THE PEACE OFFENSIVE.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14870, 19 September 1918, Page 5

THE PEACE OFFENSIVE.

AMERICA'S REPLY TO AUSTRIA.

PROPOSAL NOT ENTERTAINED

REPLY GENERALLY ENDORSED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association}

Washington, Sept. 16. The Secretary of State, Mr Landing, has issued the following statement:—"l am authorised by the President to state that the following will be the reply of this Government to the Austro-Hungarian Note proposing an official conference of the belligerents-;— The Government of the United States feels that there is only one reply which it tan make to the suggestion of the Imperial Axistro-Hun-garian Government. It has repeatedly and with entire candour stated the terms upon which the United States' would consider peace, and it can and will entertain no proposal for a conference upon a matter concerning which it has made its position and pur- j pose plain." . . I President Wilson's reply was announced immediately after the United States received the Austria^Note. Officials, Senators and. Congressmen warmly endorse President Wilson's reply. The newspapers also support the President's attitude. Senator Chamberlain, chairman of the Senate Military-Committee, stated that the time was not ripe for consideration of peace. The war must be'

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fought out until the enemy were decisively beaten. Senator Weeks said :—"The Central Powers are now coming to the Allies and crying for peace. ' They are beginning to waver; but England, France and America will demand unconditional surrender.' '. - Senator -Branden stated:—"We will first thrash the bully of Europe. After then we can talk of peace."

Senator Lodge, the ■ Republican Leader, expressed his unqualified endorsement of President Wilson's curt refusal to discuss peace. He said that Germany must abide by the decision of the sword to which she appealed. She cannot be allowed now to bargain for a decision. Germany must discover that free and law-abiding peoples.must for the future be allowed to be free and law-abiding, living their lives peaceably.' The United States' asked no more than this, and would not be content with less