Peace Talk

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 44, 17 September 1918, Page 5

Peace Talk

AN OFFER TO BELGIUM. COOL CHEEK OF THE HUN. UNTHINKABLE PROPOSALS. ... . (The Times).- ’ ■Tiqu;lon. September 15. Germany tias definitely oljerocl Belgium peace-911 the following tei.ms‘(1) Reinforcement. of., the B’ernmn,Belgian copineraial, treaties alter,the war for -an-inrliUiqitjt.poivo.d- . , (2) Belgium to. .einleayour to cdiivince the AUIOT Governments of the. necessity for returning German col- . onies. . t ,'(3) Belgium immediately to' resume neutrality,- if she accepts. (4) The Fleming question to. he considered. AUStRO-HUNCARJAH MOVE NOTE TO.ALL BELLIGERENTS. S.PECIOUS. AP.GUMENTS. Press ABWH?vation--C(./pyright 1 Austi Han ahd 'NTZ. Gable Assoeiatm - Vienna, September 15. An official message states that, with a view to examining whether conditions such as niake the inauguration of pence negotiations .appear promising,.. the Austro-Hungarian Goveynments to a confidential, non-binding discussion at an early date, at a neutral centre. A special note lias also been s.eht to the Holy See, bringing this action to its notice, and appealing to the Pope’? interest in peace. The note says that a conscientious examination of the situation of all the belligerents no longer leaves a doubt that they all long for a- speedy end of the bloody struggle. Hitherto it has i not been possible to create prelhniuaiy conditions calculated to- bring efloits nearer’’realization and bridge the gap. separating th© belligerents. It reviews the previous peace efforts; - and adds that though the discussions may prove - that the differences separating the belligerents’ conceptions .of peace conditions are not slight, nevertheless an' atmosphere can be formed which no longer excludes the dismission of peace. The - .Austro-Hungarian Government is conscious'that after the deva stating war it will be impossible to re-estab-lish the'.tottering world in order by a single' stroke. - The path of peace will. be toilsome and wearisome, yet it is our duty to tread it. Even if a military victory were attainable, it would necessitate a further protracted and (bloody struggle'; but even then a , victorious peace would no longer be able to make good the consequences of such a policy, which would be fatal to the whole of Europe. The only one peace which could righteously adjust the still divergent conceptions of the opponents would he the peace desired by all- peoples. With’this consciousness and unswervingly endeavouring to labour in thor interests of peace, the Austro-Hungar-ian Government seeks to bring about a direct discussion between enemy Powers:. The earnest will to peace of the-broad classes of the population, of all’the States suffering from the war is indisputable;. ’ A ’ rappyochemcnt ip. individual controversial questions, as well - ai a more conciliatory atmosphere seems to give a certain guarantee that fresh peace offers might at present offer, a possibility of success. A partial turning from many extremist views to concrete war amis has hecoTne visible, and a certain agreement ’relative to the basic principles 0 world-peace has manifested, itself in

support of a growing spirit towards peace.

The message points out that, while the Allies may reply, President AVilson has made demands amounting to the dismemberment of • Austro-Hungary, the diminution' and profound internal transformation of Germany, and the destruction of Turkey’s European ownership A These demands, - the '-.realisation' of’ which was based on the sup-

position of over-whelming victory, were later, modified in many Entente declarations', .or partly dropped. It quotqs Mrt Balfour’s and Air Lloyd George’s speeches in support of this view. ■ ’ ' ■' ‘

. Affer -asserting that the Central Powers are-only-.waging a war of de’fence for the - integrity and security of their territories, the note proceeds to say that an: agreement on general principles will not ••..suffice. It is, a matter of reaching an-accord on their interpretation and .-application to .individual, concrete war and peace questions. ■ There is no serious prospect of reaching an understanding by continuing .'to discuss peace by. the methods hitherto followed. Another method shPiild rbev chosen, which will enable a direct’ verbal dismssion,. solely between the; representatives of the Governments. - •As- ■ soon as an. agreement is reached On fundamental .principles, an. effort must he made to concretely apply'-them to individual peace questiOns... ■.. }f •_ -/ - note-explains that war .activities would not he interrupted, and,that the discissions would only go as far as the participants considered .they offered prospects -of success. The note maintains that the old misunderstandings might he 1 eino' ed arid many new things perceived. All the belligerents owe it to humanity jointly to, examine whether, after such a' costly, .undecided struggle, it is possible .to - end the terrible, conflict. The note further states that the Go-vernments-of neutral States have also been acquainted with the proposal. The note is in close accord with the existing four allied Powers, and warrants, the assumption that AusiroHungary’s allies, whereto the proposal ,is being sent, will share the view : expressed in the note.

BEWARE, THE WILY HUN!

NEED FOR ALLIED CAUTION.

('reap Aasociatior; —ITopyright, Anstm )j 3n and N.Z. Cable Association^ London, September 15. " There is little doubt that Germany is behind the Adrian peace movement. • It is, doubtless, the firstj of Tnaiiv attempts to jockey the * •into; an “unfavourable position, {»ncl bolster up. the German, people with the idea" -that : the Allies rejected thenpeace. offers.. . A diplomatic- authority points out that the eueniy knows perfectly well what; our minimum terms are. The Daily Express,,, says that Germany' has approached Belgium, proposing that she remain neutral until the nud of the, war and use her good offices ■to secure the return of tic German colonies. Another message states that be - mapv offers Belgium cessation of hostilities and the evacuation of Belgium if-she will consent to neutrality, thus barring Belgium to the Allied troops.