SWITZERLAND'S PEACE NOTE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2961, 27 December 1916, Page 5

SWITZERLAND'S PEACE NOTE

LESS ELABORATE THAN WILSON'S MERELY EXPRESSES A HOPE THAT WAR WILL SOON END ; (By Telegraph—Pxess 'Association.—Copyright). Paris, December 25. Switzerland's Note to the belligerents is.less elaborate than President Olson's, but the ar gum outs are the same—humanitarian considerations, tho sufferings of neutrals, and fears of the extension of the conflict. The Note arrived in London on Frdiay and in Paris on Saturday. . . .The "Petit Parisien" says that the Note reveals that Switzerland took the initiative, and sounded President Wilson Eve weeks ago. President Wilson vwas therefore assured of the support of Switzerland. The Note does not invite the belligerents to state their objects, nor does it deal "with the origin of the conflict. It merely expresses a hope that tho war will soon end. The Pajis newspapers comment in terms .of courtesy and appreciation. of Switzerland's attitude during the war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. V jpi ' . '*' . ' . Washington, December 25r . The Swiss_peace. Note begins by reoiting that the Swiss Federal Council was for a considerable time in touch with tho President of the United States, glided by the desire that .hostilities may soon end. It reviews portions of President Wilson's iNoto, and discusses the desirability of international agreements, together with the necessity for bringing to an end the present war. . _ The Note says: "The most meritorious personal initiative of President .Wilson will find a mighty echo in Switzerland. ..That action, true to the obligation arising from our observation of strict neutrality, is united by the same friendship to the States of both warring groups, and is situated like an island in the midst of the seething waves of a terrible war, with its ideal and material interests most sensibly, jeopardised and violated.' It is ready to assist by its small means to establish the foundations for beneficial co-opera-tion between the peoples. "The Sthss Federal Council is therefore glad to seize the opportunity to support the efforts of the President of the United States, and would consider itself happy, if it oould act in any way, no matter how modest, for a rap- - prochement between the peoples now engaged in the struggle and for reaching & lasting peace."---Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asen. \ , V." ■ GERMANY'S INTENTIONS' AND PRESENT CONDITIONS m. ~, „ , , London, December 25. The Daily Chronicle s Amsterdam correspondent recounts a remarkable conversation between a German of high social status and a Dutch visitor. , J.he German admits that Germany will be beaten by starvation, and not by fu—n s -nl s England s doing alone." He admits only one mistake, that the German Fleet was .not large enough. In her next triumph slie will create a fleet which will annihilate England. It was for this that sho had carefully preserved the fleet in the present war. •11 ® en p. an y after some show of hypocritical diplomatic resistauoe, .will coincide with every British demand, oven to abandoning her Allies and Kaiser ; but oil the day peace is signed tshe will prepare for The German added that the great masses of tho workers in Germany regard the new compulsoiy civilian work with the deepest suspicion and distrust. frequent huge demonstrations of the workers at Essen, Cologne, and other centres have demanded an immediate increase in wages to meet thehigh Sudden strikes.in.various directions indicate'that in spite of all repression tho workmen are beginning secretly to reorganise against the general Severity of the conditions. . • It is understood that the Government lias projected wholesale compulsory municipal feeding. This ib intended not only to control tlie stocks of tood to the best advantage, but to lib erato ■an immense number of women ~P l iie s tio work for labour of a direct national (or military character This combing out' is expected to provide another four million soldiers of one Kort or another.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A,ssn. AUSTRIA NEAR THE POINT OF SECESSION FROM GERMANY . i ' to /Iv— , m -i- ~ , "0W York, December 25. ihe New lork Tribune" says: "On the highest authority it is stated that Austria is near the point of secession from the Germanic Alliance, owing to the acute economio stress. Britain knows that. "Before the peace offer was made, President Wilson was told that the Kaiser still had a big card to play. Britain knows what that card is."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. < ENDEAVOURS TO ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF THE POPE. Zurich, December 25. The Wireless Press correspondent states that Austria and Germany are Strenuously endeavouring to induce the Pope to support the peace overtures. The Austrian Emperor Carl twice gave audience to the Papal Nuncio in private. The King of Bavaria also privately gave an audience to tho Nuncio at Munich, and the Kaiser received the Archbishops of Breslau and Posen. Herr von Betbmann-Hollweg has summoned Herr Spahn, Herr Bocliem, &nd Herr Erzberger, the leaders of the Centre (Roman Catholic) Party, to a conference in Berlin.