IMPORTANT CONFERENCE OF ENEMY RULERS AND MINISTERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2970, 6 January 1917, Page 7

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE OF ENEMY RULERS AND MINISTERS

London, January 4. rho newspapers attach importance to tho practically simultaneous conference of enemy, sovereigns iu Vienna and of their Foreign Ministers in Berlin, in addition to the conference- of Parliamentary Presidents,- and also tho special session of the Reichstag in the middle of January, to discuss the Allies' refusal of the peace offer. The "Evening Standard" states that, tho Allies anticipate a further German Note, iu moro conciliatory torms.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. j HIS HOLINESS'ASKED TO INTERVENE TO SECURE PEACE, i m, . . Romo, January 4. ] ills Austrian Emperor s special conrier has arrived, bearing a. message ap- -, pealing for tho Pope's intervention, for peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. c mi t, -, r~- . Rome, January 4. J. ne Emperor and impress of Austria have requested tho Pope to intervene to securo peace—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. 1 -. i THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT WANTS PEACE TO AVOID ; ECONOMIC RUIN \ , < (Rec. January 5, 9.25 p.m.) ~,, . , London, Januarv 4: Ine 'Daily Telegraph's" Rotterdam correspondent states that a neutral from Berlin in close touch with tho German Government and diplomatic circles, and whoso wise judgment and exceptional knowledge of German affairs had been proved previously, interprets the peace manoeuvre as follows: Tho German Government wants poaco in order to prevent economic ruin, llie immediate motive was the internal situation, and was primarily due to tho failure of the potato crop, when it bceamo necessary to take special steps to keep a hold on the people. The rulers,do not regard the military position as dangerous, but fear that civilian_ conscription will spell economio ruin, although it was necessary in order to'continue this war. Ho adds: "The mass of tho German people now regard tho Government as guiltless for the future of the warfare. If the Government had not acted thus they might not nave (lived through the spring."- " - x MAXIMILIAN HARDEN PLEADS FOR PEACE BY AGREEMENT. (Rec. Oanuary 5, B.SO p.m.) ' . London, January i. Herr Maxiinilan Harden, in a speech at Berlin, pleaded for peace by agreement. He said the enemy Had miscalculated Germany's strength, and contrariwise Russia's strength was inexhaustible. England's hunger catchword was without foundation, but Franco's'lack of men was balanceamV by British troops.—Renter. PUNISHING ENGLAND .WITH PRINTERS' INK. (Rec. January 5, 8.50 p.m.) '- ' '. , . Amsterdam, January 4. German newspapers are discussing the punishing of England. Tho notorious Karl Peters suggests a great expedition against Egypt; fleets of Zeppelins to bomb tho Admiralty and the House of Commons,' where poisonous speeches and libels abound. • Herr Zimmermahn, tho colonial enthusiast, suggests seizing the Gold Coast, Sudan, and Nigeria, admitting, however, that Australasia could not be held. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' / "SUPPOSE THE ENEMY-ACCEPT TERMS FAVOURABLE TO •■■ US?"(Rec. January 5, 8.50 p.m.) London, January 4. Lord Selborne, who wa& Minister of Agriculture in the Asquith Ministry, in a speech, said it was erroneous and mischievous to prophesy that an early peaco was pure delusion. Suppose tho enemy accept terms favourable to us ?— Renter.