PEACE TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 18

PEACE TALK.

In tho House of Commons Mr Balfour stated that in September last the British Government received from Germany a communication sent through a neutral diplomatic channel intimating that Germany would be triad to make a communication to the British Government regarding peace. The Government replied that ii was prepared to receive anv communication Germany desired to make and discuss it with the Allies. The Government informed Trance, Italy, Japan, Russia, arM the United States of the German suggestion "and of its reply. No answer had been returned, and no other' official communication had been received.

A German official explanation regarding Mr Balfour's statement in the House of Commons on December 11 says: ."Germany received a communication so couched as to warrant the belief that it was made with the knowledge of Britain. Germany was ready to answer the inquiry, and considered that a. direct verbal reolv through a neutral was the best course; but Germany's opponents did noth-'ng to facilitate such a direct reply. Mr Balfour's statement was the first news received by Germany that tho Allies were ready to receive a communication from Germany. No further steps were taken by Germany." Mouktar Bey, the Turkish delegate who has been conferring with the British delegates for the exchange of prisoners, has asked the authorities at Constantinople for full powers to negotiate, if possible, a separate peace with "the British delegates. Mouktar admits the fall of Jerusalem.

Reports are reaching Washington that Turkey is willing to talk peace. Following closely on the fall of Jerusalem, as it does, this has convinced the American officials that Turkey is seeking to throw off the Gorman domination. The Teuton promises have been found to bo unrealizable, and disillusionment is working amongst the people. The Neue Freie Presse, in an inspired article, states that Austria wants no increase of territory. _ Hungary, however, refuses to accept the inclusion of Rumania and Serbia in the Monarchy. These points .can easily be settled with Lenin; but the peace conditions must definitely guarantee to Austria all the surplus grain and cattle from Rumania and Serbia. In tho House of Commons Sir George Cave (Homo Secretarv) admitted that the police raids on pacifist organisations had failed to produce direct evidence of Gorman influence or money. Wealthy peace cranks supplied the money. Tho Government wa3 determined to deal with pacifist leaflets which adopted the German view of the orign of the war and recklessly exaggerated tho preseni pos'tion and the number of our casualties.