Outwitting the Peace Plotters

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5002, 17 October 1918, Page 5

Outwitting the Peace Plotters

Allies Reject Enemy’s IPusnse "Balt. 1 Entente Supremacy Must let foe Endangered Fetch and British Admiralty Would Fix Terms (United Exass &BBOcistio» —Hotiy right.)

“NO RELAXATION OR HESITATION. 53 WILSON MAKES MORE DEFINITE STATEMENT. VICTORY NOW SEEMS TO BE IN SIGHT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Oct. 16, 11 p.iii.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 15. President Wilson lias issued _ a statement appealing for subscriptions to the Liberty Loan. He says: “Relaxation or hesitation now would mean defeat when victory seems to be in sight, and it would mean years of war instead of peace on our own terms.” NEW YORK, Oct. 15. The general press comment throughout the country enthusiastically supports President Wilson’s Note and emphasises that the answer means the downfall of Kaiserism and unconditional surrender. The exception is that section of the press which endorses Mr. Roosevelt’s protest against any debate with the criminals. The New York Times, commenting on President Wilson’s Note, says : “The President’s answer to Germany will stir the blood of the American . people and command their instant assent. It is America’s answer given by a great American, and voices the deep conviction of the whole American people. It is marvel unmatched in the chronicles of men that this unassuming gentleman, who never wore a sword in his life, should write the word that topples from his ancient throne in a far-off land the world’s greatest military despot. An American pen has for ever stilled the rattling of the terrible German sabre. War feel sure the President has not reached his momentous conclusion without a full understanding with the Powers associated with us.” THE GERMAN VIEW. “ARMISTICE FIRST. THEN EVACUATION.” .NEW SUBMARINE CAMPAIGN THREATENED. (Received Oct 16. 7.30 p.m.) BERNE. Oct. 15. A meeting’of the Bavarian Socialist Party passed a resolution urging the Reichstag to appoint a _ State Court to try all, even the highest, who are guilty of frustrating peace efforts, also demanding self-govern-ment for the German. States. Herr Delbrueck, former Home Secretary, has been appointed Chief of the Kaiser’s Civil Cabinet. Owing to Germany’s acceptance of President Wilson’s fourteen points, the Prussian Poles have issued a manifesto demanding a united independent Poland, with access to the sea. In this connection the Lokal Anzeiger cynically comments:—“The Government will know how to reply to this new-found courage.” German press comments on the reply to President Wilson reveal how wide is the gulf between the belligerents, despite Germany’s avowed agreement with President Wilson’s terms. The comment of the newspapers is—“ Armistice first, evacuation afterwards.” The papers foreshadow lengthy pourparlers, after which, if unsuccessful from. the German viewpoint, Germany will not he defenceless even after evacuation. The statement that Germany is preparing for an intensified submarine campaign is confirmed by various announcements in Germany. For instance the Reinische Westfaelische assures its readers that submarinism will reach its climax during the winter and will produce an economic crisis in the Entente countries of unexpected dimensions. Captain Perseus, writing in the Tageblatt, speaks of an impending great increase in submarines, to which Germany confidently looks, should the Entente refuse peace. LONDON. Oct. 15. Herr Erzeberger, Socialist leader, in an interview, said he considered the Leinster tragedy extraordinarily regrettable. There would he the deepest sympathy for innocent women and children. His view always had been the same since the sinking of the Lusitania. It was high time the submarine campaign on present lines ceased. IF HUNS SEEK ARMISTICE. POCH AND BRITISH NAVAL AUTHORITIES TO SETTLE TERMS. WILSON’S REPLY REFLECTS ENTENTE VIEWS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Oct. 16, 11.25 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 15. Reuter learns that President Wilson’s reply practically reflects the view of the entire Entente Powers. (Received Oct. 16. 10 p.m.) It is understood that Focli and the British naval authorities have the right of giving decisive advice in settling the terms if an armistice becomes expedient. WASHINGTON. Oct. 15. The Allies’ military officials interpret President Wilson’s reply as a demand for unconditional surrender from Germany. President Wilson will leave unanswered the Turkish and Austrian peace notes until a further move on Germany’s part.

