Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-12-14
THURSDAY, DECEMBER IA, 1915.
Would End Great Struggle.
Germany Makes Overture Thro
United States. Spain and
Switzerland.

Germany and her allies have proposed
to enter into peace negotiations, this fact
having been made public Tuesday of this
week. The following has been given out:
Berlin, Dec. 12.-'"The Chancellor, Won
Bethmann- Hollweg, this morning receiv-
ed one after another of the representa-
tives of the United States of America
and Spain and Switzerland-th is, OF
the states protecting German interests
in hostile foreign countries. The Chan
cellor transmitted to them a note and
asked them to bring it the knowledge OF
the hostile governments.
"In the note the four allied (Central)
powers propose to enter forthwith on
peace negotiations. The propositions
which they bring for such neg citations
are, according to their firm belief, appro-
pirate for the establishment of lasting
peace"
Following is the text of the note ad-
dressed by Germany and her allies to the
hostile governments:
1.-THE most terrific war ever experience
ed in history has been raging for the last
two years and half over large part
of the world-a catastrophe which thous-
ands of years of common civilization was
unable to prevent, and which Injuries the
most precious achievements of humanity.
"Our aims are not to shatter nor an
initiate our adversaries. In spite of our
consciousness of our military and eco
nomic strength and our readiness to on
tinue the war (which has been forced
upon us) until the bitter end, if neces-
sary; at the same time prompted by the
desire to avoid further bloodshed and
make an end to the atrocities of war, the
four Allied Powers propose to enter
forthwith into peace negotiations.
1.-The propositions which they bring
forward for such negotiations and which
have for their object guarantee of the
existence, of the honor and liberty OF
evolution for their nations are, according
to their belief, an appropriate basis for
the establishment of lasting peace.
1.-The four Allied Powers have been
obliged to take up arms to defend justice
and the liberty of national evolution.
The glorious deeds of our armies have in
no way altered their purpose. We always
maintained the firm belief that our own
rights and justified claims in no way con-
troll the rights of these nations.
1.-THE spiritual and material progress
which were the pride of Europe at the
beginning of the twentieth century are
threatened with ruin. Germany and her
allies Austria Hungary, Bulgaria and
Turkey-gave proof of their unconquer-
able strength in this struggle. They
gained gigantic advantages oyer adver-
saries superior in number and war ma
terial. Our lines stand mistaken against
ever-repeated attempts made by armies.
"The last attack in the Balkans has
been rapidly and VIGOROUSLY overcome.
The most recent events have demonstra-
ed that further continuance of the war
will not result in breaking the resistance
of our forces, and the whole situation
with regard to our troops justifies our
expectation of further successes.
eff in spite of this offer of peace and
reconciliation the struggle should go on,
the four Allied Powers are resolved to
continue to a victorious end, but they
disclaim responsibility for this before
humanity and history. The Imperial
Government, through the good Offices of
your ExceIlency, ask the Government
there is inserted the name of the neutral
power addressed in each instance) to
bring this communication to the know
ledge of the Government (here are in
serted the name of the name of the bel
llgerent)."