BRITISH OPINION.

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

BRITISH OPINION.

THREE SEPARATE OVERTURES.

UNANIMOUS DISTRUST.

Proqs Association—Copyright, Aunt -T lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.5 a.m.) London, September TO.

Tiie newspapers generally ridicule the peace offers, though they point out that these show that Austria is on her last legs. There are really three separate overtures apart from the Austrian olive branch.

Germany proposes that all the Powers should withdraw their troops from the Mununn Coast, which ■is a trick, lying in the fact that the Allies are well established on the Merman Coast, while no Germans are within many miles.

The second effort is a definite peace offer to Belgium, and includes no indemnity. no reparation, and only the cessation of hostilities and evaeuath|n if Belgium consents to remain mm 1 - tral to the end of the war. Germany realises that she must soon withdraw from Beljgimn, and if Germany can obtain a treaty which bars Belgain territory to the Allies’ troops and aircraft. she. will add enormously to the difficulties' of attacks against German territory and the cities.

One. of the strangest proposals is the suggestion that much-injured 1 Belgium should act as a sort of lived i- ! a tor between her present Allies and Germany, with the ohioct of securing the restoration of the German colonies. The consideration offered Belgium is the re-establishment of her ♦ economic and political independence after the, war, and the old economic treaties with Germany will he renewed. The proposal adds that the Flemish question must he considered, and the Flemish minority, which aided the German invaders, shall not he penalised. The Daily Chronicle’s Amsterdam correspondent writes: The Austrian proposal for a peace conference was -first seriously considered at the reeent imposing meeting at German Headquarters; indeed, it was the only subject discussed at any length; the Austrian, demand for peace proposals being so insistent-that the German Government had to give, its unwilling :consent. The Germans ■ also acted in tire liopfi that-such, aqight have an effect upon, -the Entente pacifists, whom the German Government credit with having great influence; they also thought 'that r the< proposal might have an effect on the British general election. Knowing that the AustroHungarian proposal was, coming, the German Government set about the task of querying whatever chance such a step might have. After a long conversation at headquarters, the terms of Ton Payer’s speech were fixed with a solid hack-hone of pan-Gertnaii-ierni -Von Payer talked ■ .about.,,.Aftl-v igium’s guilt. His assertion that Germany was the attacked, party,., ; and the proposal that the’ Entitle should not interfere with, the,, Brest, Litovsk peace, make the Austro- Hungs nan move useless. Tim' Kaiser s■. Ffet-an u. pomposity and insufferable arrogance at .Essen show-the insincerity of the whole business. The Daily Telegraph states; the Austrian proposals are absurd an insincere. Their real object is to gam Mine for tlie reorganisation of their shattered forces: Accordingly, Aus-tro-Germany is casting a hone o < outention, hoping to create a division o feeling in Allied circles; AVe must/ first find a repentant and contrite Germany before she can hope to enter the council chamber and discuss

peace. rr . The Daily Chronicle says; Thiee closely-related incidents at the weekend reveal more vividly even than the Kaiser’s hectic* oration, the changed mentality of our enemies owing to the influence of the Allied victories.. It is certain that all three proposals will be rejected ; and that they were mape in concurrency is proof that ceitain Empires are in a very bad way. Die free nations of the world are determined to hold together until the sinister menace of militarism is finally removed and the prestige of Germany shattered.. ~ , The Daily Express states; They that have drawn the sword are Seeking to save themselves from perishing U the sword. There can be no peace until Germany admits her offences against civilisation. While she wants to shake hands and.be friends, her U-boats sink the Galway Castle and the crew and passengers are added to a long list of murdered civilians. The” Daily News remarks: 'Responsible sober-minded men should face squarely the Austrian proposals. Those most convinced by the enemy secret diplomacy must bo constrained to admit that peace will never be achieved through interchanges launched across continents from public platforms. There is no solid ground on which statesmen are sincere y zealous for peace. Wo «m I"** reject the Austrian proposals. 1M Allies have everything to gam and nothing to lose by the discussion.

MR BALFOUR QUITE SATISFIED.

Press Association— Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, j (Received 9.55 a.m.) j London, September 16. j Mr Balfour, speaking as an individual member of the Cabinet, said he saw not the slightest hope of.peace being reached through the Austrian proposals.

“SURE V*

UNITED STATES REJECTION.

Press AfiP^'-iatimi— Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.- ; ■ (Received 9.10 a.m.) London, September 36. The United Press Washington correspondent learns op, high authority

that tli© Government will reject the

Austrian peace proposals

MR TAFT LAUGHS.

Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.-55 a.m.) Washington, September 16. Mr Taft, commenting on the Austrian peace proposals, said they are not only laughable but ridiculous. |

AMERICAN PRESS NOTICES.

I (Press Association—Oopyngut. Austn*i liun and N.Z. Cable Association (Received 10.30 a.m.) v New York, September 16. ! TSie New York Times, commenting I' on the Austrian peace offer, says: The offer comes in a form which the Allies may honorably accept, in the confident belief that it will lead to the end of the-Twar. The practice and custom of Nations demand that this felicitation he received with the most j serious respect and attention by the | Governments to whom it is addressed, j The Herald says; The peace offer Peonies sooner than expected. Austria ! is- the catspaw of Germany. The ! Allies’ answer must be a decisive negative. A peace conference will be possible only after the Central Powers are decisively defeated. The World declares that Vienna sent the proposal for a peace conference, which will not be more favorably received than the previous proposals. ■Negotiations arc impossible while the responsible leaders of the Prussian militarists are almost ns boastful and .false as ever. The New York Tribune, commenting on the peace offer, says: The answer to Austria is ready in President Wilson’s speech when he said “Force., force to the utmost, without stint or limit.” The large majority of fresh comment throughout the country may he summarised as—The Austro-Germans and their Allies must he beaten until they surrender unconditionally. The Times’ Washington correspondent says: Force without stint until victory is achieved, and the rejection of the Vienna overtures will be America’s response.

Officials arc awaiting the, receipt of Austria’s iiiessnge before conjmpnting'. The majority of member* of' Congress who were interviewed said that this is no time for a peace 1 conference. The Central Powers must be forced •to unconditional. surrender.