PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1916, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

PRESIDENT WILSON'S PROPOSALS. AN INTERCHANGE OF VIEWS. Now York, December 21. An American Note, signed by Mr. Lansing, says:.—'The President lias instructed me to .suggest a course of action regarding the war wliieh he hopes your Government will consider, as it is suggested in the friendliest spirit, coming not only from a friend, lint also a representative of neutrals whose interests are seriously affected by the war, and whose concern for its early conclusion arises from the manifest necessity to determine how best to safeguard these interests. The President has long had a suggestion in his mind, but we were somewhat embarrassed to offer it at this particular time, because it may seem to have been prompted by the recent overtures made by the Central Powers. It is not suggested hy them, hut bv the IPresident, who considers that the question of peace may best be considered in connection with other proposals which have the same view. The President begs that the suggestion jiay be considered entirely upon its merits. t "The President suggests that an early occasion bo sought to ask the belligerents' views as to the terms of peace and their opinions as to arrangements which jyvill be satisfactory as a guarantee against the renewal, or the kindling of any simjlar conflict in the future. This will make it possible to frankly compare the' views. The President is indifferent regarding the means to be taken in order to accomplish this, but •he will be happy to serve, or even to take the initiative, in any way that may be acceptable. He calls attention to the fact that the objects for which the belligerents' statesmen on both sides have in mind are virtually the same as they have been stated in general terms, Each side desires to secure the rights and privileges of the weak peoples and the small Statei against aggression, also to secure tthe rights and privileges of the great belligerents. Each would be jealous o" the formation of any more rival leagues to preserve the uncertain balance of power amidst the multiplying suspicions, but ready to consider a league of nations. Before the final step can be taken, each deems it necessary to settle (he issue of the war on terms which will safeguard tb* independence, territorial integrity, political and commercial freedom of the nations involved. The United States is vitally and directly interested in measure to secure future peace, also the means to be adopted to relieve the smaller and weakei peoples of the peril of wrong and violence. The United States is ready and eager to cooperate with every influence and resource at hei command, but the war must, first be concluded. Oir the terms on which it should do concluded the United States is not at liberty to offer suggestions, but the President feels rt is his right and duty to point out his interests in the war's conclusion, lest it be too late to accomplish tha great things lying before its conclusion, lest the situation of neutrals should become intolerable, lest, above all, an injury he caused to civilisation which can never be atoned for. The President, therefore, feels justified in suggesting an immediate opportunity for comparison of views regarding the terms which must precede peace arrangements. If the contest must continue towards undefined ends by slow attrition until one group is exhausted, if millions of human lives must ?ontinue to be offered up until one side has no more to offer, a resentment will be kindled which can never cool, the hopes of peace rendered vain mid idle, and the life of the entire world profoundly affected. No nation stands outside the iiiih'.ci:ce or beyond its disturbing effects, yet the concrete objects for which the war is waged have never definitely been stated. The belligerents' leaders have stated their objects in general terms, but have never avowed the precise objects which would satisfy them. The world was left to conjecture what definite results and guarantees oi territorial changes or readjustments, and what stage of military success would bring the war to an end. It might lie that peace was nearer than they knew, that the terms were not so irreconcilable as some feared, that an interchange of views would clear the way for a conference. The President was not proposing peace, lie was not even offering mediation; he was merely proposing that soundings he taken in order to ascertain hew near they were to the haven of peace for which all mankind had an intense and increasing longing. He believed that the spirit in which he spoke and the objects for which he sought Were understood by all concerned, and confidently hoped for a response which would bring new light into the world's affairs, which would ensure'the world's peace and justice. AMERICAN NOTE CRITICISED. LANSING OUT OF HIS