The sun., 1916-12-16
PEACE OFFER BASED
ON CONCRETE PLANS
Reichstag Caucus Declares
Conditions, However. Are
Not Known.

BERLIN, by wireless. Dec. ia cau-
Gus Of the Conservative party In the
Reichstag adopted a resolution, published
to-day, declaring that the peace OFFER
made by the Central Powers Is based on
a programme Of concrete peace condi-
tions. These conditions are unknown. the
resolution continued. but It adds that It
is evident no negotiations will be carried
on In order to obtain "peace at any price.
but the conditions planned should guar
antee a peace which will safeguard Ger
many's future" The preamble to the
resolution declares that the peace offer IL
matter OF the highest historical i'm
portance"
The resolution recalls the feeling OF
self-reliance expressed In the slmultane-
GUS orders to the army and navy, and
declares that it Is probable that the En-
tente, nevertheless. will interpret the
peace offer as sign of weakness. The
Conservative party. II adds. had sug-
gested that the whole Reichstag add to
the announcement of the peace offer a
demonstration Of an unfiinching will to
win. which certainly would have been
expressed by all parties. with the posi-.
OF the Socialists.
Hope of Conservatives
The resolution then recalls the an
nouncement OF tho Imperial Chancellor
that the German nation through its
chosen representatives will have an op-
portun!ty to take a definite stand on the
question OF the aims Of the war, and
concludes by stating that the Conserva-
tive party expects that the advantage
gained by the blood Of our brave troops
will be made the basis Of peace. which.
according to human understanding. will
guarantee tho military. economic and
financial future OF our country"
The Ta0ss Zcitun0 declares that the
whole nation understands that II IL the
wish OF the Emperor to give peace to
Germany as soon as possible. II recalls
that few days ago II still protested
against premature peace. but admits
that the extraordinary military successes
In the meantime have diminished these
objections. The newspaper adds that the
Chancellor in some places in his speech
used strong expressions, but says that
perhaps II would have been better had
he insisted more strongly that this peace
offer Is made by the victors.
The Tacglische Rundschdu recalls the
answers made by Entente spokesmen on
former occasions when the German au-
thorities mentioned their readiness 10
enter into peace negotiations.
I'm the London Times the other day"
II says. Gen. Joffre replied by asking
what was the present situation OF Ger
many's financial and Industrial life.
These answers are so different from the
wishes OF the German pacifsts that the
rejection OF the peace offer would con-
vince these circles OF that fact and
strengthen the union OF all Germans"
The Conservative Rreu. Zeitun0 says I.
I'VE do not think II altogether impos-
sible that the Entente Allies In some
way or another will accept the peace
offer. For 1t il no secret that the
statesmen Of the Entente must also take
into account the weariness with the war,
which may not be equally manifest
everywhere, but which tends to increase
, everywhere"
The Catholic Gcrmanin dilates upon
the excellent condition OF the military
situation and expresses satisfaction that
the note OF the Central Powers was also
brought to the attention of the Holy See.
Not = Sign Of weakness.
The Tdoebldt says it is apparent
from recent utterances In hostile coun-
tries that sensible persons there under
stand 1t Is impossible to regard the peace
proposal OF the Central Powers as a sign
OF weakness. but adds that other per-
sons In those countries oppose "prema-
ture peace" Balancing these two ten
dencies. the TdgebIdtt says:
"Can Lloyd George have turned from
sober statesman TO a gambler? Can
hc have forgotten that craftsmanship is
the art of possibilities II Lloyd George
and his colleagues forget this. they
! themselves and their nations will have
I 20 suffer the consequences"
! Warning the public not 10 ne toe
| sanguine. this newspaper continues:
1T may be that a negative answer Is
Selng prepared for the messenger OF
pea,c. but the hour must come when the
! great mas2ss Of tlsose who are In r-t.ers
! will regain freedom OF speech anl free.
| - cm of movement"
The Vossiche Zeitung says: lone
would thri; common sense must promp,
| the Powers at war with us at least Ia
/ inquire what our peace conditions are
! Their character has been outlined by
the Chancellor. who said tho agreemen,
must safeguard the existence. honor and
| liberty OF development Of the Central
European nations. and that II also mus,
guarantee a lasting peace. This means
that the conditions could not be of such
a nature as to offend the dignity OF
other nations"