SOME PHASES OF THE PROPOSALS REJECTED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 245, 14 October 1918, Page 5

SOME PHASES OF THE PROPOSALS REJECTED.

AUSTRIA TO MAKE SEPARATE OFFER IF JOINT NEGOTIATIONS FAIL. LONDON, October 13. The United Press states that the official opinion in Washington is that Germany's reply is unsatisfactory.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) Germany declines some phases of Mr. Wilson's proposals. Sir Douglas Haig. in an army order, warns officers and men against the false rumours circulating of peace being at hand, the evident object being to discourage the troops and divert them from the great task of overthrowing their enemies. . Sir Douglas Haig urges the troops to realise that now more than ever it is necessary to concentrate their energies on the great goal which all hope to reach, namely, the attainment in the near future of a decisive and happy result.

Berlin semi-official messages assert that the question of evacuation of occupied territory depends on the high command's opinion whether the Allies will agree not to overstep the frontier, whether France will evacuate Cpper Alsace, and whether the troops are incapable of fighting in the improbable event of a breakdown of the negotiations. The solemnity with which tha conference between LtidendorfT, who was summoned to Berlin, and the politicians was announced, shows that the Government is deeply impressed with the seriousness of the moment.

It may be a mere coincidence that the. rumours of the Kaiser's intending abdication are synchronising with the summoning of the council of German monaTchs, but if he intends to abelicate, such a council would be an almost necessary preliminary. The well-informed centrist newspaper ''Germania*' in this connection makes the significant observation: "Nothing is more uncertain at this moment than the future of the House of Hapeburg and also of another house." —(Router.)

The "Dairy News" states that Austria has warned Germany that Austria will conclude a separate peace unless the collective negotiations quickly succeed. (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

The sinking of the steamers Leinster and Ilirano Maru are apparently incidents in the new submarine campaign which was recently inaugurated with the dispatch of much larger and more heavily armed submarines to the routes traversed by American transports. The stories of survivors emphasise that the attacks were nothing, short of murder.

The attack on the Leinstcr was most determined. The vessel narrowly escaped being torpedoed on Monday. Finally the Germans used three torpedoes, though the vessel was only a fragile cross-Channel packet.

The newspapers are of the opinion that this is the most_ahocking sea crime since the sinking of the JLusitania, and that this latest infamy disqualifies Prince Maximilian's Government from conducting further negotiations. (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

A German official wireless message states that Herr Erzbcrger, leader of the Catholic Centre party, in an interview, said that the new Government's first s-teps had been to subordinate military power to the civil control. The War Minister, General yon Stein, and two commanding generals, who were considered to embody militarism, had been removed. Commanding generals in the interior had been ordered to submit their decisions to the local civil authorities. Militarism in Germany was ended for ever.— (A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) The German newspapers are preparing the people for a total evacuation in the west. They declare thc.t if Mr. Wilson's 14 points are accepted there will be no need to fear a of hostilities.—('Times.")