THE PEACE OFFERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16323, 21 September 1918, Page 9

THE PEACE OFFERS.

AUSTRIA PERSISTENT. (By Cable.—Pw«b Association.—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Septomber 19. The "Morning Post's'' Amsterdam correspondent is trustworthily informed that the German Government lifts reduced the subsidy to Austria by ouehalf. Meanwhile Austria continues tho peace offensive. It is understood that Count Czernin, Austrian Mfnister of Foreign Affairs, acting with some members of the Reichstrath, is engaged in framing a peace resolution, to be introduced at trie session of the Rcichstrath opening on October Ist. Tlie resolution suggests Austro-Hungary's willingness to submit, oventually, all Eastern questions, including that of Poland, to an international solution. AUSTRIA AND ITALY SAID TO BE NEGOTIATING. ("The Times.") (Received September 20th, 7.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, September 19. According to tho "Deutsche Zcitung" thoro is some foundation for the reports that Austria and Italy are negotiating unofficially for peace through a Swiss dip]omat. AMERICAN COMMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received September 21st, 1.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, September 19. Tho "New York Times," commenting on tho Austrian peace offer says: — "Austria and Germany have themselves to blame if, when they confess defeat and propose peace, the proposal is peremptorily rejected as insincere. There will be no trading, no bargaining with criminal Powers which lone planned the war, began it, and carried it on like outlays. At the final peace conferenco the Cenetral Powers will be forced to stand at the bar and occcpt the sentence imposed. The terms of that sentence liavo been repeatedly announced by President Wilson. This has been tho 'New York Times' attitude alyays." Referring to a leading article cabled on September 16th, tho paper says, "Evidently some of our readers misunderstood our recent editorial. Wo regarded the Austrian .proposal as a confession of defeat and offer of surrender. Considering it so. We believed the proposal might bo considered on the principles laid down by President Wilson." Mr Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, in a speech at Annapolis, sttid: —"The German war lords never understood President Wilson's utterances until he declared last April for force without Btint or limitation. Even then the German leaders scoffed at the ability of a democratic nation to put an army in the field able successfully to meet German divisions. The Germans can have peace whenever they aro' ready to accept the terms stated by President Wilson to Congress last January." In the leading article referred to the "New York Times," commenting on the Austrian peace offer, said: The offer comes in a form which tho Allies may honourably accept in the confident belief that it will lead to the end of tho war. ' The practice and custom of nations demand that thiß invitation should be received with the most serious respect and attention by the Governments to which it is addressed.