Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-15
AND LONDON
PAPERS JEER OFFER
Of PEACE BY KAISER
Internal and External Effect
of Peace Proposal Thought
to Be Motive for Germany'S
clay
(By Associated Press. }

(By Associated PTess.)
PARIS, Dec. 13.-The offer of peace
of Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg
Is received with a chorus of derision in
the French press. The newspapers are
unanimous that it is an admission that
the situation is getting critical in Ger
many and that the chancellor wants a
way out before it is too late. His move
Is considered to have the additional ad-
vantage that, in the event of it's fall
ing, it will enable him to throw the
blame for the continuation of the war
ond the allies, which he hopes will have
a moral effect on Germany and the neu-
trail nations.
"A clumsy trap" is the caption under
which the morning papers print Chan
cellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg' speech
in the reichstag. THE time for feints is
over" says the Petit Journal.
eve are no longer in the presence of
the trial efforts Of those persistent APP
peaIs to interviewers and newspaper ar
ticles Chancellor Won Hollweg sum-
moned the reichstag not to hear his
speech but to be confronted with an act.
We do not know if at Berlin there are
people so naive as TO imagine that the
allies are likely to swallow this clumsy
bait, even on the morrow of the events
in Rumania. IN any case Field Marshal
Won Hindenburg's statement shows that
the military CNGTlSn no SuCll 1llNSlOi
What is still more certain is that the
treacherous German move aims at some
thing else than genuine peace. 1t seeks
an internal and external effect. In Ger
many 1t Is intended to convince the peo-
pie that the government is not respon-
sible for the sacrifices imposed and that
it's adversaries alone are responsible for
the continuation of the struggle. Abroad
it desires to persuade neutrals that the
81 nOlinu nf arOhi-
ton. That is the explanation of the
pretended moderation in the tone of the
speech.
WEAKNESS EMPHASIZED.
The speech merely emphasized essen
tial weakness which temporary sue
cesses cannot hide, the Petit journal
continues. at is because Germany knows
she cannot win that she desires to end
the war. Her plan, however, is doomed.
1t will fail before the immovable reso-
luton of the allies"
The Matin characterizes the peace pro-
posals as mere talk" saying.
They contain no territorial, political
or other condition which could serve as
a basis for discussion Germany simp-
ly says for the hundredth time she never
desired war and wishes only to protect
her rights, and that if her enemies will
not listen she will throw the blame of
further bloodshed on them. The device
is too obvious. 1t could not deceive any
but the most ignorant
Another motive is the necessity of
making Germany accept the sufferings
and sacrifices of another winter cam
paign. If only the civilian population
had endured this not much harm would
be done, but the army is beginning to
feel the strain. During the last few
weeks rations have been reduced, and
i'm 1nOnthS' rirOa fhpU will h.s
poor indeed. Germany is compelled to
talk of peace, but she does it as vague
ly as possible in the hope of spreading
dissensior among her enemies and keep
ing her coalition together"
In an article in the Figaro, Alfred
Capus, dramatist and member of the
French academy, writes:
What of the conditions? What is the
whole thing for? We want peace too
but our peace is not theirs. What then,
are Germany's conditions? Nothing pre-
else. She informs us only that her pre-
tensions are moderate, and proposes to
us to stop the war while she defines
them. AS soon as we lay down our
arms, as soon as the image of peace
shall have done it's work of disturbing
our minds and peace party shall have
been formed in France, Russia and Eng
land, then Germany will enlighten us on
the cOnulllOllS WHICH SnG now Calls MOD
crate. Such is the trap. 1t will bo met
by US and by our allies with grim CON
tempt, not even with anger. The ma
neuver is too clumsy to be worthy OF
indignation"
The French government has as yet
received no official notice of Germany'a
peace note to neutrals.
OBJECTS OF MOVE
If reply is made to the German note
it will be only after consultation with
the allies of France and such CONVEX
satiOns would require considerable time
Inquiry in responsible quarters today
elected the opinion that Germany's sug-
gestion is a maneuver designed, first,
for effect at home; second, to impress
neutrals; third, as a test of public opin-
ion in belligerent countries, with the
chance of some reaction there.
Germany's suggestion is rejected IN
authoritative quarters, where it is con-
sidered to be a repetition in more con
crete form of the peace discussions
originating in Berlin from time to time
in the last fifteen months.
Impudent Old Peace Trick,
Co,to opdoo NoiI, Mail