THE PEACE PROPOSAL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15776, 18 December 1916, Page 7

THE PEACE PROPOSAL.

A BRITISH VIEW. I — OUR DUTY TO OUR ALLIES REPARATION AND GUARANTEES. (By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.; (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received December 17th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 16. Mr A. Henderson. Labour Minister in the War Cabinet, speaking in London. said that the Government did not know anything of the text of the German proposals. Germany's motives remained a matter for speculation. Judging by recent events hor terms probably would not err on the side of magnaminity. - Mr Henderson added: "Britain, from love of peace, is anxious to appreciate the real meaning of any proposal for peace. If any are put forward they Would bo examined with the greatest care. We must .remember that Germany desired peace with Britain in August, 1914, but on conditions fatal to our honour and loyalty. . The same spirit of loyalty to our brave and loyal allies must determine the spirit with which we examine these fresh proposals. The proposals must be scrutinised in the light of our obligation not to conclude a separate peace. We must remember the greater sacrifices that have been made by France, Belgium, Serbia, and Poland. Any peace must be n just and permanent one, with the supremo condition that conserves the principles for which we entered this war. There must not only be reparation for the past and security for the future, but guarantees as to the duration of peace. Germany might have such a peace if she furnished proof of hor good, intentions, but if her overtures are merely a pretence, if she seeks an armistice for a breathing space in order to lay fresh plans of aggression, the people of these islands, however tempted, must set their faces like steel against the proposals."

TWO CONDITIONS. (Received December 17th., 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December IG. ~~The Solicitor-General, Mr Gordon Hewart, in speaking at Leicester, said that the Government would consider the prqposals to negotiate, subject to two conditions. The first was that our aims and ideals in the war remained unchanged. The second was that we should act in concert with our allies. MR M ASSET'S DECLARATION. (Received December 17th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 16. The lit. Hon. AV. F. Massey. in speaking at the Hotel Cecil, said that whether the proposals were serious or not. peace negotiations should not bo entered upon until the Germans were driven beyond the Rhine and expelled from al Ithe occupied territory. OFFICIAL PLEDGES GIVEN. (Australian and Js'.Z. Cable Association., (Router's TelegTame.j LONDON, December 15. Mr Lloyd George exchanged messages with General Trepoff (Russia - )., Signor Bosselli (Italy), and M. Do Brocquevillc (Belgium), containing mutual assurances of the strengthening of Allied friendships, unflinching efforts to secure victory for the common ideals, and adherence to their pledges to Belgium. THE POPULAR TEMPER. LONDON. December 15. A crowded citv meeting carried a resolution moved bv Lord Bere«ford, demanding the elimination ■of all trace of enemy influence in Britain, the immediate" closing of all enemy banks and business houses, the carrying out of the resolutions of the Paris Conference, and appealing to the people of the Empire to resist a premature peace. i RUSSIA FIRM. ALL NEGOTIATIONS DECLINED. * (Australian and X.Z. Cnb'e Association.) (Received December 17th. 5.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD. December 16. The Duma unanimously resolved agaist entering upon any separate peace negotiations whatever at- the present cime. TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION. (Reuter'a Telegrams.) PETROGRAD, December 15. Tha anti-peace resolution adopted by the Duma expresses the belief that the peace proposals are a new proof that the en- my is weakening, and of his hypocritical attempts to shift' the responsibiiitv the war upon others. It also declares that a premature peace would not only be of short duration, but would raise the danger of a new and bloody war. A real peace would only be possible aft;r the enemy's military power had been decisively broken and Germany definitely renounced the aspirations which rendered her blamable in the present struggle.

