PEACE TALK

Otago Witness, Issue 3348, 15 May 1918, Page 17

PEACE TALK

ALLEGED PROPOSALS BY

GERMANY

A MARE'S NEST. . MISCHIEVOUS PACIFISTS. (By Cable.) In reference to the German peace offensive, evidently based on the receipt of certain proposals through a neutral source, the Central News Hague correspondent reports that M. Colyn, former Dutch War Minister, carried von Kuhlmann's (German Foreign Minister) proposals to London. German circles in Holland declare that Germany's terms are already known in Downing Street, also that the terms include that the status in the East_ shall remain as at present, the renunciation of German claims in the West, Austria to make concessions, an international conference to settle the Balkan questions, and all the belligerents to decide colonial questions in Africa and Asia Minor. Germany, while abandoning Kiau-Chau, demands economic concessions in China, the restoration of Belgium, autonomy for Alsace-Lorraine within the German Federation, and the submission of colonial questions to an international conference. MR BALFOUR'S EMPHATIC DENIAL. Mr Balfour, in the House of Commons, denied that the enemy had recently made peace offers. He added: "No neutral representative in Great Britain has made a tentative or informal peace suggestion. The whole thing is a mare's nest." THE VATICIAN'S POSITION. The Vatican denies the rumour of a Papal Whitsuntide peace move, adding that a favourable opportunity does not seem near. The Pope has ordered priests throughout the world to celebrate mass on the 29th of June, praying for peace, and that a fraternal spirit may soon return to all people. His Holiness concludes by expressing the ardent hope that among all nations justice and peace may exchange a kiss. .PACIFIST ACTIVITY. The House of Lords debated Lord Denbigh's motion deprecating pacifist activity and urging an energetic propaganda to counteract pacifist organisations, many of which were inspired from enemy sources. Lord Haldane declared that the country need not fear the pacifists. The nation's heart was sound regarding Avar aims. The War Aims Committee should, however, educate public opinion regarding the urgency of combating German penetration after the war. The country should make complete industrial preparations to safeguard our position. Lord Lansdowne agreed. He said it was needful to instruct the people better concerning German methods and war aims. He denied that he had ever advocated peace by surrender. Lord Denbigh seemed- to think there must not be peace by negotiation, but peace would not drop from the clouds. Lord Lansdowne added that Lord Denbigh relied on a knock-out blow, but the country had not been told how and when the blow would be delivered or the cost thereof. Lord Denbigh would not have peace with an unchastened Germany, but Germany was already chastened last autumn, because she tailed in . the main initial war objects. There was a great and increasing respectable body of opinion in the Kingdom, who were earnestly desiring to negotiate for peace. Similarly in Austria and Germany. Lord Lansdowne said he wished to encourage that kind of opinion. Lord Denbigh's policy might drive the British people into a most dangerous mood. He rejoiced that reasonable people could still be found here; otherwise he would despair of the country.

Lord Beaverbrook agreed that pacifist activities were considerable before the German offensive. The Government must and -would combat them when they were renewed, but could not stop the supply of paper, because the Government's policy was to not interfere with the freedom of speech in the press if consistent with the prosecution of the war. Lord Curzon said overmuch was made of the pacifist propaganda. Certain contemptible "rags" disseminated dangerous doctrines, but generally the people's heart was sound. The Government always envisaged the possibility of an honourable peace by negotiation, but there was no hope of such until Germany's military spirit was broken. Several efforts to inaugurate peace meetings in England on the sth failed. At Finsbury Park (London) disorderly scenes occurred, owing to groups of men parading, carrying-flags and singing "The Red Flag." They had a warm reception when they left the park. Their flags were snatched away from them, their clothes torn, and several were rolled in the mud.

Fifteen thousand persons assembled in Market square, Leicester, where Mr RamBay MacDonald, M.P., had been announced to speak. Counter-demonstrators rushed the platform, and the police ha dto rescue Mr MacDonald and convey him in a taxicab to safety. In the House of Commons Mr Bonar La-vr, asked to account for tha decreased subscriptions to war bonds, said he was informed that it was partly dua to the Pacifist attempts to discredit the war loan. EMPEROR KARL'S LETTERS. The Manchester Guardian's correspondent reveals that the Emperor Charles, in his second letter—which is more important than the first, declaring that he was convinced that he could induce Germany to make peace provided the Entente demands

were restricted to Alsace and Lorraine — assumed that all the occupied territories would be evacuated and Belgian sovereignty restored unconditionally, but hinted that Germany demanded certain compensations at Russia's expense. The Imperial writer stated that he was already assured of Bulgaria's acceptance, and asked that the letter be confidentially and loyally respected. M. Poincarc suggested that Austria should cede Trieste and Trentino in exchange for Silesia. The Emperor pointed out that France did not occupy Silesia, and therefore this was the initial obstacle to negotiations. The dossier includes an important Austrian statement that if Germany proved intractable, and an armistice was arranged between Austria and the Entente, there would be a revolution in Germany. M. Ribot rejected the proposals because they would mean a rupture with Italy. Mr Lloyd George hesitatingly agreed to a negative reply, on which Baron Sonnino insisted. Mr Lloyd George emphasised the importance of the proposals, and urged the desirability of not losing a favourable opportunity for peace. M. Poincare objected to all negotiations, declaring that a complete military victory would alone end the war.

Some i members of the Foreign Affairs Committee who investigated the dossier declare that the Emperor's proposals would be turned down without discussion but for Mr Lloyd George's significant common*, that Czernin's peace offer of April 3, 1917, was made four days after the Emperor's letters were sent.

Both Russia and President Wilson were informed after the proposals had been rejected and too late for Mr Wilson's opinion to have any effect. It is also considered possible that the rejection made M. Kerensky's position impossible. Both Belgium and Rumania favoured meeting von Lanckner (Germany's emissary in Switzerland). The Foreign Affairs Committee of the French Chamber of Deputies considers that the Austrian documents and other evidence regarding peace conversations never at any time afforded an opportunity for the conclusion of a peace acceptable to France or to her allies.