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn-. THE CONDITIONS TO BE IMPOSED ON RUSSIA. ' " , " Amsterdam, December 25. The Cologne Gazette," in an inspired leader, says that Germany intends to return the Baltic Provinces to Russia. The now position cannot be changed by losing Poland. Russia will be able io form a united homogeneous Empire. . Germany will be unable to allow Constantinople to be handed to Russia, }>ut is willing to arrange with Turkey that all warships and morchantmcu imay use the Straits—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BERNSTORFF'S MACHINATIONS OVER THE AMERICAN NOTE REMARKABLE REVELATIONS OF THE INNER HISTORY. (Rec. Deconibor 26) 7.30 p.m.) rn ,m i rn ■i> nvr v , London, December 25. iho Daily Chromclc s York correspondent reveals the inner lii - tory of the Note, (hie to tho machinations of Count Bernstorff (German Ambassador 111 U.S.A.). ' At a recent Cabinot meeting President 'Wilson announced that if the evidence regarding tbo sinking of the Marina and similar cases "were proved, ho, favoured the immediate severance of relations with Germany. The majority of. tho Cabinet agreed with him. Tho Stato Department informed Count Bernstorff of Cabinet's decision. Bernstorff then persuaded tlie Kaiser to transfer tho Peace Note, which ho intended to sond through His Holinc-.s the Popo, to neutrals, including America, to President Wilson, who would thus be forced.' to ignore the peace message and dismiss Bernstorff, and recall Mr. Gerard (American Ambassador in Berlin), or postpone action in tho hope that peace discussions would delay submarino atrocities. Meanwhile Germany announced that if tho negotiations were unsuccessful submarine fright-ful-ness would be increased, and suggesting that American commerce would bo crippled. Britain in the meanwhile teas arranging the mobilisation of her mercantile fleet, causing the United States to fear that it would result in the disorganisation of commerce. Tho President therefore decided to ask each telligerent for statements regarding their objectives. The same Note contained an implied warning to Germany, hue Bernstorff persuaded Wilson that it would be dishonourable to act against Germany until tho peace negotiations were finished. = The Gennans are now endeavouring to make Wilson tho depository of the pretended secret terms, thus scaling Wilson's mouth and making a diplomatic Break impossible. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SENT THE WRONG NOTE IN A FIT OF MENTAL ABERRATION (Rec. December 26, 7.30 p.m.) London, December 25. The significance of the possible results of the American Note is the dominant theme of public discussion. There were many pulpit references to the subject, including a striking denunciation by the Dean of Westminster Abbey, who said: "It was our resolve, God helping us, to overthrow the military brigandage of Europe. The President of the United States, after taking two years to study the question, seems to believe that the object of the two groups of belligerents is tho same. President Wilson knows that Germany refused every overture to prevent the war; organised atrocities in Belgium; sank the 'Lusitania; murdered Captain Fryatt, and connived at tho Armenian, massacres, and yet opines that the nations leagued to disarm this evil demoniac have the same aims as the perpetrators of the historic crimes. President-Wilson, in a fit of mental aberration, must have sent the wrong Note, or entirely misapprehends the European situation."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . BRITAIN WARNED * AGAINST A HASTY OR ILL-CONSIDERED REPLY.! ! London, December 25. Tho "Manchester Guardian," referring to the criticisms of the American. Note, warns Britain against a hasty or ill-considered reply. It believes that the Note, if wisely answered, will only help the Allies' cause, and emphasise the weakness of the German position. It says: "It seems to have been forgotten that this country, in an identical Note, has addressed all belligerents, and a careful reading of the passage in which President Wilson suggests that both sides are fighting for the same objects reveals that President Wilson said that this is what belligerents toll their own countrymen. "This passage, read by Germany with any humour, might be taken. as severe sarcasm." The "Guardian" warns the Allies against being betrayed into playing the German game if they put themselves wrong with America.— Aus.-N.Z: Cable Assn. GERMANY UNDERGOING A PROCESS OF RAPID DECAY London, December 25. A neutral traveller from Hamburg says that Germany is undergoing a process of rapid' decay. - Every morning the authorities of Hamburg destroy thousands of: placards displaying inscriptions such as: "The People are Dyiiig of Hunger," "We Want Peace," "Down With the War." At Berlin revolution is knocking at the door, and it is difficult for tho police to maintain order. The streets are daily ETled with women protesting, threatening, and demanding the end of the war. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assu. HEAVY BETTING ON BERLIN EXCHANGE ABOUT PEACE. . , Rotterdam, December ?o. There was heavy betting on tho Berlin Exchange on Saturday that peace will be signed before August.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. "WE MUST NOT BEGIN TO DISCUSS PEACE AMONGST OURSELVES." ■ 1 Sydney, December 26. Mr. Joseph' Cook, M.P., in a speech, said he regarded tho German peaco efforts as a mockery. "Wo must not begin to discuss peace amongt ourselves while Germany proceeds with her devilish designs, to overpower tho world."—Press Assn. - PAN-GERMANS AFFECT A DESIRE TO CONTINUE THE WAR. (Reo, December 26, 7-.20 p.m.) Am6tordam, December 25. The German Press indicates that President Wilson's Note is not welcomed by_ the Pan-Germans, who affect a desire to continue the war, intensified by frightfulness. They declare that America desire's to save tho Anglo-Saxons by influencing Germany and' snatching away from her tho prize of victory. On the other hand the Chancellor's (Bethmami-Hollweg'sJ supporters see no fundamental differences between Germany's and Wilson's proposals,—"The Times," SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLICS SUPPORT WILSON. (Rec. December 26, 7.30 p.m.) Rome, December 2;j Brazil, Argentine, and Chile have adhered to President M'ilson's Note.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SWEDEN WILL PROBABLY ISSUE A PEACE NOTE. (Rec.December 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 25. It is reported from Berne that Sweden is disposed to make a. proposal to the belligerents similar to the Swiss. The Swedish Minister in Paris has no information, but considers it logical that Scandinavians should identify themselves with President Wilson's Note.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.