The Peace Crisis

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 5003, 18 October 1918, Page 5

The Peace Crisis

Sensational Reports on inns’ Attitude “Kaiser lias tedicated; Sermaiif Capitulated” Latest Reports Fail to Confirm Rumours Effect of Wilson’s Second Siote to Berlin . Hun Hopes Ciwesi a Hold Soiaohe (UnitFid Pies* Association-— Copyright,.)

Press Association —Extraordinary LONDON, Oct. 17. The following Reuter message dated, October 16, 5.15 p.m., has been received: The Rotterdam Courant announces that Germany has capitulated, and the Kaiser has abdicated. A second Reuter message from London, via Vancouver, says the Foreign Office, without confirmation, reports the Kaiser’s abdication, but well-informed circles are not disposed to reject (Paccept) it. Australian and NZ. Cable. Association. NEW YORK, October 16. The French press reports that rumors aro current that the Kaiser will abdicate in favor of his grandson, William Edwan. NEW YORK, October 16. The United Press’ London correspondent state’s there are-unconfirmed reports that Berlin has accepted President Wilson’s conditions conditional on the safeguarding of the German people. LONDON. October 16. It is reported that Germany is replying, accepting President Wilson’s general conditions.. Amsterdam advices say that Germany’s reply to President Wilson is expected to-night. It will accept the terms. , . . A movement has been started m Berlin for an immediate discontinuance of submarining operations. WASHINGTON, Oct. 16. Reports from Holland state that it is believed that Germany lias offered to give up submarine warfare. AMSTERDAM, Oct. 16. It is announced that the German Supreme Command meets during the week-end to deliberate upon mobilisation of the national strength and raising the military age.

“OUR PURPOSE WILL BE ATTAINED.” MR ASQUITH SUPPORTS PRESIDENT WILSON. PRUSSIAN MILITARISM WILL BE DESTROYED. Australian and N.Z. Cable A&oaoiation. (Received October IS, 12.20 a.m.) LONDON, October 16. Mr Asquith, speaking at the National Liberal Club, said that though the war was not ended the enemy’s resistance was broken and we may confidently say that our purposes will be attained. “We have,” lie added, “been delivered from the evils by which the world was beset.. The British navy’s ceaseless vigilance has drained drop by drop the enemy*s reservoir of power. The enemy’s overtures were sincere in the sense that they came from the people who had given up the game. President Wilson’s reply was exactly what was required. ’“We must not imperil our ascendency on sea or land or give breathing time to the enemy, who cannot be trusted to act honorably or humanely. “We never intended to humiliate or destroy the German people. Our main objective was to destroy Prussian militarism. “We must be sure now that the German Government is not the old Government dressed in a democratic garb.”

THE INSINCERE HUNS. LEINSTER SUNK AFTER DESPATCH OF PEACE NOTE. U-BOAT’S' DELIBERATE INSTRUCTIONS'. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, LONDON, October 16. The Government possesses proof that the submarine which sank the Leinster received instructions to destroy the Anglo-Irish passenger service after Prince Max had sent lus first peace Note to President Wilson. It is probable that President Wilson knew this when he sent his reply with reference to the atrocities. . Mr MacNamara stated m the House of Commons that the Leinster was not escorted because she had a speed of twenty-three knots. The Evening News says that the British Government holds conclusive proof that the submarine which sank the Leinster was sent out with deliberate instructions to destroy passenger boats running between England and Ireland after the Chancellor bad sent his peace Note to President Wilson.

