NEW PEACE TRICK.

Bruce Herald, Volume LII, Issue 23, 23 March 1916, Page 4

NEW PEACE TRICK.

HUN PROPOSAL TO BELGIUM

A curious peace- balloon has been sent up by the Germans in America in connection with the publication of message from Hen; Dernburg (the former Colonial Minister and Lei man agent in New York) confirming reports that he is opposing the annexation ot politically autonomous peoples. The balloon" was unloosed by the 'New York American,' one of .the most active of the pro-German newspapers in America.. The 'American' dechues that it has received news from a high German source" that the German Government "has under consideration the voluntary evacuation of Belgium upon condition that the Belgians conclude a separate peace." He -points out that if Belgium were returned to the Belgians the AngloFrench armies could not invade •Germany.; from the Belgian frontier without themselves violating .'Belgian neutrality He then makes the following delectable promise:—"lf Great Britain will raise the blockade and allow the Belgian people to resume their industrial activities Germany may even aid in' rebuilding destroyed properties by paying the-relatively small bill. The 'American' states that it has submitted this "report" to the German Embassy in Washington, where it was regarded as of great importance and although not officially confirmed was riot discredited." It adds that Germany's proposal will he made to King Albert by the military governor of Belgium.

The British Embassy to-day issued the following statement: "A distinguished Belgian Jesuit father, because lie was lately received by the Holy Father, has given the following account of his audience to a Dutch chaplain in the Belgian Army on his return: 'lhe Pope told me—and told me to repeat it along the trenches to the men and officers and even to the King himself—that ho considers that Belgium has a right to complete reparation from Germany and that he will never consent to offer his good offices for the reestablishment of peace unless Belgium has all her territories in Europe and Africa restored to her- . . ."