THE CENTRAL POWERS.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14588, 17 December 1917, Page 5

THE CENTRAL POWERS.

GERMANY'S PEACE FEELER.

AN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

(Reuters Telegrams.)

(Received Dec. JL6, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, Dec. 14

A German official explanation regarding Mr Balfour's statement in the House of Commons on the 11th inst. says that Germany received a communication so couched* as to warrant the belief that it was made with the knowledge of Britain; Germany was ready to answer the-inquiry, and - considered a direct verbal reply through a neutral the best course, but Germany's opponents did nothing to facilitate suph a direct reply. Mr Balfour's statement was the first news received in Germany that the Allies were ready to receive a communication from Ger^ many. No further steps had been taken by Germany.