GERMANY AND PEACE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16206, 8 May 1918, Page 7

GERMANY AND PEACE.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright^ (.Aus-.rijian end X.Z. Cacla Ajjot.»uou.; UJ.NDO.N", May 6. Refeiences to tfio Uorman peace ottensive were evidently based ou tne rctc^pc of certain proposals turough a neutral source. Tno Central News Hague correspondent reports thai Meiiiueer Lolyn, a former Uuteh Avar .Minister, carried Kuiilaimn's proposals to Lonaon. <_iorman circles in Holland declare that Germany's terms are ai ready known at Downing Street, and include :— The status in the East to remain as at present. Renunciation of German claims in tho West. Austria to make concessions. International conferences to settio Balkan questions.' All the belligerents to decide colonial questions in Africa and Asia Minor. Germany, while abandoning Kiaocbau, demands economic concessions in China. A Central News message from the Hague says it is reported that the German peace proposals include tlio restoration of Belgium, autonomy for Alsace and Lorraine, within the German f<vderation, and tho submission of colonial questions to an international conference. DENIAL IN THE COMMONS. (Australian and N.Z. Catlo Aseoeiation.) (Received May Bth, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 6. Mr Balfour, in the House of Commons, denied that the enemy had recently made peace offers. He added that no neutral representatives in Britain had made tentative or informal peace suggestions. The whole thing was a mare's nest. NO MOVE BY THE POPE. ("The Time*.") (Received May 7th, 7.10 p.m.) ROME, May 6. The Vatican denies the rumour of a Papal Whitsuntide peace move, adding that a favourable opportunity does not seem near. (Reuter's TclogTamfl.) (Received Mav 7th, 8.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, May G. The Stnto Department has received advices from I/ondon saying that Meinheer Colyn, a former member of the Dutch Cabinet, is in London giving urenmuiy'b peace terms. MOKE POISON PROPAGANDA. AMSTERDAM, May (5. Tlio "Berliner lageoiatv' uavwg failed to set tne Briusii against the Jp'roncii, lias commoacea a campaign to set tno oversea troops agaiust the Uritisn. It says:—••i'ho Australians are disheartened and sick of tne whole war, necauso what tney gained by months of eii'ort the JtJritish have lost in a few hours. The Australians now admit that English victory is impossible, rnd boasting of English invincibility is a thing of the past. The French regiments had to stiffen the British front like the bones of a corset. As the English sacrificed the colonial troops, so tlie3' sacrificed the Portuguese."

Other papers, discussing tho incoming of America, admit that more troops are moving than was expected. America is a tough enemy, but will be too late.

A loading Australian authority points out the significance of the German propaganda effort, which is designed to take the sciug out of the Australian antf other I minion forces. It only shows tue cnwuiy's strong dislike- to these fiery lighters. It is notoworthy that they avoided the Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian nertors for - tho great offensive. The Australians entirely disregarded the propagandist newspapers sent over by small balloons. They will likewise disregard the latest malignant newspaper campaign. The Australians had played an inspiring part in the recent defensive operations, and never previously had such an opportunity for killing Germans. The whole force had been trained. to wolcome suoh massed attacks, in which the enomy's losses were stupendous. So far from admitting victory is impossible, tho Australians realise that tho futile German thrusts have already brought tho end nearer, heralding the complete overthrow of the German armies. Although a certain sentiment is attached to the lost ground, the Australians have no rogrets, knowing it does not matter where the final battle is fought, provided the opponents of democracy and liberty aro robbed of their greedy powers for all time. This being the Australians'\ first hope, they aro determined to meet unswervingly every successive attack until tho Germans admit that they are defeated. THE -'RED FLAG" IN ENGLAND. LONDON, May 6. Several efforts to inaugurate peace meetings England yesterday failed, including one at Finsbury Park, whore disorderly scenca occurred, owing to groups of men parading and carrying flags, and singing "Tb« Red Flag." They had a warm reception. When they left tho park their flays were snatched away, their clothes torn and several wero rollod in the nuul, Fifteen thousand poople assepiblorl in the Market Square, Leicester, where Mr Ramsay Macdonald jiad been announced to speak. Counter demonstrations rushed the platform. The police rescued Mr Mncdonakl, and carried him off in a taxicab.