Australian and N.Z. Cable LONDON, Oct. 15. President Wilson, in his reply to the German Peace Note, said it would be necessary, in order that there be no possibility of misunderstanding, that the President should very solemnly call the attention of the Government of Germany to the language and plain intention of one of the terms of peace which the German Government had now accepted, as follows:—“The destruction of every arbitrary power anywhere that can separately, secretly, and of its single choice disturb the peace of the world, or if it cannot be presently destroyed, at least the reduction to virtual impotence of the power which hitherto controlled the German nation of the sort here described.” It was within the choice of the German nation to alter it. The President’s words just quoted naturally constitute a condition precedent- to peace if peace is to come by the action of the German people themselves. WASHINGTON. Oct. 15. President Wilson’s frank, straightforward declaration has been received with the greatest demonstrations of satisfaction and relief in Congress, diplomatic circles, and throughout the country. It is significant that Mr. Lansing made it clear that President Wilson’s Note is a decision, not merely a reply, and does not permit further discussion. Therefore the war will be pressed with the greatest vigor until the enemv surrenders unconditionally. There is much comment on President Wilson’s adroitness in countering the German move, by pointing out that in accepting all "points and principles in his speeches since Jan-, nary,Germany had practically agreed to “the destruction of 'every arbitrary power.” Thus Germany’s autocratic Government had signed its own death-warrant. Mr. W. H. Taft, interviewed concerning President Wilson’s answer, paid: Americans will read the President’s reply to the German Note with a deep sigh of relief. The President declines to grant an armistice while brutality is going on, and cites the Fourth of July speech, which makes the destruction of tlio Hohenzollerns condition precedent to granting peace to Germany. Thus peace by negotiation, which threatened, is far removed. The all-liigli-est must throw off the mask. The battle goes on. The throne of the Hohenzollerns is the forfeit. We should be profoundly thankful. UNREST SN H UNLAND. DENIAL OF KAISER’S ABDICATION. GERMAN NEWSPAPERS CRITICISE WILHELM. Beuter’s Telecrams. (Received Oct. 16, 7.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM. Oct. 15. It is semi-officially denied in Berlin that the Kaiser intends to abdicate. „ , _ BERNE, October 10. The Socialist Confress at Munich unanimously demanded the Kaiser s and Crown Prince’s abdication. (Received Oct. 16, 7.40 p.m.) BERNE. Oct. 10. . German newspapers are extraordinarily outspoken in discussing internal affairs., , . , n . The Schwabeisclie Tagewacht states: “We in future will speak with much less respect concerning Wilhelm, for the spirit of the German people is daily becoming more anti-Monarchist.” Many journals formerly pan-Ger-man with annexationists’ sympathies are now demanding that the autliois of the submarine warfare be made publicly responsible for their crime and blunders which caused America s entry into the war. The Times. (Received Oct. 16. 7-30 P ' the HAGUE, Oct. 10. Blank despair describes the workers’ outlook, and the prospect ot country workers, who are vide y aware three months ago that the game was up, and are now irresistibly inclined to peace and ready to overwhelm all obstacles. Pcssimisbroods over Germany like a thunder cloud. The people on the Western frontier are asking why the Govern inent does not conclude peace as the only way to stop raids, which aio making life unendurable. Australian and N.Z. Cable Rotation. WASHINGTON, October 10. It is officially learned that Hmdenburg not Prince Maximilian asked the German Government to icques In cc from, President Wilson. the AMSTERDAM. October 15 Tbe German Conservative laity %^' Gcr v“l are a coup, de-mam grtW view to overt WvMg osta blishmg would continue tlie war. _ frank opinions from CANADA. * LEAVE KAISER TO FOCH! Australian and N.Z. Cable A^atloa (Received Oct^iy Note, and would have prefaced an outspoken declaration demanumg unconditional surrendei. Sir Samuel Hughes, says.“frprmanv is simply inviting the Allies to walk into her parlor. Any question of armistice j to he directly referred to Marshal Foch.” Sir George Foster says:— “The latest Note has relieved the irritation at the prospect ot diplomacy and of losing what o arms have gained.”