New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-20
Sonnino Sees No lndica-
ton That Proposals
Are Genuine
GERMANY'S NOTE
CALLED iNSlNCERt
Foreign Minister Empha
sizes Fact That Rome
Stands with Allies

Rome. Dec. Is Monday. Foreign
Minister Sonnino said in the Chamber
Of DEPUTIES to-day that several reso-
lr,ions which had been introduced IN
the chamber In regard 90 the peace
prcposa!s of the Central Powers seemed
20 be based on the suppositiou that the
government had or would have con-
crete and precise indications as to the
bases on which negotiations would be
opened.
"As | said on the day before yestcr-
day. this supposition doe not coilc-
spond with the facts the foreiEh 'i'"
i.tcr continued. There is no sign o.
conditions or bases for negotiations 'h
the cnemy's note. ! possess no NOR
nation I'm REGARD 20 eventual conditions
OF peace beyond the note from the
enemy which | read in the chamber.
should propositions he made suisse
Cuentlv wc should consider what 20 do,
but 10 would he neither practical nor
proper 10 discuss that question to-day.
Moreover, IL should be understood
clearly that no one OF tho Entente Al
les could take into consideration any
condition whatever which by hypotne-
SIS might le eventually offered 10 MN
under separate form.
"Iu the public interest and out Of
respect to the Allied governments
cannot communicate 20 YOU anything
whatever as 10 the substance Of the
answer we shall give TO the note OF the
tour enemy powers. The answer Will
be published as soon as IL is drawn up.
Pleads for Lasting Peace
I'VE all wish peace, and lasting
neacc. But We consider lasting peace
10 be a careful settlement, whose dura-
ton depends not on the solidarity but
on An exact balance among the states,
based on respect for the princlpal ma
tionalities, rules laid down in the laws
Of nations and reasons or humanity
and civilization.
~ we we're in the presence Of gcnu-
me proposals, with bases OF a nature
to satisfy the general postulates OF
civilization and Justice which | have
inst mentioned. none would reject them
abrlptlv. But there is nothing 10 show
even family that this is the ease, and
there ere many reasons for believing
The contrary.
Cites Germany's Boastfuiness
Il do not desire 10 use exaggerated
language. but the accent of boastlrl-
ness and the lack Of sincerity which
characterize the preamble 10 the enc.
my's note certainly inspire no belief
that these mysterious peace conditions
which the Central Empires announce
they have the intention of exposing
later on. with the object OF guarantee
INC the existence, honor and free de-
yelopment Of their people, do consu-
tutc an answer 20 the postulates we
have laid down"
Baron Sonnino appealed TO the depu::
ties Of all parties, in the words OF
Premier BRAND of France, not 70 per-
nit the move OF the Central Powers
TO "poison the mind OF the people and
urged them 70 refrain from playing
the onemy's game" by giving way to
rash or untimely manifestations when
might implsnt the germs Of division
and diseouraeement lie asked them
not 10 veto any order Of the day which
might let Il be supposed that the stti-
tude of Italy differed from that Of her
Allies.
Amid an outburst of cheering Tor
Baron Sonnino the chamber voted the
order Of the day "pure and simple.
implying confidence In the government,
and further ordered that the Foreign
Minister'S speech be placarded through
out italy. The vote on the order Of the
day was 276 20 40.