Peace Talk

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 29, 31 December 1917, Page 5

Peace Talk

PRESS OPINION.

Press Association— Copyright, Austra-

lian and N.Z. Cable Association

Washington, December 28

Count Czernin’s offer is regarded as a war feeler. The administration does not modify its attitude of refusing to deal with the German Government.

The newspapers unanimously reject the proposals. The New York Times says that the first condition of peace is that Prussianism must for ever be renounced, and that Germany must cease to he- an international peril. The Allies’ determination is irrevocable.

The New York World states that Germany makes the offer while hiding behind her vassal and the Petrograd mob. It is tantamount to an acknowledgement of a temporary defeat.

The New York Herald refers scrathiugly to the farce at Brest Litovsk. English newspapers emphasise that the Austro-German offer is nominally addressed to Russia, but is actually intended for the Allies. Already Russia is out of the war, while. Austria and Germany are in sore straits. Their own newspapers admit that thousands must die this winter of starvation, therefore the peace offer is genuine, but unsatisfactory. The Allies are thinking about vistory, not peace. The enemy accepts restitution, but refuses reparation, and clouds other vital issues.

The Daily News says that if the Russians seek the Allied views, the Allies should seize the opportunity of making a candid, reasoned statement of war aims and peace terms.

The Daily Express considers that an authoritative Allied reply might demonstrate to the German people that the Allies do not wish their destruction, or to hinder their development, or to threaten their independence. When they once understand what is the real Allied intention, the people themselves will complete the destruction of militarism.

The Daily Chronicle says that Germany, by demanding- the return of her colonies, doubtless hopes to engage Russia in a joint pressure upon England. The offer is intended for the Allies, especially America, at a time, when there are threats and warnings of tremendous German efforts -on the West front, hut that they are probably only the fore-runner of more formal proposals.

FRENCH OPINION. Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association Paris, December 29. M. Pichon. speaking in the Chamber of Deputies, said the. Allies only desired to obtain a guarantee, for a durable peace by international agreement. We will consider the war won only u heli the German people cell us they are ready to accept a peace based on justice an (Reparation for wrongs done. The French Government refused to negotiate on the terms offered by Germany to Russia, as it was impossible to accept such conditions as the restoration of the status quo, without indemnity and reparation, and the maintenance of the economic regime existing before the war.