ElO EVENTS ARE AT HAND TENSE ATMOSPHERE IN LONDON. EXPECTED EARLY CESSATION OF FIGHTING. United Service. LONDON, Oct. 16 (morning). The atmosphere is tense with a feeling that nig events are at hand. Mixed elation and anxiety prevail. Although the general expectation is that fighting will shortly terminate, there is a complete public determination in France and Britain to dictate terms even if another campaign is necessary. President Wilson's reply is interpreted to mean that Foch must dictate the conditions, which include the handing over of part of the German frontier fortress system, and the surrender of the German army. Then will come lengthy negotiations for peace, which may collapse on such points. as freedom of the seas, no indemnity, or return of the colonies. LONDON. October 16. Mr Churchill, speaking at Manchester, said the Allies whole-heat tedly endorsed President Wilson’s reP LONDON, October. 16. Mr Balfour believes that the German advances are really sincere. Keuter’s Telegrams. VANCOUVER, Oct. 16. A London message states: Mr. Balfour speaking at the National Liberal Club said: “Germany’s overtures are sincere. They come from a people who have given up. Australian and N.Z. CaMe Association. LONDON, Oct. 16. Mr. Bonar Law, in the House of Commons, replying to Mr. Houston, said it was undesirable to discuss piecemeal the conditions on which alone am armistice can be granted to Germany. . Replying to Mr. Runcmian he said he could not discuss the Ger-man-American communiques until a definite decision had been taken.

ANTS-KASSER -DEMONSTRATIONS IN BERLSN. HOHENZOLLERN STATUE SMASHED. DISAFFECTION AND MUTINY IN THE ARMY. Australian and N.Z. Ca>«* Association. (Received Oct. 17, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 16. The Daily Mail’s Hague correspondent states that violent anti-dynas-tic manifestations are occurring at Berlin. ‘Large crowds paraded the Unter der Linden, and demonstrated before the Palace and smashed the Hohenzollern statues. The police were powerless to suppress the demonstration. _ Dutch reports state that- tlie Germans are crossing the frontier at Limburg. They state that disaffection and mutiny are spreading in the army which now is only half trustworthy.

HUN HOPES OF PEACE.EFFECT OF WILSON’S SECOND NOTE. LIKE A COLD DOUCHE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received Oct. 17, 11.45 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, Oct. 16. President Wilson’s reply caused am intense impression in Germany. The papers point out that it had the effect of a. cold douche on the hopes of peace engendered by the first Note. Some newspapers comment in. tho sharpest terms, and say that President Wilson’s language ha s become excited. The Socialists on Tuesday decided, in view of the situation, that Prince Max must continue as Chancellor. It is expected that Max will make a decision to-day on President Wilson’s latest Note. Owing to the obscurity of the situation the Reichstag ' will not meet to-day. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Eeuter’s. (Wireless.) (R-eceived Oct. 17, 11.45 p-.m.) r LONDON, Oct. 16. Berlin newspapers publish Prince Max’s letter to Prince Hohenlohe, also Max’s explanation in declaring that he had always combatted PanGermanism and had favored in February, 1918, a unanimous declaration regarding Belgium, also a clearei fulfilment of the Brest Litovsk treaty in the sense of right. Ho adds that he was in favor m 1917 ol equal suffrage and of his present democratic programme. Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. AMSTERDAM, Oct. 16. The German Federal Council agreed to alter the Constitution in order to make tlie Reichstag’s assent necessary for the declaration of War and the signing of peace.

LATEST NEWS. DENIAL OF SENSATIONAL REPORT. CAPITULATION REPORTS WITHOUT FOUNDATION. United Services. (Received Oct. 17, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 17. The Daily Mail understands . that tlie capitulation reports aro without •foundation. Reuter’s Telegrams. LONDON. Oct. 16. The Foreign Office at ten to-night stated that it had no official information on the subject of the reported German capitulation. AMSTERDAM, Oct. 16. The Rotterdam Courant is unable to obtain confirmation and withdraws its bulletin reporting the capitulation of Germany and the abdication of the Ivaiser. LONDON. Oct. 16. It is officially denied that Germany has capitulated. 1

Australian and. N.Z. Gable Association and Eeuter's. (Received Oct. 18. 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 17 (1.35. a.m.), The Press Bureau is officially informed that reports published in the afternoon that Germany had capitulated were without foundation. (Received Oct. 17, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 16. The Hague correspondent of the New York Times cables :—‘ “I cam state authoritatively-.that Germany’s answer to President Wilson will say that she accepts his terms provided Germany’s interests and those of her people are guaranteed.”