FUTURE OF BELGIUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16656, 28 September 1917, Page 5

FUTURE OF BELGIUM.

GERMAN OFFER FOR PEACE

QUALIFIED INDEPENDENCE.

A. and N.Z.

ROME. Sept 26.

An official Berlin telegram to Berne states that Baron von Kuhlman, German Foreign Minister, made a verbal communication to the Papal Nuncio at Munich, supplementing the official Note declaring that Germany is willing to make peace on a basis of the evacuation of Belgium, agreeing to the restoration of her independence, and offering to contribute a share of the compensation for war damages. Germany demands that there shall be no repetition of what is termed Belgium's 1314 menace. The administrative separation of the Flemings and the Walloons must be maintained, because it corresponds with the wishes of the majority. Germany must be allowed to develop her economic enterprises in Belgium, especially in Antwerp.

A semi-official explanation of the communication states that the conditions are compatible with Belgium's dignity. Germany avoided mentioning the throne, because that was a domestic matter. Germany would agree to any Government if Belgium accepted her conditions.

According to Vatican sources, the Pope insists on the restoration of the financial conditions and the reconstituting of the absolute independence of Belgium. This is regarded as essential to clear the way to the conclusion of the war. It warns Germany that her indefiniteness regarding Belgium's future is a serious obstacle to a just, Christian, and durable peace, making a round table conference an utter impossibility.

The Agenzia Xazionale states that the King of Bavaria thanked the Pope for bis Note, assuring him that the whole German people aspired to peace.

VIEWS OF YON TIRPITZ.

"JUSTICE DEALT OUT."

AMSTERDAM, Sept. 26.

Admiral von Tirpitz, addressing the German patriotic party in Berlin, which desires peace based on wide annexations, violently attacked England. Von Tirpitz announced that peace was already beckoning, and England had already been vanquisher/, thanks to the submarine?. Ho said that General von Moltke, shortly before his death, told him that he always \e\t that Vie Wd taken t\\e s\&e ot 'Belgium in this war, and that justice, not injustice, had been dealt out to Belgium. Continuing, Von .Tirpiu said that Belgium had never been neutral, but bad always been a bridgehead of England on the Continent. Now Germany, not England, must become the protecting Power. The enemy must pay Germany an adequate indemnity. " Military victory," he said, " is already ours, political victory we shall gain when we so desire." The meeting passed a resolution against the Reichstag majority's tyranny, the feeble attitude of the Government, and a peace of renunciation. The Vossische Zeitung says that the Government, at the Reichstag's behest, will hand Belgium to England. SECRET UNDERSTANDING. BERLIN AND THE VATICAN. I (Received 7.30 p.m.) A. and Reuter. ROME, Sept. 26. A semi-official Vatican organ believes that a concerted secret understanding exists as regards the conditions of peace upon which Berlin wonld like the Holy See to sound the allied Chancelleries as soon as possible.