THE GERMAN PEACE PROPOSALS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 27, 26 October 1917, Page 5

THE GERMAN PEACE PROPOSALS

DETAILS OF A RECENT OVERTURE REJECTED BY THE ALLIES {Rec. October 25, 9 p.m.) London, October 25. The "Daily Telegraph's" Milao correspondent gives the following details of the German peace proposals, which were largely the cause of il. Ribot's resignation, as the Socialists allege that At. Hibot should liavo made the proposals i. publfi:. The German proposal was to restore Belgium, and cede Alsace and i Lorraine in exchange for compensations ■in Russia. . The proposal was made to ill. Briand (ex-Premier) by an. accredited Belgian diplomat from Switzerland, i'rince von Bulow had nothing to do with the proposal, which camo direct fi\oin the German Government through a regular diplomatic channel. 11. Briand inumStuiltely made it a condition that all the Allies must be informed) before a' reply could be given. Mr. Balfour iraa the first Minister to be informed. He thought tho proposal unacceptable, and' conferred with his colleagues. They ngre«<l. The Italian Government gave a similar negative reply. _ All the Allied Governments answered with a full knowledge, of the matter. The pourparlers lasted a month, ending on October 1 1. GermU'.oy was most anxious to have the propoaaif accepted, but it was unaccept«Ble, ;niot only because it implied the' annexation of huge slices of Russia, but contemplated no concessions l to Italy, Serbia, and Rumania, and no disavowal of Germian militarism. Germany's offer of financial aid to Belgium was coupled with dm Bands for privileges at Antwerp and military concessions. The acceptance of. ihe, proposal would have been a huge triumph ior German militarism. —Aus.-Si.IB. Cable Assn.