Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-20
MUSTN'T PERMIT ENEMY
TO POISON THEIR MINDS
Baron SonninO Warns People OF Italy
Against Dcceitful Moves
OF Germany.
CALLS PEACE NOTE noAsTFuL
No Confidence Felt by Allies In Sin
certify of Central Empircs-Cham-
Der Gives Government Overwhclm-
ing Vote OF Confidence.
Try A..ocia,.d Press. !

~
ROME. Monday. December Is via
P:ris. December iO.--Forcign Minister
Sonnno said in the Chamber OF Dcpu-
ties to-day that several resolutions
which had peen introduced in the cham
Der in regard to the peace proposals OF
the central powers seemed to he based
on the suppositi"n that the govern
mcnt had. OF would have concrete and
precise indications as to tho bases on
which negotiations would be opened
''Ap ] said on the day before yestcr-
day this superstition does not CORE
sDond with the facts" the Foreign
Minister continued. There is no sign
of conditions or bases for negotiations
In the euemy's Eo;c. possess no in
formation In regard to eventual con
ditions OF peace beyond the note from
the enemy which | read in the cham
Der. Should propositions be made sub
scaucntiy should consider what to
do. but i; would bc neither practical
nor proper to discuss that question to-
day Moreover. j; should be UNDER
stood clearly that no Que OF the en-
tcnte allies could talk, into considcrI-
ton any condition whatever which by
hypothesis might be eventually offered
to him under separate form.
CANNOT TELL ANYTHING
OF ANSWER OF ALLIES
I'm the public inter,s and ont OF
respect to the allied governments
cannot communicate: to you anything
whatever az to the substance OF The
answer wc shall give to the note of the
four enemy powers. The answer VIII
be published as soon as IL is drawn
UP
I'VE all wish peace and lasting
peace. But we consider lasting
pence to he \ careful settlement whose
duration depends not on the solidarity
OF the fctters with which one people
is held subject TO another. but on an
exact balance among the states. based
on respect for the principal nationali-
tics. rulcs laid down in the laws OF
nations. and reasons OF humanity and
civilization.
IF we were in tho presence OF gem
une proposals with bases Of :, nature
to satisfy the general postulates Of
civilization and Justice which | have
just mentioned. mono would reject them
abruptly. But there is nothing To show
even family that thir "a inc case. aud
there are many reasons for believing
.hc contrary.
Il do not desire TO use exaggerated
language. but the accent Of boastfulncss
and the lack OF sincerity which char
actcrizc the preamble to the cncmy'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
ing the existence. honor and free de-
velopment Of their peoples. do c"nsti
tute answer to the postulatcs we
have laid down
GIVEN ERWHELMING
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Baron Sounino appealed 10 the dcpu-
ties OF all parties in the words Of
Premier BRAND. or France not to per-
init the move OF the central powers to
poison the mind OF the people" and
urged them TO refrain from playing
the cnemy's game" by giving way to
rash or untimely manifestations which
might implant the germs Of division
and discoura lie asked them
not to vote any order OF the day which
Nigh, let Il be supposed that the at
titudc 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, i'm
plying 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 oTs 10 40.