PEACE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 19

PEACE TALK.

LONDON, May 8. It is authoritatively stated that the Kaiser, in the course of a conversa= „ tion with Mr Gerard (American Am= basssdor at Berlin), adopted the most intimate attitude, declaring that it was Germany's intention to meet American wishes regarding the sub= marines fully, and promising that there should be no further cause of complaint. He suggested that Presi= dent Wilson should now sound the , Allies regarding peace, considering that the expert opinion, based upon Verdun, was that Germany was be= ginning to lose her dash. THE ALLIES SOUNDED. WASHINGTON, May 9. The Ambassadors at London and Paris, having advised President Wilson that the Allies arc disinclined to discuss peace, Mr Wilson has semi-officially intimated that he is unable to mediate unless both sides consent. TWO PMZES CAPTURED. VANCOUVER, May 8. A wireless message from San Diego (California) announces the first entry of the Canadian navy into the war. The cruiser Rainbow captured two prizes in

the Pacific, these being the auxiliary schooners Leonore and Oregon. German ownership is suspected in each case. GENERAL NEWS. LONDON, May 8. The Victoria League will shortly open the Oceana Club for dominion ladies in England for furthering war work. Mr Justice Bailhache Has been appointed chairman of the committee to inquire into the administration of the Royal Flying Corps. George MTver, who was a passenger on the Sussex, describing the torpedoing of the vessel in the English Channel, states that after an hour's delay the vessel's wireless was repaired, and calls for assistance were sent out. The delay in the arrival of the rescuers was due to the wireless operator giving the wrong position of the ship. It is officially announced that Prince Albert has been passed as medically lit, and that he left Buckingham Palace yesterday for the purpose of joining his ship in the fleet. A motion in the House of Commons to modify the Order-in-Council prohibiting. the press from referring to Cabinet proceedings was negatived without a division. Mr W. F. Roch demanded the prosecution of Ministers themselves for divulging Cabinet proceedings, instancing Lord Cur-' zon's and Mr Lloyd George's recent speeches. ~ Colonel Repington writes in The Times: "There is a difference of' opinion as to when a youth is fit for service. Germany recruits youths at 18, but does not compel them to fight before they are 20. Many German youths are serving as volunteers. Though I have examined many German prisoners, I have seen none under 20. Our 1897 class should be regarded as a recruiting reserve, and not drawn upon until the last moment unless the military situation demands it." CONSCRIPTION PROPOSALS. SYDNEY, May 9. The Labour Conference, carried a motion opposing conscription for services abroad, directing all unions and leagues to oppose any Labour members who support conscription, in order to make the matter a clear-cut issue between the forces of " democracy and despotism." The combined Broken Hill unions passed a resolution to meet the inauguration of any form of conscription by calling upon the workers throughout Australia to down tools within 24 hours. VOLUNTARY ENLISTMENT. MELBOURNE, May 9. Senator Pearce (Minister of Defence), replying to resolutions carried at the Interstate'Conference favouring free speech, a free press, free assemblage, and against conscription, said the Government had agreed to the censors taking action in order to prevent speeches or writing detrimental to recruiting. The Government announced right through that it relied upon voluntary enlistment.