WILSON’S PEACE MOVE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11107, 27 December 1916, Page 5

WILSON’S PEACE MOVE.

DENOUNCED FROM THE PULPIT. WARNING TO GERMANY. (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Tuesday, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 25. The significance of possible results of the American Note is the dominant theme of. public discussion. There were many pulpit references to the Note, including a striking denunciation by ‘the Dean of Westminster Abbey, who said: “It is our resolve, God helping us, to overthrow the military ■ brigandage of Europe. The President of the United States, after two years of study of the question, seems to believe that the object of the two groups of belligerents are the same. President Wilson knows that Germany refused every overture to prevent war. She organised the atrocities in Belgium, sank the Lusitania, murdered Captain Pryatt, and connived with the Armenian massacres. Yet the Note opines that the nations leagued to disarm this demon have the same aims as the-perpetrators of historic crimes. President Wilson in a fit of mental aberration has sent a wrong Note or he entirely misapprehends the European situation.” NOTE »S INNER HISTORY. The “Daily Chronicle ’s’ ’ New York . correspondent reveals the inner history of the Note, which was due to the, machinations of Count Bornstorff. At a recent Cabinet meeting President Wilson announced that if the evidence of the sinking of the Carina and similar cases was proved he favoured an immediate severance of relations with Germany. The majority of the Cabinet agreed, and the State Department informed Count Bcrnstorff of the Cabinet’s decision. Count Bernstorlf then persuaded the Kaiser to transfer the Peace Note which he intended to send through the Pope to neutrals, including America. President Wilson was thus forced cither to ignore the peace message, dismiss Bernstorlf, recall Gerard (American Ambassador to Berlin), or postpone action in the hope that peace discussions would delay the submarine atrocities. Meanwhile Germany announced that if the negotiations were unsuccessful submarine frightfulness would be increased, suggesting that American commerce would bo crippled. Britain meanwhile was arranging for the mobilisation of her mercantile fleet, causing the United States to fear the result in the disorganisation of commerce. The President therefore decided to ask each belligerent for statements regarding their objectives. The same Note contained an implied warning to Germany, but Count Bernstorlf persuaded President Wilson that it would be dishonourable to act against Germany until the peace negotiations had finished. The Germans are now endeavouring to to make President Wilson the depository of protended secret tcims, thus sealing President Wilson’s mouth and making a diplomatic break impossible. ITS RECEPTION IN GERMANY; (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Tuesday, 7.20 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, Dec. 25. The German press indicates that President Wilson’s Note was welcomed by the pan-Germans, who affect a desire to continue the war intensified by frightfulness. They declare that xMperica desires to save the Anglo-Saxons by influencing Germany and snatching away the prize of victory. On the other hand the Chancellor’s supporters see no fundamental differences between Germany’s and President Wilson’s proposals.

SOUTH AMERICA JOINS WILSON. (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Tuesday, 7.30 p.m.) ROME, Dec. 25. Brazil, the Argentine and Chili have adhered to President Wilson’s Note. THE POPE’S ATTITUDE. (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Tuesday, 4.30 p.m.) ROME, Dec. 25. A wireless press report states that whilst the Pope is morally supporting President Wilson’s initiative he will not publish any diplomatic Note before the intention of the belligerents is known. Public opinion is solidly against neutral intervention. FRANOE’S RESOLVE. (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Wednesday, 1.25 a.m.) PARIS, Dec. 26. The Senate has passed a resolution stating that Prance cannot make peace while her enemies occupy French territory. The w r ar must be concluded victoriously. SWITZERLAND’S PEACE NOTE. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. Paris, Dec. 25. Switzerland’s Note to the belligerents is less elaborate than Wilson’s, bnt the arguments are the same — humanitarian considerations, neutrals’ sufferings, and fears of an extension of the conflict. The Note arrived in London on Friday anti in Paris on Saturday.

The Petit Parisian says the Note reveals that Switerland took toe initiative, and sounded President Wilson five weeks ago. Wilson therefore felt assured cf the support of Switzerland. The Swiss Note does not invite the belligerents to state objects, and does not deal with the origins of the conflict, merely expressing the hope that the war will soon end. Newspapers comment in courteous appreciation of Switzerland’s attitude during the war period. BETTING ON PEA CIS. Rotterdam, Dec. 25. On the British Exchange on Saturday there was heavy betting that peace would be signed before August.

WHAT RUSSIA PROPOSES TO DO. Renter. Petrograd, Dec. 23.. The Government will reply to the German proposals rejecting them upon the ground of vagueness, insincerity and nnworthiness of serious consideration. AN ITALIAN VIEW. Rome, Dec. 34. Italian newspapers consider President Wilson’s intervention inopportune and his suggestions imparcticable. JAPAN’S DETERMINATION. Tokio, Dec. 23. The Foreign Minister declares that there will be no peace except upon terms upon which the Allies are unanimous. AMERICAS’ NOTE A “PUT UP JOB.” \ Amsterdam, Dec. 23. TheKoelnisch Volkzeitung regards the American Note as, a put up job to enable America, who has put money at the disposal of the Entente to secure good terms for her debtors and enable them to repay flier. The Westphalian Gazette considers that America has been put up to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. President Wilson even threatsns Germany with war. Germany proposed peace, hut does not want America’s mediation.

A SWISS NOTE. London, December 24. Switzerland has presented Notes to the belligerents similar to that promulgated by President Wilson, A DEAN’S VIEW. THE WRONG NOTE SENT. WILSON TAKEN TO TASK. Lopdon, December 23. The signifiance and possible results of the American Note are the dominant theme of public discussion. There were many pulpit rofences, including a striking denunciation by the Dean of Westminster Abbey, who said: The war is to overthrow military brigandage in Europe. President of the United States, after two years’ study of the question, seems to believe President Wilson knows that Germany refused every overture to prevent war; organised atrocities in Belgium; sank' the Lusitania; murdered Captain Fryatt; and connived at the Armenian massacres; yet he opines that the nations leagued to disarm this evil domonias have the same aim as the perpetrators of these historic crimes President Wilson, in a fit of mental aberration, sent the wrong Note, or entirely misapprehended the European situation. PAN-GERMAN VIEWS, Amsterdam, Dec. 35. German press indicates that President Wilson’s Note is by pan-Germans, who affect a desire to continue the war with intensified frightfulnsss. They declare that America desires to save the .AngloSaxons by influencing Germany, snatching away her prize of victory. On the other hamL the Chancellor’s supporters see no fundamental differences between Germany’s and President Wilson’s proposals. 1 ADHERENCE OF REPUBLICS. Rome, December 25. Brazil, Argentine, and Chili have adhered to President Wilson’s Note.