GERMANY’S PEACE PLOT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4526, 18 April 1917, Page 5

GERMANY’S PEACE PLOT.

REVIVAL ON WORLD-WIDE SCALE. AUSTRIAN OVERTURES TO RUSSIA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association COPENHAGEN, April 16. A correspondent states that Gerany is reviving her peace plot on a world-wide scale, utilising German .Socialists to approach Russian Socialists. Reports from Vienna indicate that Count Czernin has openly invited Russia to rjegotiate. Italian and Dutch telegrams show that Austria is making active efforts to secure peace with Russia. Count Czernin has submitted definite proposals to the Provincial Government. He also appealed to the to institute a peace proposal. Count Czernin has given a Socialists' deputation special passports to go to Stockholm.

Eighty Americans from Vienna have arrived at Zurich. They include several Embassy officials. They believe that all classes in Austria-Hun-gary desire peace.

WAR-SICK AUSTRIA.

DEFINITE OVERTURES TO RUSSIA.

THE WAY OPEN TO PEACE

Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received April 1. 6.15 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, April 17

The Austrian Government has authorised a statement practically amounting to a peace offer to Russia. It says:—

“The Monarchy learns frmn the Russian Government’s manifesto of iJhe 10th that Russia, like Ans-tro-Hungary, desires an honorable peaco without desiring domination over other peoples. It may, therefore, be stated that Austro-Hun-gary are similarly striving for a peace guaranteeing' tueir existence, honor, and possibility of development. “The Monarchy i s convinced that

its ’claims do not conflict with those

of Russia. The latter has stated —at she is only figjnting in defence of the freedom of her people. Russia is no longer compelled to fight with that object, and therefore it should not be difficult to establish an understanding between the Central Powers and Russia, especially as the Austrian Emperor, in agreement with his allied "monarchs, desires to live in future, in peace and friendship with the' Russian people.” Reuter adds: '‘This pronouncement in favor of peace with Russia causes no surprise, as it is well understood tiiat only Germany's refusal to cooperate prevented the issue of definite peaco proposals on the occasion of tlie recent meeting of the German and Austrian monarchs. To-day’s declaration suggests that Austria is reaching the end of her tether and is seeking a separata peace with Russia, -ipe resignation 0 f Count Alar bine, trie Austrian Premier, on grounds of liealth, announced to-day, is probably connectable with the new peace move.” NO DANCER OF RUSSIAN ACCEPTANCE. GERMAN-AUSTRIAN RUPTURE EXPECTED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received April 18, 1.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, April 17. The Tribune’s London correspondent says that although, there is no danger of Austria’s offer 40 Russia being entertained, fibe action is interpreted as a forerunner of the dismemberment of the Central Powers’ alliance.