; A STRONG SPEECH. THE ENEMY MUST RE CRUSHED. (A'.ietr&lian and X.Z. Association.} (Received December 17th, 5.5 p.m.; s PETROGRAD. December 15. | In the Duma the Foreign Minister ] said that Germany's offer had not- surj prised ihe allies. She had previously i put out feelers for a separate peace but now. recognising hor powerlessness to I break their unshaken alliances, she ofj ficiallv proposed negotiations. The real j meaning of this was an attempt- to profit at the last moment from her fleet- [ ing territorial conquests before her j domestic weakness was revealed. Rus- ; sia indignantly repudiated the mere idea of suspending the struggle against an enemy whose forces were shaken, but unbroken, and who was seeking to gain a breathing space by a deceitful offer. The inflexible decision of Russia was in complete agreement with her allies. No subterfuge could prevent the carrying on of the war till the enemy was-crushed. SCHEME FALLS FLAT. LONDON, December 15. ■'The Times'' correspondent at Petrograd says that Germany's latest attempt to divide the Allies has fallen absolutely flat. The Russian view is that peace will come only when the enemy is expelled from the occupied territories, Belgium and Serbia have been liberated, all Polish land* united, Roumanian and Italian national aspirations realised, raid the robber den of Europe wiped "out. ALL CAPITALS UNITED. LONDON. December 15. Semi-official statements from all the capitals indicate the refusal of the German peace offer. JAPAN IN LINE. NEW YORK, December 15. The "New York Herald's" Tokio correspondent learns that Japan will not consider peace on the basis of status quo ante-bellum. Japan will stand staunchly bv the Allies until Prussian militarism is overthrown. Japanese statesmen will not consent to the restoration of Kaiochnu and the islands of the Pacific. She may approve of the return of Kaiochau to China, but is determined to drive out the German menace from Asia. A SOUTH AFRICAN VIEW. JOHANNESBURG, December 15. The newspapers denounce the peace offer as a clever attempt to disunite the Allies. I THE ENEMY'S OUTLOOK. MORE BOMBAST FROM THE KAISER. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) •i (Received December 17th, 5.5 p.m.) | AMSTERDAM, December 15. The Kaiser, in reviewing troops at Mulhauscn said :—"1 feel that are the absolute conquerors, and have offered to negotiate with the enc-my. All rests you if the fighting must continue. If the enemy still thinks he has not had enough, then 1 know!"' The Kaiser concluded with a military gesture, calling forth a grim smile ypon the men's faces. In speaking to the officers, the Kaiser reaffirmed his faith in militarism, and said he believed chat Germany's terms had been sent to President Wilson. THE TROOPS REJOICE. FLUSHING. December 15. There are great rejoicings among German soldiers nt the various Belgian frontier places, as they believe that peace is imminent. Their behaviour everywhere is that of a victorious army. THE "JUNKER" IDEA. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Kcutor's Telegrams.) (Received Dceembcr 17th. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 16. A German wireless message states that the Conservatives in the Reichstag j at a Caucus meeting, passed a resolution that peacc negotiations must not be conducted on the lines of peace at an 3" price. The Conservative/ firmly expect that the advantages gained with the blood and brains of the troops will be the, basis of a peace guaranteeing the military, economic, and finaucial future of Germany. A " DCCTORED" SPEECH. ("The Timca.") (Received December 17th. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 15. The German Press reports of Dr. von Bethraann-Hollweg's speech show important discrepancies from the wireless propaganda. In the reports he indicates that Germany was not proposing terms, but would present them in the event of negotiations being opened. Other passages have lteen doctored to remove the gloominess from the speech. TO FORCE PEACE. NEW CAMPAIGN OF RUTHLESSNESS. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Assccia.tion.l (Received December 17th, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 15. The State Department hears that Germany has in commission a new fleet of powerful submarines ready on January Ist to savagely resume underwater warfare, unless the Allies open negotiations for peace. A CONFERENCE DESIRED. TERMS THEN SUBMITTED. (Australian and X.Z. C-b-e As.9ocia.tion.) (Received December 17th, 11.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 1". Count von Bernstorff interviewed Mr R. Lansing. Count Bernstorff states that if the belligerents agree to meet in conference, Germsoiy would submit definite nlans and terms. "TEUTONIC IMPUDENCE." LOXDOX, December 15. The "Spectator" says: "The proposal is a good specimen of Teutonic impudence. If the Germans really expected to win they would make no suggestion respecting peace. They have probably prepared new schemes of frightfulness if the Allies refuse to negotiate. We already know that submarines h.wc been pushed without limitations. Holland is forbidden to navigate ships to Dutch ports without German escort. Germany also threatens to use bombs to distribute infective germs broadcast in Britain; in order to complete the vrork of famine.'*