DEFTH. Washington, Dec. 21 Surprise and a profound sensation has been caused by Mr. Wilson's Notes. Iv is pointed out that they were prepared prior to Mr. Lloyd George's speecli. German-American papers arc dclighteu and say that Mr. Wilson has won enduring fame. The New York Times does not think the Note will do harm. It disagrees with Mr. Wilson in his opinion that the objects of all the belligerents are the same, fortunately Mi. Wilson does not offer mediation. The New York Herald sayr that the President's action will be construed in direct relation to Berlin's cry for peace. If the suspicion is unwarranted the coincidence is striking. The New York World says the request is certainly without ulterior or selfish motive, therefore it cannot be ignored. There was a further sharp decline in Wall Street. Mr. Lansing explains that the Peace Note is a preliminary to the United States asserting itself against all belligennts which invaded its rights. It is not unlikely that the United States is drawing near the verge of war. CANADIANS RESENT NOTE. Ottawa. Dec, 21 The newspapers strongly resent tho Note, as possibly assisting Germany's jDeaco movfc

A SENSATION IN LONDON. |

biting criticism | A PRO-GERMAN MANOEUVRE. Received Dec. 22, 10 p.m London, Dec. 22. President Wilson's Note caused a sennation in London, the genera] opinion being wholly unfavorable, it -be:n«, egilrded as an ill-timed attempt at inter- * ference, after .Mr. Lloyd George's de--3 cidcd refusal to entertain .jennany's" overtures. a The Times says that President Wilson's conduct is inexplicable, because ■ the whole line of the argument of the '■ Sjite contravenes the elementary facts of the origin of the war. President Wil- <' eon has placed America in an ambiguous pisition by building his intervention on t the selfish interests of America. The !r Note is resented as a pro-German manoeuvre, a*-* an attempt to obtain y notoriety by putfing forward proposals for a conference which even Germany y had not ventured to make. The Daily Mail says that President y Wilson's Note has caused the greatest 11 astonishment. It was evidently pre- ■* pared before Mr. Lloyd George's speech, and was, therefore, answered before its J delivery. The Allies' peace terms were known to all, and Mr. Lloyd 3eorge had • v made them unmistakably 'clear. ''V The Daily Mail says tho Note reached ; 8 the American Embassy in London in ,s cipher on Tuesday night. It was decoded while Mr. Lloyd George was » proclaiming Britain's terms in the House e ' of Commons. ? Washington Dee. 22. '® A resolution, strongly endorsing :Pre'J eident Wilson's Note, was introduced in the Senate by Senatoi HHeheock and ® Bent to the Foreign Relations Commitb tee, because several Senators objected n that they had insufficient time to digest 11 the Note, li e " !: THE SECRET OUT. I® PROPOSALS DUE TO MENACING PRESSURE. * ANGRY DISCUSSIONS AT VIENNA. ' h . ' (. Received Dec. 22, 0.15 p.m. *. Rome, Dec. 21. , A Vatican official, who has returned c from Vienna, states that the Teutonic pioposals were not spontaneous, but were the result of menacing popular pressure. ® Emperor Charles threatined to make a separate peace in tho event ol Germany s refusing to move, while Bulgaria and c Turkey made a similar threat if Gcrmany remained bellicose. The violent discussions which took place at the Vienna conference angered 10 the Kaiser, therefore lie refrained from e attending the Emperor 'Franz Josef's ' r funeral. ft _ is ;t PRESIDENT WILSON MERELY .j TAKES SOUNDINGS. ■ T Received Dee. 22, 5.10 p.m, Washington, Dec, 21. j. President Wilson has cabled to all r _ the belligerents and neutrals, suggesting that the opportunity is propitious , e for a comparison of the views of the belligerents regarding the terms which must precede the conclusion .if ultimate [ peaee. He emphasises that he does not ] propose peace —not even mediation—but U merely taking soundings. " PRIVATE ADVICES AT FAULT. ' Tfew York, Dec. 21. Private advices irom London state that the British censor ha suppressed s Mr. Wilson's Peace Note. There is ing tense indignation in Britain at Mr. Wiln son's action. e (The Note was cabled to New Zealand, s but was crowded out of yesterday's hsue.) e Vancouver, Dee. 21. The Tribune calls the President's plan j. a mistake, and adds: "The nation that ( [ did not- protest when Belgium was inj vaded will become known t(.