BREST LITOVSK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4757, 3 January 1918, Page 5

BREST LITOVSK.

THE PEACE OVERTURES.

ALLIES TAKING NOTICE.

WILL EXCHANGE VIEWS BEFORE REPLYING.

NEW TEMPER IN CERMANY.

Australian and N.Z. cable Association. LONDON, Jan. 1. lhe Daily Express Petrograd correspondent says the Bolsheviki are now inclined to allow the Constituent Assembly to meet on Wednesday. Baron Kaiserling, former naval attache at the German Embassy, and an old friend of the ex Czar, is attached to the naval mission. Interviewed, lie admitted freely that Germany was feeling the pinch, but matters were not so bad as painted. There was a certain war weariness in Germany, but she was prepared to hold out for a long time if necessary. America might be dangerous, but the U-boats would settle her. ' German merchant vessels have now free access to .Russian waters. The People-’s Commissaries are taking precautions to guarantee them against British submarines. The first German commercial squadron is expected in time for tlie Russian Christmas.

The Daily Chronicle says: It is recognised in Government ’ circles that the peace proposals at Brest Litovsk constitute a ndw fact whereof official cognisance must be taken. . Even with Count C'zernin’s limitations, Germany’s acceptance of the Russian formulas indicates , a new temper. Concrete proposals have now taken the place of loose talk and will receive the serious consideration of the Allies.

Britain, France, America and Italy are already exchanging views. It has not been decided yet whether Mr Lloyd-George will visit M. Clemenceau. Meanwhile the British Government is preparing for a prolonged war. FRANCE’S STERN ATTITUDE. WILL NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH PEACE MOVE. ' PARIS, Jan. 1. M. Clemenceau has received a delegation of Socialists, including M. Thomas, ancl refused a request to grant the Socialists passports for Petrograd with a view to preventing a separate peace. M. Clemenceau added that he did not doubt the Socialists’ patriotism and .mod intentions, but the situation at Petrograd was too troubled. If passports were given many would assert that France was participating .in pourparlers with a view to peace, which' was by no means in the Allies’ mind in the absence of serious i roposals from the enemy. ' M. Clemenceau said there was no reason to believe the Allies had changed their view since the Stockholm Conference. SOCIALISTS TURN SULKY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Jan. 2, 11.10 p.m.) PARIS, Jan. 1. Owing to M. Clcmcnceau’s refusal to give passports to Petrograd,. M. Renaudel, on behalf of the Unified Socialist Group in the Chamber, read a declaration “That the silence of all the Allied Governments concerning the general principles essential to a lasting peace places the Allies jn a position of moral inferiority which is prejudical to their cause.” His group will henceforth will vote war credits, but will not support the diplomatic conduct of the war.