GERMAN PEACE OFFER.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1919, Page 3

GERMAN PEACE OFFER.

PROPAGANDA BY AEROPLANE. We have received, by the courtesy of Mrs. K Bennett, of Bristol Road, Inglewood, a copy of a circular distributed by means of aeroplanes amongst thi: Allied soldiers in France, and which was picked up by Mrs. Bennett's son, who was with the New Zealanders at the time. The circular is headed: "The German People Oilers Peace,'' and then piocceds to set forth the programme of the new German Government as follows: rhe will of the people is the highest law.' The German people wants quickly to end the slaughter. The new German popular Government, therefore, has offered an armistice, and has declared itself ready for Peace on the basis of justice and the reconciliation of nations. I- is the will of the German people that it should live in peace with all peoples, honestly and loyally. What has the new German popular Government done so far to put into practice the will of the people and to prove its good and upright intentions? (a) The new German Government has appealed to President Wilson to bring about peace. It has recognised and accepted all the principles which President Wilson proclaimed as a basis for a general and lasting peace of justice among the nations. (b) It has solemnly declared its readiness to evacuate Belgium and restore it. (c) It is ready to come to an honest understanding with France about Alsace-Lorraine, (d) It lms restiicted the U-boat war. No passenger steamers not carrying troops or war material will be attacked in future (e) It has declared that it will withdraw all German troops back over the German froneier, (f) It has asked the Allied »o\ emmonts to name commissioners to agree upon the practical measures of the evacuation of Belgium and France. hese are the deeds of the new German popular government. Can these be called mere words, or bluff, or propaganda Who is to blame if the armistice is not called now? Who is to blame if daily thousands of brave soldiers needlessly have lo shed their blood and die? Who 13 to blame if the hitherto undestroyed towns and villages of France and Belgium sink in ashes? Who is to blame if hundreds of thousands of unhappy women and children are driven from their homes to hunger and freeze The German people offers its hand for peace."

The lipa tl and footlines of the circular (which is printed iti both French and English) are in prominent black letters, and what are evidently regarded as the more important or' attractive words and phrases are also brought out in heavier type. The date stamped on the letter ,in which the circular whs sent Was "October 29. 1018," so that the circular must have been scattered abroad some time before the armistice was granted,