-day and henceforth as the purveyor of a German peace as a profit-making manoeuvre." ,® PUERILE STATEMENTS, 1 New York, Dee. 21. „ Mr. Lansing explains that President p Wilson's Note has been written because American rights have been invaded. Tho situation i.. intolerable and cannot conj tiuue long. America is verging on war, mid is therefore entitled to know what 11 the belligerents seek, for the purpose of regulating America's futuri conduct, e , * . CAUSTIC COMMENTS. (I !' New York, Dec. 21. ' The New York Herald say. that Count s RtrnstorflPs joy over President Wilson's Note is unconcealed. Apparently this is !lu> Christmas present the Kaisei has bec.B promising to his soldiers, but will '• the joy last? Obviously it will be for liirlin to speak first, and if Berlin expects peace she must speak in terms which will strip Prussianism of its pose of victory. The World declares that tho President rrpresents the sentiments of a vast mas jority of the American peoph. B Washington. Dec. 21. j British Embassy officials aie utterly surprised at President Wilson's Note, and. emphatically state that there were no exchanges whatever through the Embassy as a preliminary. {j EFFECT ON WALL STREET. Received Dec. 22,'5.5 p.m. r New York, Dec. 21. Sensational scenes took place in Wall Stieet. There were big declines, in n stocks, particularly "war babies," due to , the President's Note. There was over three millions turnover, the second largest oil record, and many investors lost j. fortunes. h ANOTHER EXPLANATION | n " Received Dee. 22, 5.5 p.m. o Washington, Dec. 21. d There is much confusion in official ;- circles as to the interpretation of the Is reasons for President Wilson's Note, a After Mr. Lansing had issued to-day's explanation, a conference took place between the President and Mr. Lansing, who, in a supplementary statement, said: "I did not intend to intimate that the Government was considering a ehange o M its/policy as to neutrality, which it 's has consistently pursued. 1 regret my nrds are open to a net her construction,'"

FEAR OF- CLASH WITH GERMANY. ' [ A DIRECT WARNING. Received Dec. 23, 1.30 a.m. New York, Dec. 22. Tho newspapers agree that there is a mysterious meaning underlyint; Mr. Lansing's statement, and it is'generally interpreted as being fear that i clash with Germany was near. The New York Tribune considers that Mr. Lansing has wholly transformed the'eharacter of the President's action. "If we are on the verge of war, who threatens us? Did the President ask for a statement of the terms in order to decide which alliance he would join? The 'President cannot now refuse to explain." The New York World says that, despite the explanations by Mr. Lansing, the statement was no idle warning. The New York Herald is of opinion that Mr. Lansing's statement was a direct and unmistakable warning to Germany against the massacre of Americans at sea. A DRASTIC CRITICISM. AMERICA'S ALTERNATIVE. FIGHT WITH OR AGAINST ALLIES. Received Dec. 22, 11.10 p'n. London, De.\ 22. The Morning Post says America is a long way from the war contra, but the President's detachment ,ia;ses belief. It is strange that America still professes ignorance that Germany is ftghtiis: for the domination of the world, ar.il, that she intended to force terms on Russia, reduce France to the position of a vassal, and then strike at isolated England. Does President Wilson suppose that the Monroe doctrine zn.\ the American Navy would then have been sufficient to protect. North and South America? If President Wilson desires to end the war now, he must range himself on the side of i the Allies, and help to defeat Germany, or side witii Germany against the Allies, but if he is noi prepared to fight he must star/ aside and allow the war to be fought tc an issue. FEAR OF SUBMARINE ACTIVITY FOtVES WILSON'S ..AN'l; iteceived Dec. 22, 11.2J p.m Washington. 1>:, 22. Officials in close contact with -Mr. Lansing and the 'President unanimously claim that a clash between Aniericn and Germany was inevitable after the New Year, when the Kai-er's nc.v submarine licet would be ready. This was one of the chief reasons that forced the President's hand. THE POSITION ABLY DEFINED. BY SIR JOHN SIMON. j deceived Dec. 22, ~I."> p.m i London, Dec. '... In the House of Commons, Sir John Simon (ex-Home Secretary) expressed a desire to voice the whole of the I'nited Kingdom's acceptance of Mr. Lloyd George's speech. The German Note, he snid, did'not contain terms lending themselves to consideration. They were not in any way "peace proposals. Mr. Lloyd George had not slammed the door of peace, but the nation agreed that it would be an unpardonable crime to allow the war to continue one unnecessary hour, and that it would oe the deepest treachery, fighting or otherwise, tj falter in securing the essentially defensive and unaggressive objects wherefor we entered the war. ': .. j 3ERLIN ANXIOUS. AWAITING ENTENTE'S REPLY. Received Dec. 22, S p.m. Amsterdam, Dee. 22. Berlin is anxiously awaiting the Entente's formal reply. It is understood the Kaiser will soon summon ?, r r. Gerard (American Ambassador) to headquarters, with a view to communicating Germany's terms, and bringing about Spanish-American media(lion and action. l _: AN EXPLANATION Received Dec. 22, n.'i p.m. Washington, Dec. 21. Mr. Lansing later explained that the United States had no intention of departing from her neutrality at any time.