With this consciousness, and unswervingly endeavoring to labor in the interests of peace, the Austro-Hungarian Government seeks to bring about « direct discussion between enemy Powers. The earnest will to peace of the broad classes of the popu'ation of Ail the States suffering from the war is indisputib'e. A rapprochemenr in individual controversial question?, ns well as a more conciliatory atmosphere seems to give a certain guarantee that fresh peace offers might at preseat offer a possibility of success. A partial turning from many extremist views to concrete war aims has become visible, and a certain agreement relative to the basic principles of world peace ha 3 manifested itself in support of a growing spirit towards peace. , The message points out that, while the Allies may reply, 'President Wilson has made demands amounting to the dismemberment of Austro-Hungary, the diminution and profound internal transformation of Germany, and the destruction of Turkey's European ownership. These demands, the realisation of which was based on the supposition of overwhelming victory, Were later modified in many Entente declarations, or partly dropped. It quotes Mr. Balfour's and Mr. Lloyd George's speeches in support of this view. • After asserting that the Central Powers are only waging a war of defence for the integrity and security of their territories, the note proceeds to say that an agreement on general principles will not suffice. It is a matter of reaching an accord on their interpretation and application to individual concrete war aild peace questions. There is no serious prospect of reaching an understanding by continuing to discuss peace by the methods hitherto followed. Another method should be chosen, which will enable a direct verbal discussion, solely between the representatives of the Governments. As soon as ail agreement is reached on fundamental principles, an effort must be made to concretely apply them to' individual peace questions. The note explains that war activities would not be interrupted, and that the discussions would only go as far as the participants considered they offered prospects of success. The note maintains that the old misunderstandings might be removed and many new things perceived. All the belligerents owo it to humanity jointly to examine whether, after suclt a costly, undecided struggle, it is possible to end the terrible conflict. The note further statea that the Governments of neutral States have <also been acquainted with the proposal. The note is in close accord with the existing four allied Powers, and warrants the assumption that Austro-Hungary's allies, Whereto the proposal is being sent, will share the view expressed in the note.— Keuter. JOCKEYING THE ALLIES. INTO AN UNFAVORABLE POSITION. Received Sept. 16, 8.15 p.m. London, Sept. 15. There is little doubt that Germany is behind the Austrian peace movement. It ( is, doubtless, the first of many attempts to jockey the Allies into an unfavorable J position, and bolster up the German people with the idea that the Allies rejected their peace offers. I A diplomatic authority points out that the enemy knows perfectly well what ' our minimum terms are. The Daily Express says that Germany has approached Belgium, proposing that she remain neutral until the end of the war and use her good offices to secure the return of the German colonies Another message states that Germany offers Belgium cessation of hostilities ' and the evacuation of Belgium if she will consent to neutrality, thua barring Belgium to the Allied troops.—Aus. N.Z. Gable Asboc. and Keuter. INDEPENDENT SOCIALISTS MOVING Amsterdam, Sept. 15, The Independent Socialists introduced • a motion m the Berlin City Council requesting that an invitation be given for peace discussions, owing to the daily • increasing distress, the reduction of the entire standard of living, the increasing , criminafity, and the increawa

I DEFINITE TERMS. I

Offered to Belgiunr Cunning Hun Mova Received Sept. 10, 10.40 p.m. London, Sept. 15. Germany lias definitely offered Belgium peace on the following terms:— (1) Reinforcement of the GermanBelgian commercial treaties after the war for an indefinite period. (2) Belgium to endeavor to convince the Allied Governments of the necessity for returning German colonies). (3) Belgium immediately to resume neutrality, if she accepts. (4) The Fleming question to foe considered.—The Times Service, GERMAN MINISTERS RAISE FALSE HOPES. Amsterdam, Sept. 15. Count von Hertling told the trade union leaders that the ■ war would not last a moment longer than was absolutely necessary for Ge.jiaa defence. He confidently hoped ihey were neater peace than was generally beHevfid. Herr von Erzeberger told an interviewer that it was possible the longedfor peace would come in a short time.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.