MUTUAL A DMT RATI OX. . HIXDENBURG AND HOLLWEG. ;R*ut«r's Telegrams.) AMSTERDAM. December 15. Marshal von Hindenburg telegraphed to the Chancellor, Dr. von BethinannHollweg, congratulating l" : in on his speech, which, lie said, he had "'read with deep emotion and great satisfaction as a great moral demonstration of the strength of Germany." The Gom-mander-in-Chiel continued: ''We soldiers know that there is no higher and holier duty than that of prosecuting victory with the utmost _ energy and living and dying for tho Kaiser and the Fatherland."' Dr. von Uethniann-Hollweg replied: "The deeds of the Army on land and water cleared the way for the rnagnaminous decision of the Kaiser and allies. If our enemies are not pleased to terminate the war to-day. our soldiers will fight to secure to the Fatherland a strong and lasting peace.'' WILD RUMOURS IX GERMANY. LONDON. December 15. The "Daily Telegraph's" Rotterdam correspondent says: "An unexpected sequel of the peace proposals is a great crop of extravagant, and optimistic rumours in Germany, which culminated in a widely-believed fable that the belligerents have begun to discuss terms. The rumour spread like wildfire, necessitating inspired cautions in the newspapers warning the people that nothing had happened hovond what was officially announced."' A HUNGARIAN DEMAND. THE HAGUE. December li). Count Karoly's party in the Hungarian Parliament is demanding the terms of the peace offer. TO LIMIT ARMAMENTS, GERMANY CONVERTED. (Australian and N.Z. C»b!e Association.) (Received December 17th, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December IG. According to the German Embassy, peace will be worthless unless it renders pre-war armaments unnecessary. WASHINGTON. December 15. The German Embassy has authorised a statement that it is certain that one of the most important subjects for discussion at the Peace Conference will bo the universal limitation, of armaments. WITHOUT COMMENT. THE NOTE TRANSMITTED. (Received December 17th, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 1(3. It- is officially announced that the United States has forwarded the Central Powers' pence proposals to the Entente without comment. THE EFFECT ON NEUTRALS. (RautcrV Telegrams.)PARIS, Decembor 15. The famous political economist, M. Thery, joints out that the fact that German exchanges on New York and Amsterdam improved at the mere possibility of peace negotiations, clear, ly shows that' neutral ' financiers do not believe in the possibility of victory for Germany, upon which Herr von Hellferich denends for the payment of Germany's debts. AMERICAN STOCK MARKETS. NEW YORK, "December 15. Stocks continue:! to declinc from three to t.en r>oint>s, and there were wild disorders following on rumours that peace was more possible. Stocks were slicrhtly stronger at .the close. Chicago wheat fdumood on the peace rumours. December k quoted at from 150 to 1421 cents, and Slav from 1(13 to 1531. A PACIFIST'S APPEAL. (Received December 17th, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 15. Mr W. J. Bryan has appealed to Mr Lloyd George urging peace negotiations upon all international disputes capable of adjustment, by peaceful means, lie adds:—"Do not, I pray you, by refusing to exchange, views, assume the responsibility for the continuation of this unspeakable conflict. Your" decision may mean life or death to millions." MESSAGE FROM THE POPE. COPENHAGEN, December 15. The "Tageblatt" states that the Pope is issuing a Christmas peace proclamation.