PEACE MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1918, Page 3

PEACE MATTERS.

GERMANY'S PLAUSIBLE ARGU<. MENT. ONLY. AN. ARMISTICE MENTIONED. j j London, Oct. 13. Wireless- German official:— Tho German Government has replied to President Wilson: The German Government has accepted the term? laid down by President Wilson in his address of January S and subsequent addresses on the foundation of a permanent peace of justice. Consequently its object in entering into discussions Wi.uld lie only to agree upon practical details for tho application of these term®. The German Government believes the Governments of the Powers associated with the United States also adopt the position of President Wi'son in his address. The German Government, in accordance with the Austro-HuEgarian Government, for the purpose <jf bringing about an armistice, declares itself ready to comply with the President's proposition with Tegard to evacuation, and suggests that the President may convene a. meeting of a Mixed Commission for making the necessary arrangements concerning the evacuation. The present German Government, which has undertaken the responsibility of this step towards peace, has been formed by conferences and in agreement with the great majority of the Reichstag. The Chancellor is supported in all his actions by the will of this majority, and speaks in the name of the German Government and' people-—'Signed) Solf.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. GERMAN PRESS FILL IN GAPS. Amsterdam, Oct. 12. The Fremdenblatt says that the Government and Reichstag accepted without restriction President Wilson's entire programme as a basis of peace and the aim of further deliberations is to reach a compromise upon practical details. The Government declares that the evacuations demanded are not impossible, if it is guaranteed that Belgium will not again become the theatre of i vrar. Germany believes that peace is dawning, but declares that Germany's possessions must be guaranteed to it,

The Vorwaerts regards the prospects of peace as favorable, but warns against impatient expectations.

The Frankfurter Zeiturig inquires if it is demanded that the evacuation shall include the Eastern occupied territories. It alleges that Poland has requested a continuance of the occupation, and doubtless the Baltic provinces will do the same.

GEE MAN 1 OFFER DISCUSSED. A MOVE TO BAFFLE FOCET. London, Oct. 13. When Germany's acceptanc&ybf President Wilson's terms was announced in the London theatres and music-halls on Saturday night the audiences rose and sang the National Anthem with the greatest enthusiasm.

Sir John Simon, in a speed! at Walthamstow in the afternoon, said he saw 110 change of heart in Germany, and added: "If the controllers of her destinies are sincerely desirous of a real peace, let them forthwith abandon submarine warfare."

The consensus of the earliest newspaper opinion is that President Wilson will not recomitiend the Allies to grant Germany an armistice unless accompanied by solid guarantees over and above the evacuation of the invaded territory, such guarantees to include, according to some writers, the occupation by the British, French, or Americans of the fortress of Met/, and the bridgeheads of the Khine. It is taken for granted that Marshal Foch will lay tiliis down as a military condition. Several newspapers insistently demand the surrender of German submarines before there is any suspension of hostilities. The Observer emphasises the danger of Germany attempting to use President Wilson for the purpose of baffling Marshal Focb. Any armistice must be accompanied by guarantees making it impossible for the enemy to renew the struggle. The Sunday Times says: "No surrender could be more complete and sudden, hence we must hold it suspect. If the suggestion of a mixed commission is not a proposal for a peace conference and the consequent bargaining, doubtless the Germans fervently trust that it will develop into one. We must hope that President Wilson will make clear the understanding that any omissions in the fourteen points of the Allies' demands must be rigorously enforced, including the punishment of criminals who inspired and organised the havoc and atrocities on land, also naval and mercantile reparation for the flagrant violation of the laws of marine warfare.Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

ALLIES DECIDE ON LINE OP ACTION London, Oct. 12, The Daily Express says: The Entente Governments have discussed the German peace overtures and decided on a common line of action.—Aus N.Z. Cable Assoc. ATROCITIES MUST BE RENOUNCED. London, Oct. 12. The inter-allied conference of scientific academies announces that it will not renew personal relations with our enemies until they renounce their atrocities and their policy of murders and outrages with which they have stained their hisitory.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. TEST OF GERMAN GOOD FAITH. London, Oct. 12. Sir Edward Carspu, writing in the. Morning Post, says that the Government should, before further German notes are accepted, insist on the perpetrators of crime being delivered and brought to justice. It will be best to test Germany's bona Cdea In seeking an armistice. WHY GERMANS WANT ARMISTICE. London, Oct. 13. Lord Denbigh, in a speech in London, said the Crown Prince's army, being In difficulties at Laon, the Germans asked for an armistice to cnablo tfhem to gel beyond the frontier, bring up arm-j and reorganise. They would theft saVf- tliey had misunderstood the nolnrwhen they resisted -we "if whole job to do ««r' Main—aus.