The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1916-12-22

'NAS AciC6aph eOhpdus iioin hSIO-
grad says:
1.-The duma has unanimously passed
resolution against the acceptance Of
the German peace proposals after a
spirited speech by the minister of for
eign affairs"
Stand Taken by Duma.
The text of the resolution as re-
ceived here follows:
"The duma, having heard the state
ment by the minister of foreign affairs,
unanimously favors q categorical re-
fusal by the allied governments to
enter. under present conditions, into
any peace negotiations whatever.
at considers that the German pro-
posals are nothing more than fresh
proof of the weakness of the enemy
and a hypocritical act from which the
enemy expects no real success, but by
the responsibility for the war and for
what happened during 1t and to ex-
culpate itself before public opinion in
Germany.
Danger of Another War.
'"The duma considers that a prema-
period of calm but would involve the
danger of another bloody war and a re-
newal of the deplorable sacrifices by
the people. 1t considers that q lasting
peace will be possible only after q de-
cisive victory over the military power
nf no nd 1oG mi
citation by Germany of the aspiration
which makes tNr responsible for the
world war and for the horrors by which
it has been accompanied"
Plan to Reply to Note.
London, Dec. 1S.-Public opinion, as
largely occupied in discussing the brief
expression made by Andrew Bonar
Law. the government leader in the
house of commons, that the British
governments policy still was based on
adequate reparation for the past aud
security for the future"
1t is noticeable that several infiu-
entail newspapers take the view that
this leaves the way open for policy
Of not summarily refusing TO consider
the proposal and for an enunciatiOn
of the essential aims and objects for
which the entente allies are contend
Ing The Manchester Guardian. re-
flecting provincial sentiment. and the
Westminster Gazette are among the
newspapers taking this view.
Refusal II in Offensive Form.
The Westminster Gazette says IL the
German proposal takes an offensive
form and appears us If demanded by
conquerors from the vanQushed the
only reply TO the insult would be con-
temptuous silence and continues:
But If 1t is sincere we should de-
sire to answer with reasonable ey-
PLANTATION OF why our principal aims
cannot be compromised and what
kind of European system we think
necessary 10 secure the future"
Germans Demand Rights.
Berlin. Dec. 1S.-The national liberal
faction I'm the reichstag. which attempt
ed unSuccessfully TO debate the chan
cellor's peace Overtures, has addressed
communication TO him protesting
against what it terms the complete
elimination of the people as represent
ed by the reichstag in deciding both
Polish independence and peace mat
ters.
The communication complains that
the reichstag was only informed of the
steps taken in both cases after they
had been completed acts, without CIV
ing the peoples representatives an OPP
portunity either to consult, cooperate
or protest.
The protestants conclude that Ger
many's peace terms must now be set
tied definitely. since the overtures de-
clare that the four central powers gov
ernments will make proposals. leading.
in their conviction. TO lasting peace.
They point out that If these proposals
should be accepted. the German peo-
pie would be in n position of receiv-
ing peace in which they had had no
word. and demand imperatively that
the reichstag be accorded its right to
share in deciding all questions concern
ing conditions after the war.
Demand People Be Recognized.
The chancellor is reminded that he
has repeatedly called attention to the
moral greatness, unexempllfled sacri-
flee and wonderful spirit OF the German
people" and the protestants insist
that such people must have the
right in future TO express their
views through the reichstag The
communication declares that. on the
occasion of n situation so far reaching
in its consequences as the present and
no which the whole future OF the ia
therland depends, there must be rela-
ton OF confidence between the people
and the government, which has been
lacking in the past.
England Asks Pay.
London, Dec. 15.-Andrew Bonar
Law. chancellor OF the exchequer. said
in the house OF commons that no pro-
posals for peace had yet been re-
ceived by the British government from
the central powers. He added that
the entente allies required adequate
reparation for the past and adequate
security for the future